Urinalysis detects glucose indicating what condition?

Urinalysis detects glucose indicating what condition?

• A. Dehydration only
• B. Kidney stones
• C. Possible diabetes
• D. Urinary tract infection

Answer: (C)

Glycosuria, or glucose in the urine, happens when blood glucose levels are high enough that the kidneys can’t reabsorb all the filtered glucose. Normally the kidneys reclaim glucose in the proximal tubules, but once plasma glucose exceeds about 180 mg/dL, some glucose spills into urine. This pattern most commonly signals hyperglycemia from diabetes mellitus, so glucose in urine is a clue pointing toward possible diabetes. Dehydration alone doesn’t cause glucose in urine, and kidney stones or a urinary tract infection don’t produce glucose as a typical finding (they cause other signs and findings). Thus, the presence of glucose in urine most strongly suggests possible diabetes, warranting follow-up tests like fasting glucose or HbA1c.

Glycosuria, or glucose in the urine, happens when blood glucose levels are high enough that the kidneys can’t reabsorb all the filtered glucose. Normally the kidneys reclaim glucose in the proximal tubules, but once plasma glucose exceeds about 180 mg/dL, some glucose spills into urine. This pattern most commonly signals hyperglycemia from diabetes mellitus, so glucose in urine is a clue pointing toward possible diabetes. Dehydration alone doesn’t cause glucose in urine, and kidney stones or a urinary tract infection don’t produce glucose as a typical finding (they cause other signs and findings). Thus, the presence of glucose in urine most strongly suggests possible diabetes, warranting follow-up tests like fasting glucose or HbA1c.