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What does glucose in my urine mean?

Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS

Glucose usually spills into urine only when blood sugar rises above roughly 180 mg/dL, so a positive urine test suggests blood levels have been running high and deserves a proper blood test promptly.

Exceptions exist: pregnancy lowers the spill threshold, and some diabetes medicines work precisely by sending glucose out through urine, making the finding expected.

Urine tests screen; blood tests decide. Book a fasting glucose or HbA1c rather than repeating dipsticks.

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If you are buying a meter

Any major-brand glucose meter is accurate enough for home tracking. The real cost is the strips, so compare strip prices before choosing the meter.

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