Glycosuria: Recognizing Symptoms, Exploring Treatment, & Seeking Help

Glycosuria is a condition characterized by excess glucose in urine, which often indicates an underlying health problem. It was once a more prevalent worry, but due to advancements in health care services, glycosuria is better understood today, and treatment options have also improved. In this blog post, we analyze its symptoms and causes, as well as effective treatment alternatives available today.

What is Glycosuria?

Glycosuria is the term that refers to the presence of reducing sugars in urine, such as glucose, galactose, lactose, and fructose, among others. This is sometimes also referred to as glucosuria. Usually, when blood glucose level is high, glucose is eliminated through the urine. For instance, healthy individuals’ kidneys filter out and reabsorb most of it back into their bloodstream. The body carefully monitors glucose levels so they can always remain steady or balanced. While too much of it can cause damage to some organs, including the nerves.

When there are small amounts of glucose in urine, it is considered normal, but glucosuria usually refers to a disease condition where urine contains more than 25 mg/dl of urinary glucose at random times (fresh urine). Normally kidney tubules will reabsorb almost all (leaving less than 25 mg/dl urine glucose) glomerular filtered glucose. Whenever the glomerular filtration rate for which filtering takes place exceeds the renal tubule’s capability to absorb it, losses occur. This may be due to increased plasma hyperglycemia as seen in diabetic patients or due to impaired ability of tubular cells.

Types of Glycosuria

There are two major types of glycosuria based on its pathogenesis, such as

• Renal glycosuria: In renal glycosuria, the kidneys are unable to reabsorb glucose from blood cells effectively, causing it to leak into urine as a result; this could be as a result of genetic disorders or even through drug use or kidney malfunction.
• Overflow glycosuria: Overflow glycosuria is excess glucose in the plasma exceeding the rate at which it can be taken back by the kidneys; it occurs when one is suffering from uncontrolled diabetes or conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome or pancreatitis.

Note: Occasional glycosuria, also called alimentary glycosuria, happens when one consumes lots of carbohydrates at once. Glucose concentrations in the bloodstream and urine take time to normalize after eating large amounts of carbohydrate-rich foods. Besides, unless one has a disorder affecting their blood sugar levels, the symptoms should subside within some hours.

Glycosuria Symptoms

Sugar in urine symptoms might go unnoticed and can persist for years without noticeable signs or symptoms. However, if left untreated, the glycosuria might show symptoms such as:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst or dehydration
• Nighttime urination
• Weight loss
• Feeling sick and hungry

If glycosuria is caused by type-2 diabetes, it might cause symptoms like

• Unexplained weight loss
• Vision issues
• Fatigue
• Skin discoloration
• Slow healing from cuts or scrapes

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Glycosuria Causes

There are three main causes that cause glycosuria, which include:

• Overflow of sugar in the bloodstream.
• Inability to produce or utilize insulin.
• Possible kidney ailment.

To be specific, glycosuria is seen in people who are having:

• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: In this case, the body does not produce enough insulin or sufficiently respond to the effects of insulin.
• Gestational diabetes: Some expectant mothers develop hyperglycemia, which leads to glycosuria, like in the cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• Renal glycosuria: It is an inherited disorder that results in excessive urinary glucose excretion despite normal blood sugar levels. Renal glycosuria can occur if one is having genetic mutations or changes that result in kidney defects.
• Fanconi syndrome: This condition interferes with the reabsorption of certain substances in kidneys, including potassium, phosphorus, and glucose; hence, they are excreted through urine.

Glycosuria Diagnosis

The doctors use the following diagnostic methods in order to diagnose the glycosuria:

• Urine Analysis: One has to collect their urine and needs to put it in the cup; this is then sent to the lab by the provider. A lab technician dips a test strip into a sample so as to measure glucose levels in the urine.
• Blood glucose test: It is done when a sample of blood is taken by the provider and sent for analysis to a laboratory. It indicates if there is the presence of high blood sugar as well as glycosuria.
• Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test: This is done through obtaining a blood sample from a fingerprick or by taking some out through a puncture. This measures the average level of blood sugar in the past three months.
• Renal functioning tests: Kidney tests are important for diagnosing glycosuria, identifying kidney damage, indicating specific diseases, and evaluating the function of kidneys. These tests help doctors determine the severity of kidney dysfunction and guide treatment based on blood urea nitrogen levels and creatinine concentrations.

Glycosuria Treatment

• Glycosuria treatment depends on the specific cause. However, the doctors may recommend medications such as biguanides, insulin, and anti-glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists like dulaglutide or semaglutide. If the patient is diabetic, then the doctor recommends a specific diet, lifestyle modifications, and some physical therapies.
• If the glycosuria is due to severe kidney disease, then the treatment might be medical management or else dialysis.

In some cases, the glycosuria can exist, and no medications are needed at all. Nevertheless, it is vital that a health care expert be consulted in order to know the most appropriate step to take concerning the individual case.

When to Seek Help From a Doctor?

If symptoms such as tiredness, excessive thirst, or increased urine output appear, or if one has diabetes, it is necessary to see a doctor. This is because high blood sugar levels accompanied by abdominal pain, inability to remain conscious, dry skin surface, rapid pulse, and respiratory rates may indicate something serious.

Conclusion

Glycosuria, a condition that is typified by surplus glucose in urine, ordinarily indicates that there are underlying health problems. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, it can be effectively managed. Understanding different types of glycosuria, symptoms, and how kidney tests help to diagnose the problem, one is able to take proactive measures against their health concerns. If they occur, it is recommended to see a doctor who will conduct a comprehensive evaluation.

At Yashoda Hospitals, we appreciate timely and effective treatment for glycosuria. We have an experienced team of endocrinologists and nephrologists who provide customized, complete management. Furthermore, we have up-to-date diagnostic methods and cutting-edge facilities aimed at giving our patients maximum results.

Have any questions or concerns about your health? We’re here to help! Call us at +918065906165 for expert advice and support.