Clinical Significance of Glucose in the Urine

This version of the course is no longer available.
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course . Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about (online CE course)
Clinical Significance of Glucose in the Urine

In a healthy individual, almost all of the glucose filtered by the renal glomerulus is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule. The amount of glucose reabsorbed by the proximal tubule is determined by the body's need to maintain a sufficient level of glucose in the blood. If the concentration of blood glucose becomes too high (160-180 mg/dL), the tubules no longer reabsorb glucose, allowing it to pass through into the urine.
Conditions in which glucose levels in the urine are above 100 mg/dL and detectable include:
  • diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders
  • impaired tubular reabsorption due to advanced kidney disease
  • pregnancy - glycosuria developing in the 3rd trimester may be due to latent diabetes mellitus
  • central nervous system damage
  • pancreatic disease
  • disturbances of metabolism such as, burns, infection or fractures