Glycosuria
Glycosuria, also sometimes called glucosuria, happens when you have more glucose or other sugars (such as lactose, fructose, or galactose) in your urine than is normal.
Normally, your body releases glucose in your urine when your blood sugar levels are too high. In healthy people, your kidneys filter the glucose and reabsorb most of it back into your blood.
Your body carefully controls glucose levels to maintain a steady balance. Too much glucose can damage your organs and nerves, but your body does need enough sugar for energy.
A small amount of glucose in your urine is normal. If a random urine sample shows more than 0.25 milligrams/milliliter (mg/mL), this is considered glycosuria. It can be caused by high blood glucose levels, issues with your kidney filters, or conditions such as diabetes. You may be unaware that you have the condition until a urine test is done.
Glycosuria Causes
There are three main causes of glycosuria:
- Problems using or making the hormone insulin
- Conditions with the kidney where the tubules are damaged, or other kidney defects
- Your system has more sugar in it than your body can process at once
Glycosuria in Diabetes
Diabetes, called diabetes mellitus, is a condition where your body can’t make enough insulin or use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that regulates how much glucose is in your blood.
There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes. This type is an autoimmune disease where your immune system destroys beta cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or teenage years.
Type 2 diabetes. In this type, your body becomes resistant to insulin and doesn’t respond to the hormone, which causes problems using glucose. Obesity and weight gain are major factors in getting type 2 diabetes. It often develops later in life, but children who have obesity can also get type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes causes glycosuria because either there isn’t enough insulin, or your body can’t use what's available. Without insulin, blood glucose levels become too high, and your kidneys can’t filter and reabsorb it. Your body gets rid of the excess glucose through your urine.
Gestational Diabetes and Glycosuria
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. Your body needs a lot of energy as your baby grows, but sometimes, it can’t keep up with demand and doesn't make enough insulin.
Without the insulin, you will have too high sugar levels, and it will show up in your urine.
High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby, such as:
- Your baby may grow too big, resulting in the need for a C-section
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar in your baby
- Risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes after your pregnancy is over
Your doctor might do in-office urine tests at your regular prenatal visits to check for glycosuria. You will have another test around the 24- to 28-week mark where you drink a glucose drink and have your blood taken. Your doctor might do the blood test earlier if your urine tests show high glycosuria.
Renal Glycosuria
Renal glycosuria is a rare inherited condition where your body gets rid of sugar in your urine even though your blood sugar levels are normal. In this condition, you don’t have too much glucose, but your body gets rid of it anyway.
It is caused by gene changes that lead to defects in your kidney tubules where glucose is absorbed. Renal glycosuria usually doesn’t have any symptoms and doesn’t need treatment.
Fanconi Syndrome and Glycosuria
Fanconi syndrome is a general term for a defect in your kidneys that causes problems taking glucose and other substances back in. This can be caused by:
- Drugs
- Heavy metal exposure
- Not enough vitamin D
- Kidney transplant
It can also be caused by some genetic conditions, including:
- Wilson disease
- Dent disease
- Lowe syndrome
- Cystinosis
Alimentary Glycosuria
Alimentary glycosuria can happen when you eat lots of carbohydrates in a short time frame. Blood glucose levels become abnormally high after eating, the glucose is passed into your urine, and levels take longer to return to normal.
This is a temporary condition in healthy people, but it can be a sign of renal glycosuria. It also happens in people with diabetes.
Glycosuria Symptoms
You might not know you have glycosuria until your urine is tested. Some types, such as renal glycosuria and gestational glycosuria, don’t cause any symptoms.
Over time, if it’s not treated, it can cause some symptoms, including:
- Tiredness
- Peeing a lot
- Feeling very thirsty or hungry
- Weight loss
- Feeling sick
- Discolored skin in areas where your skin folds
- Vision problems
- Longer healing time for cuts or injuries
Glycosuria Diagnosis
To confirm whether you have glycosuria, your doctor might run tests, including:
- Urine test or urinalysis. For this test, you will provide a urine sample and your doctor will send it off to a lab to check your urine glucose levels.
- A1c test. This test includes a finger prick or blood draw that will confirm your blood sugar level average over three months.
- Blood glucose test. A sample of your blood will be tested to see if you have high blood glucose levels along with glycosuria.
Glycosuria Treatment
The treatment for glycosuria depends on the cause. Diabetes is best managed with lifestyle changes and medications.
Treatments can include:
- Insulin
- Metformin
- Diet changes, including more vegetables and whole grains
- Exercise
- ACE inhibitors
- Statins
- Anti-glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists
Not everyone with glycosuria is unwell or needs treatment. If you have signs of blood sugar problems, talk to your doctor.
Takeaways
Glycosuria happens when you have high blood glucose levels in your urine. It can usually be cured by treating the underlying condition that's causing your symptoms, such as diabetes or a kidney disorder. Eating more vegetables and whole grains can lessen your risk of glycosuria. Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of glycosuria, such as frequent need to pee, tiredness, and extreme thirst. If you feel faint, have a rapid heartbeat or breathing, or have trouble staying awake, seek emergency care right away.
Glycosuria FAQs
What causes glucosuria?
The three main causes of glycosuria are problems using or making the hormone insulin, kidney problems, or having more sugar in your system than your body can process at once.
What is the difference between hyperglycemia and glycosuria?
Hyperglycemia is when you have high blood sugar levels, whereas glycosuria happens when you have too much glucose in your pee. Hyperglycemia is a cause of glycosuria.
How much glucose in urine is normal?
A normal urine glucose level is 0.25 mg/mL or lower.
What are the two types of glycosuria?
There are many types of glycosuria, including renal glycosuria, a genetic condition where your kidneys can't take glucose back in, and alimentary glycosuria, which results from eating too many carbs too fast.
What does glycosuria indicate?
Glycosuria can be a sign of a kidney condition or diabetes.
What are the methods for detecting glycosuria?
Your doctor can confirm if you have glycosuria by running a blood test, urine test, or A1c test.
