Urine Sugar (Urine Glucose)

Sugar in urine

This test checks whether glucose (sugar) is present in your urine. Normally the kidneys keep glucose in the blood, so little or none reaches the urine; it spills over when blood sugar is high or, less often, when the kidneys handle glucose differently. It is a simple check, but blood tests are used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.

• As a simple check for high blood sugar alongside other urine tests
• Thirst, passing urine often or unexplained weight loss
• During pregnancy, as part of routine urine checks
• Together with a blood sugar test when diabetes control is being reviewed

You can eat and drink as usual unless your doctor has asked for this sample alongside a fasting blood test. Collect a midstream sample in the sterile container provided, preferably the first urine of the morning. Keep taking your usual medicines, and tell your doctor if you take a diabetes medicine that works by passing sugar into the urine.

Sample

Urine sample

How it works

Pass the first part of your urine into the toilet, collect the middle part in the sterile container provided, and finish in the toilet. Screw the lid on tightly and give the container to the collector when they arrive.

Report

Within 24 hours of collection.

The report shows whether glucose is absent or present, often graded by amount. Sugar in the urine usually means blood sugar has been high, often because of diabetes, but it can also occur in pregnancy and with some kidney conditions, and it is expected with a group of diabetes medicines called SGLT2 inhibitors. A negative result does not rule out diabetes. Your doctor will interpret the result with blood tests such as fasting sugar or HbA1c.

One test: Urine Sugar (Urine Glucose), from one urine sample.