Glycosuria, or the determination of glucose in the urine, is the presence of a high level of sugar in the urine, which may be associated with complications in the kidneys, nephrogenic diabetes mellitus. In this article, you can learn more about this condition, including symptoms, causes, and how to prevent it. Let's also try to understand the normal and abnormal levels of sugar in the urine.
Glucosuria symptoms
There are no obvious symptoms of glucosuria. In fact, many people can have elevated urine glucose for many years without even realizing it.
If this symptom is not noticed and treated for a long time, it can cause:
- feeling extremely thirsty (polydipsia);
- dehydration (dehydration);
- excessive hunger;
- frequent urination (polyuria);
- unexplained progressive weight loss;
- chronic fatigue;
- urinary incontinence;
- slow healing wounds, ulcers;
- darkening of the skin in the creases of the neck, armpits and other areas.
Differences between blood glucose and glucosuria levels
Normally, our kidneys eject sugar from the blood back into the blood vessels from any tissue fluid that passes through them. In glucosuria, the kidneys may not be able to reabsorb (reabsorb) enough sugar from the urine before it is excreted from our bodies.
Blood glucose is regulated by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas in Langerhans cells. In diabetic patients, insulin is not produced or processed properly, which means they need to inject it. This is necessary to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. If glucose levels are not regulated by insulin, diabetes can lead to high levels of glucose in the urine. However, diabetes is not always the cause of blood sugar. This may be a benign symptom that sometimes accompanies pregnancy.
Causes of glucose in urine
Typically, glucosuria is caused by an underlying condition that directly affects blood sugar levels, such as diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is the most common cause of glucosuria.
If you have this condition, it means that your insulin is not working properly. In one case, insulin cannot efficiently convert glucose to glycogen and nourish your body's tissues. This causes unused sugar to be excreted in the urine. Otherwise, your body does not containEnough insulin to balance sugar levels. Any excess glucose is also excreted in the urine.
Glycosuria develops during pregnancy. This type of diabetes occurs when hormones from the placenta of the fetus "intercept" insulin from the mother's body, thereby developing gestational diabetes. However, this type of disease is easily preventable. Glucosuria provoked by gestational diabetes usually does not cause any additional symptoms. If, however, any unusual symptoms appear, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Main causes of glucosuria
Let's look at the most common causes of glucosuria:
- Diabetes. Excessive blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in people with uncontrolled diabetes makes it difficult for the kidneys to naturally reabsorb (absorb) sugar, leading to it being filtered into the urine.
- Hyperthyroidism. Excessive thyroid hormones can cause reduced absorption of glucose, which is then excreted in the urine.
- A diet high in sugar. Excess consumption of sugars leads to an increase in the amount of glucose in the blood to a level that cannot be reabsorbed in the tubules of the kidneys, which leads to its appearance in the urine.
- Benign glucosuria. A rare condition in which the kidney's filtration system allows sugar to pass into the urine. This condition is usually hereditary and has no accompanying additional symptoms.
- Cirrhosisliver. This pathology seriously affects the carbohydrate metabolism in the body, which causes an excess amount of glucose in the blood and urine.
- Emotions. Certain emotions, such as fear and anger, can trigger an adrenaline rush. This hormone promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates in the blood, releasing glucose to provide quick energy for the response, causing a brief spike in glucose levels.
Urine glucose readings
Determining the amount of glucose in a urine test is done using a test strip. And the table below explains the reference values of indicators in normal and pathological conditions.
| Result | mg/dl | mmol/L | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose in urine: trace | 100 mg/dl | 5.55 mmol/l | A small amount of glucose in the urine means too much glucose in the blood. |
| Glucose 1+ | 250mg/dL | 11.1 mmol/L | 250 ml/dL of glucose lost in urine |
| Glucose 2+ | 500mg/dl | 27.75 mmol/l | 500mg/dl is lost through urine |
| Glucose 3+ | 1000 mg/dl | 55.5 mmol/L | More than 1000mg/dL of blood sugars are excreted through urine |
| Glucose 4+ | 2000 mg/dl | 111 mmol/L | More than 2000mg/mL blood glucose lost in urine |
Normal glucose in the urine is between 0 and 0.8 mmol/L (millimoles per liter). Higherthe indicator may be a sign of he alth problems.
If your urine glucose test results are abnormal, further diagnosis will be made until the cause is identified. During this time, it is especially important for you to be honest with your doctor. Make sure your doctor has a list of all medications you are taking, as some medications can affect blood and urine glucose levels. You should also tell your doctor if you are under stress, as these conditions can increase your glucose levels.
Diagnosis of this condition
Glycosuria can be diagnosed in different ways, with rapid urinalysis being the most common way. To perform this test, your he althcare provider will ask you to urinate on a special test strip. Then compare the result with a standard scale. You have glucosuria if the amount of glucose in your urine is more than 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) in one day (24 hours).
Glucose is a monosaccharide that your body needs to use as "fast" energy. Insulin converts carbohydrates in food into glucose. The test involves taking a urine sample. After you provide your sample, a small plastic test strip will measure your glucose levels. The indicator on the strip will change color depending on the amount of glucose in the urine. If you have moderate or high glucosuria, your doctor will do more testing to determine the underlying cause.
The therapist may also send you for blood tests to check your sugar levels. Normal blood sugar levels are usually 70-140 mg/dl depending on whether you have eaten recently or if you have diabetes. If your blood sugar is high and diabetes has not been previously diagnosed, your he althcare provider will likely perform an aggregated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test contains information about your blood sugar levels over the past few months.
There are 2 main types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile type diabetes, is usually an autoimmune condition that develops when the immune system "attacks" the body's own cells, the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This means that the body cannot produce enough insulin, causing excess blood sugar. People with type 1 diabetes have to take injectable insulin throughout their lives to control their general condition.
Type 2 is a disease that usually develops over time. This condition is often referred to as adult diabetes, but it can also appear in children. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body produces enough insulin, but the cells' receptors become resistant to its effects (insulin-independent diabetes). This means that the cells of the body cannot absorb and store glucose. Instead, glucose remains in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes develops most often in people withoverweight, and sedentary people.
Both types of diabetes can be properly controlled. This usually includes lifelong medication and lifestyle changes such as exercise and he althy eating. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your GP will likely refer you to a dietitian. A dietitian can help you understand how to better manage your glucose levels by eating the right foods.
Treatment of glucosuria
Glycosuria is not a concern. No treatment is needed unless there is an underlying condition that is causing your kidneys to pass large amounts of glucose into your urine. If your diabetes has been causing your glucosuria, your he althcare provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Possible treatment and control options
- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
- Choosing your diet will give you enough nutrients and reduce your sugar and fat intake. This may include eating more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Take your prescribed medications to help your body use insulin more efficiently.
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar so you can better understand how your body is responding to certain foods, activities, or therapies.
Although type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition, gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery.
Conclusion
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, medical history, urinalysis method, and other properties.
It must be remembered that glucose in the urine does not always mean the presence of he alth problems. Various factors determine the composition of urine, including how well the kidneys are functioning. For example, what and how much you drink and eat, exercise and some medications can affect the composition of your urine. Keeping the body hydrated at all times and eating well is just as important for urinary he alth as it is for overall he alth.
