Glucose in Urine Test
Reviewed
Also called: urine sugar test, urine glucose test, glucosuria test, glycosuria test
A glucose in urine test measures the amount of glucose in your urine (pee). Normally, urine contains very little or no glucose.
Specimen: urine
Why this test may be ordered
- As part of a routine checkup or urinalysis
- If you have symptoms of diabetes (increased thirst and urination, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, sores that don't heal, losing weight without trying) and cannot have a blood glucose test
- During pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes
- If your provider suspects a rare kidney disorder that affects glucose filtering
Preparation and collection
You usually don't need any special preparations for this test. Some medicines and supplements may affect your test results, so be sure to tell your provider about everything you're taking. But don't stop taking any medicine without talking with your provider first.
You will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample. Your provider may ask you to monitor your urine glucose at home with a test kit.
There is no known risk to having a glucose in urine test.
Understanding results
A urine glucose test alone cannot diagnose any conditions. So, if you have an abnormal test result, your provider may order other tests to help make a diagnosis, including blood tests to diagnose or rule out diabetes.
- Normal (little to no glucose in urine): If your test result is normal, it means that you had little to no glucose in your urine. Limitation: But this doesn't mean that you don't have diabetes. You can have a normal urine glucose level when your blood glucose level is high. Next step: Ask your provider what your test results mean and whether you need a blood glucose test for more accurate results.
- High glucose in urine: If your test result shows you have too much glucose in your urine, it may be a sign of: diabetes (If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, high urine glucose may mean that your diabetes is not well controlled) pregnancy, gestational diabetes, an uncommon type of kidney disorder. Limitation: Too much urine glucose doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Certain medicines, vitamin C, and eating a large meal may affect your test results. Next step: If your urine glucose levels are high, your health care provider will usually order a blood glucose test to help make a diagnosis.
- A urine glucose test is not as accurate as a blood glucose test for diagnosing or monitoring diabetes. A normal result does not rule out diabetes—you can have high blood glucose with little or no glucose in your urine.
- This test alone cannot diagnose any condition. Follow-up blood tests are usually needed. Certain medicines, vitamin C, and eating a large meal may affect results.
What to do next
Ask your provider what your test results mean and whether you need a blood glucose test for more accurate results.
- What do my urine glucose test results mean?
- Do I need a blood glucose test for a more accurate diagnosis?
- Should I be tested for diabetes or a kidney condition?
- How should I prepare for any follow-up tests?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.