What is Glucose - Fasting Urine?

The glucose-fasting urine test is done to check for abnormally high levels of glucose in urine during the fasting period. This test is usually done to check for diabetes and to monitor the degree of sugar control and efficacy of treatment in diabetic patients.

Why is Glucose - Fasting Urine done?

The glucose-fasting urine test is done:

• To assess if a person is diabetic
• To detect gestational diabetes in pregnant ladies
• To monitor glucose levels in diabetic patients
• To assess kidney function in diabetic patients
• To monitor the efficacy of treatment in diabetic patients

What does Glucose-Fasting Urine Measure?

The Glucose - fasting urine test measures the levels of glucose in urine during the period of fasting. The most common cause of high levels of glucose in the urine is diabetes. In diabetes, the way the body processes the glucose gets affected. The insulin hormone is responsible for controlling the metabolism of glucose in the blood. In diabetic patients, the body is either not able to make enough insulin or the body is not able to utilize the insulin produced. Due to this, the glucose starts to build up in the blood and the kidneys are not able to control it to release it into the urine.

The presence of glucose in the urine is termed as glycosuria or glucosuria. This could be due to side effects caused by certain medicines or problems in the kidney, such as renal glycosuria.

Interpreting Glucose - Fasting Urine results

Interpretations

• High levels of glucose in urine indicate diabetes. However, it can also be due to side effects caused by certain medicines or kidney problems such as renal glycosuria.
• High levels of glucose in urine in pregnancy indicate gestational diabetes.

What are the risk factors for Diabetes?

Diabetes can be caused by various reasons. The most common risk factors for diabetes include being obese or overweight with low physical activity, having a blood relative diagnosed with Diabetes, or having been diagnosed with hypertension. Other reasons which can cause diabetes could be low High-Density Lipoproteins or high triglyceride levels, being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, unusual thirst, blurred vision, tiredness, repeated infections, and slow healing of sores.