Urine Glucose (U-GLU)

What is Urine Glucose?

Urine glucose measures sugar levels in your urine. Normally, kidneys filter glucose out and reabsorb it back into the blood, so healthy kidneys shouldn’t allow glucose to appear in urine. Its presence often indicates blood sugar control problems.

Why is it Tested?

Healthcare providers test urine glucose to screen for diabetes, monitor diabetic patients, or investigate symptoms like excessive urination or thirst. While blood glucose tests are more accurate, urine glucose provides a simple screening tool and historical marker of blood sugar control.

Normal Ranges

Normal urine glucose levels:

Normal: Negative or less than 15 mg/dL
Abnormal: Any measurable glucose presence

Healthy kidneys typically prevent glucose from appearing in urine unless blood glucose exceeds approximately 180 mg/dL.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Positive Glucose

Glucose in urine may indicate:

Diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
Stress-induced hyperglycemia
Certain medications affecting blood sugar
Kidney disorders affecting glucose reabsorption

Persistent Positive Results

Consistently elevated urine glucose suggests:

Uncontrolled diabetes requiring treatment adjustment
Need for comprehensive diabetes evaluation
Possible complications from poorly managed blood sugar
Requirement for more frequent monitoring

How to Track Over Time

Tracking urine glucose helps monitor diabetes management effectiveness over time. While not as precise as blood glucose testing, patterns of positive or negative results can indicate whether blood sugar control is improving or deteriorating with treatment changes.