What defines a 2-hour postprandial glucose level indicative of diabetes?

A 2-hour postprandial glucose level greater than 200 mg/dL is indicative of diabetes. This value is established by the American Diabetes Association and serves as a critical diagnostic criterion for the condition. The 2-hour postprandial test measures blood glucose levels two hours after eating, reflecting how well the body manages glucose following a meal. A level exceeding 200 mg/dL demonstrates that the pancreas is not producing enough insulin or that the body is not effectively using insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.

The thresholds for diagnosing diabetes reflect increasing degrees of dysglycemia and help in identifying individuals at risk for complications associated with diabetes. While values below this threshold may suggest impaired glucose tolerance or normal glucose metabolism, it is specifically the threshold of greater than 200 mg/dL that confirms diabetes diagnosis.