The key difference between FBS RBS and GRBS is that FBS (fasting blood sugar) is a test carried out after a certain time period of fasting, usually overnight, while RBS (random blood sugar) and GRBS (general random blood sugar) are tests carried out at any time of the day without fasting.
The body requires glucose for energy. The hormone insulin controls the storing and releasing of blood glucose at optimum levels. The alteration in the production of insulin in the body results in diabetes. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and random blood sugar (RBS) are two types of tests that determine the glucose level of blood in the body. GRBS (general random blood sugar) is another name for RBS.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is FBS or Fasting Blood Sugar
3. What is RBS or Random Blood Sugar
4. Similarities Between FBS RBS and GRBS
5. Side by Side Comparison – FBS vs RBS vs GRBS in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is FBS?
Fasting blood sugar or FBS is a test to determine the glucose or sugar level in the blood after a certain period of a fast. FBS is a common test to detect diabetes mellitus. It is done using a blood sample, usually taken in the morning after an overnight fast and before one has eaten. The FBS normal range is 70 to 100 mg/dl. FBS level between 100 to 125 mg/dl is diagnosed as pre-diabetes. FBS level 126 mg/dl and above is referred to as insulin resistance or diabetes, also known as hyperglycemia. Lower levels of glucose lead to hypoglycemia.
Figure 01: Blood Glucose Testing
FBS depends on three factors: the content of one’s previous meal, the size of one’s previous meal and the body’s ability to produce insulin and respond to it. Different FBS testing times give different results. They are affected by factors like food intake, stress levels, medications and exercises. Regular exercise leads to lower glucose levels.
What is RBS or GRBS?
Random blood sugar or RBS is also known as general random blood sugar (GRBS). Both refer to a test to determine the glucose level of blood in a non-fasting person at any time of the day. RBS is done without a fast, and therefore it has a higher reference value. The RBS normal range is 80 to 140 mg/dl. The RBS level between 140 to 200 mg/dl is considered pre-diabetes. The RBS value of 200mg/dl or above indicates diabetes (hyperglycemia).
Figure 02: Hyperglycemia
Lower levels of glucose cause hypoglycemia. Regular exercise leads to lower glucose levels. RBS also depends on factors such as food intake, stress, medication, and exercise.
What are the Similarities Between FBS and RBS?
- FBS and RBS are two types of tests to determine the glucose level in the blood.
- Both tests depend on the hormone insulin.
- They are done using a blood sample.
- High values of FBS and RBS cause conditions such as heart attack, strokes, Cushing’s syndrome, and excess production of growth hormone, etc.
- Low values of FBS and RBS cause conditions such as Addison’s disease, Hypothyroidism, tumours, cirrhosis, kidney failure and anorexia, etc.
- Both FBS and RBS depend on food intake, stress, medications, and exercise.
What is the Difference Between FBS RBS and GRBS?
FBS test is carried out after a certain period of a fast, while RBS/GRBS is carried out at any time of the day without fasting. So, this is the key difference between FBS RBS and GRBS. Moreover, another difference between FBS RBS and GRBS is that the normal range of FBS is 70 – 100 mg/dl, while the normal range of RBS or GRBS is 80 – 140 mg/dl.
Below is a summary of the difference between FBS RBS and GRBS in tabular form.
Summary – FBS vs RBS vs GRBS
FBS is a test to determine the glucose or sugar level in the blood after a certain period of a fast. RBS is a test to determine the glucose level of blood of a non-fasting person at any time of the day.GRBS (general random blood sugar) is another name for RBS. The hormone insulin controls the storing and releasing of blood glucose. Therefore, FBS and RBS values depend on the function of insulin. Both FBS and RBS values are controlled by exercise and the control in food intake. High levels of FBS and RBS lead to hyperglycemia, and low levels lead to hypoglycemia. Thus, this summarizes the difference between FBS RBS and GRBS.
Reference:
1. Fasting blood sugar: Normal levels and testing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2021, Available here.
2. Portea Medical, & Dr. Udaya Kumar Maiya (MBBS, M. (n.d.). Healthcare at HOMME – home medical care. Retrieved May 05, 2021, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blood Glucose Testing” By David-i98 (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hyperglycemia” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia