Glucose test - urine
The glucose urine test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in a urine sample. The presence of glucose in the urine is called glycosuria or glucosuria.
See also:
How the Test is Performed
A urine sample is needed. For information on collecting a urine sample, see clean catch urine specimen.
Usually, the health care provider checks for glucose in the urine sample using a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The pad contains chemicals that react with glucose. What color the dipstick changes tells the provider how much glucose is in your urine.
How to Prepare for the Test
Different drugs can change the result of this test. Make sure your health care provider knows what medications you are taking.
How the Test Will Feel
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is most commonly used to test for diabetes.
Normal Results
Glucose is not usually found in urine. If it is, further testing is needed.
Normal glucose range in urine: 0 - 0.8 mmol/l (0 - 15 mg/dL)
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Greater than normal levels of glucose may occur with:
- Diabetes, although blood glucose tests are needed to diagnose diabetes. Small increases in urine glucose levels after a large meal are not always a cause for concern.
- A rare condition in which glucose is released from the kidneys into the urine, even when blood glucose levels are normal (renal glycosuria)
- Pregnancy -- up to half of women will have glucose in their urine at some point during pregnancy. Glucose in the urine may mean that a woman has gestational diabetes.
Glucose will only show up in the urine once it has reached high levels in the blood. As a result, a glucose urine test is not useful for helping a person monitor and control their diabetes.
Risks
There are no risks.
Alternative Names
Urine sugar test; Urine glucose test; Glucosuria test; Glycosuria test
References
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Update Date: 9/20/2011
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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