Glucose
Glucosuria is the presence of glucose in the urine, which is an important diagnostic sign, especially in diabetes mellitus.
Normally, the kidneys completely reabsorb glucose from the primary urine, so its content in urine is absent or minimal. Glucosuria occurs when the blood glucose level exceeds the renal threshold for reabsorption (about 180 mg/dL), and the kidneys cannot return all the glucose back to the blood.
Main causes of glucosuria:
- Diabetes mellitus: the most common cause, associated with elevated blood glucose levels.
- Renal glucosuria: impaired function of the renal tubules, in which glucose is excreted in the urine even with normal blood sugar levels.
- Physiological glucosuria: temporary appearance of glucose in the urine during stress, pregnancy, taking certain medications, or excessive sugar intake.
Glucosuria is accompanied by polyuria (increased urine volume) and polydipsia (increased thirst), which are associated with osmotic diuresis.
Diagnosis of glucosuria is carried out using test strips, laboratory urine analysis, and assessment of blood glucose levels.
Early detection of glucosuria is important for the diagnosis and control of diabetes mellitus and other diseases, as well as for preventing complications.