How much glucose should be in urine

If you have a moderate or high amount of glucose in your urine, your doctor will perform further testing to determine the underlying cause.

When left untreated, diabetes can lead to long-term complications, including kidney failure and nerve damage. A urine glucose test used to be performed to check for diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes could use the urine glucose test as a way of monitoring the degree of sugar control, or efficacy of treatments.

Urine tests were once the main type of testing used to measure glucose levels in people who potentially had diabetes. However, they are less common now that blood tests have become more accurate and easier to use. In some cases, your doctor may order a urine test to check for kidney problems or a urinary tract infection UTI. Certain medications can affect your test results. However, you should never stop taking your medications unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Your doctor will perform the urine glucose test in their office or at a diagnostic laboratory. A doctor or lab technician will give you a plastic cup with a lid on it and ask you to provide a urine sample. When you get to the bathroom, wash your hands and use a moist towelette to clean the area around your genitals. Let a small stream of urine flow into the toilet to clear the urinary tract. Then place the cup under the stream of urine.

Carefully place the lid on the cup, making sure not to touch the inside of the cup. Give the sample to the appropriate person. They will use a device called a dipstick to measure your glucose levels. Dipstick tests can usually be performed on the spot, so you may be able to receive your results within several minutes. The normal amount of glucose in urine is 0 to 0.

A higher measurement could be a sign of a health problem. Diabetes is the most common cause of elevated glucose levels. Your doctor will perform a simple blood test to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, a high amount of glucose in urine can be due to pregnancy. Women who already have increased levels of glucose in their urine should be carefully screened for gestational diabetes if they become pregnant.

Elevated levels of glucose in urine may also be a result of renal glycosuria. This is a rare condition in which the kidneys release glucose into the urine. Renal glycosuria can cause urine glucose levels to be high even if blood glucose levels are normal.

If the results of your urine glucose test are abnormal, your doctor will do further testing to identify the cause. Some medications can interfere with glucose levels in the blood and urine. The most common cause of high levels of glucose in the urine is diabetes. It is a simple, routine procedure carried out at all medical institutions like laboratories, hospitals, and private practices.

The urine glucose test specifically looks for glucose in urine and is also called the urinary glucose dipstick test. The process involves dipping a specialized plastic stick into your urine sample. The plastic stick or the dipstick has chemicals in it and changes color based on the presence or absence of glucose, and also on the amount of glucose present in case glucose is detected in the sample.

Supposing the dipstick's color change hints at a moderate or high amount of glucose, your doctor will suggest a further panel of tests to help him diagnose the condition. Urine tests are very simple and cost-effective methods of testing. The urine glucose test involves very minimal effort, and all you need to do is provide the sample. Be sure to drink a sufficient amount of water before the test to be able to provide a decent quantity of your urine.

In case you have other medical problems, your doctor might suggest the insertion of a catheter to help you get the urine sample. Though this might be uncomfortable, it ensures better sterility of your sample. Be sure to use the container provided by the laboratory in the toilet. Once you have collected the urine sample in the cup, make sure you seal it and put it in the designated bag that contains your details. You must let your physician know if you're on any prescription or over-the-counter medications, and your detailed medical and surgical history before testing.

The normal range of glucose in your urine is between 0 and 0. There could be variations in these values based on different times of the day, specifically after having had a heavy meal.

However, any persistent values higher than this range could indicate an underlying problem. Depending on the quantity of sugar in urine, your doctor might request further testing to ascertain your problem. As discussed earlier, abnormal results can be seen in individuals suffering from diabetes, gestational diabetes, kidney disorders, and inherited or hereditary disorders.

Your outlook with glycosuria depends on what factors may be causing it. If there are no other diseases present, symptoms or complications will be rare. If diabetes or chronic kidney disease are contributing to the glucose in your urine, however, you will need to be monitored by your healthcare provider since complications could develop if these diseases progress.

Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can lead to other complications like:. Glycosuria may not be cause for any concern. Discuss with your healthcare provider any treatment options that are appropriate for you and any lifestyle changes that can help to prevent complications. We know healthy eating is key to help manage diabetes, but that doesn't make it easy. Our free nutrition guide is here to help. Sign up and receive your free copy!

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Sci Rep. Familial renal glycosuria and modifications of glucose renal excretion. Diabetes Metab. Alto WA. J Fam Pract. Roberts JR. Urine dipstick testing: everything you need to know. Emergency Medicine News. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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