Urine Glucose
Urine glucose is normally absent because the kidneys reabsorb filtered glucose until blood glucose exceeds about 180 mg/dL. A positive result usually indicates uncontrolled diabetes, though it can also occur in pregnancy, with certain medications (including SGLT2 inhibitors), and in rare renal tubular disorders. Blood glucose and HbA1c testing confirm the underlying cause.
Optimal range: who says what
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for Urine Glucose. How we verify ranges.
- General guidance, no named sourceNegativeExpected in health; glucose appears once blood sugar exceeds ~180 mg/dL
- Lab reference intervalNegativeWhat a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
4 providers include this
Urinalysis
Why Urine Glucose matters
Glucose appears in urine when blood glucose exceeds the kidney's reabsorption threshold (around 180 mg/dL). Typically indicates uncontrolled diabetes. Can also occur in pregnancy or with certain kidney disorders.
Reading a Urine Glucose result
Glucose appears in urine when the kidneys filter more than the tubules can reabsorb. StatPearls treats more than 25 mg/dL in a random fresh sample as abnormal glucosuria. Blood glucose tests have largely replaced the urine test for detecting and monitoring diabetes (MedlinePlus).
Common causes of a high result
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy: up to half of women show urine glucose at some point, and it can signal gestational diabetes
- A small rise after a large carbohydrate meal
- Renal glycosuria (glucose spills at normal blood glucose), including the inherited form
- Tubule disorders such as Fanconi syndrome
What to check next
- Fasting glucose or HbA1c
- Urine ketones if blood glucose is high
Sources: MedlinePlus: Glucose urine test; StatPearls: Physiology, Glycosuria (Liman, Jialal). Checked against these sources 2026-09-23. General information, not medical advice; your lab's reference interval and your clinician's reading take precedence.
Which Providers Test Urine Glucose?
Empirical Health is both the cheapest ($190/year) and the most comprehensive (100+ biomarkers) panel that includes Urine Glucose.
4 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $190 | 100+ | $1.90 | |
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $499 | 100+ | $4.99 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
17 itemized panels do not include Urine Glucose
Superpower · WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · InsideTracker · Function Health · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Marek Health Executive · Oura Health Panels · SiPhox Health · Hims Labs · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer Urine Glucose. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Urine Glucose?
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for Urine Glucose. General guidance without a named source: Negative (Expected in health; glucose appears once blood sugar exceeds ~180 mg/dL). Lab reference interval: Negative. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Urine Glucose?
4 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Urine Glucose in their panels. This biomarker has limited availability.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Aug 26, 2026 · First published Nov 30, 2025