About diabetes urine tests

What is diabetes urine tests?

Urine tests for diabetes facts

  • Urine tests may be done in people with diabetes to evaluate severe hyperglycemia (severe high blood sugar) by looking for ketones in the urine.
  • Ketones are a metabolic product produced when fat is metabolized. Ketones increase when there is insufficient insulin to use glucose for energy.
  • Urine tests are also done to look for the presence of protein in the urine, which is a sign of kidney damage.
  • Urine glucose measurements are less reliable than blood glucose measurements and are not used to diagnose diabetes or evaluate treatment for diabetes. They may be used for screening purposes.
  • Testing for ketones is most common in people with type 1 diabetes.
  • Both people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes typically have microalbumin testing.

What are urine tests for diabetes?

Urine tests are tests performed in a clinical laboratory or at home using self-test kits and a sample of the patient's urine. Urine tests can be performed for a variety of reasons, but in people with diabetes, they are most commonly used to look for ketones or microalbumin (see below). Urine glucose (sugar) can also be measured, but this is less valuable than blood glucose levels for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes, so this is not commonly done as a way to monitor blood glucose status.

Ketone test

This test detects the presence of ketones, which are byproducts of metabolism that form in the presence of severe hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar). Ketones are formed from fat that is burned by the body when there is insufficient insulin to allow glucose to be used for fuel. When ketones build up to high levels, ketoacidosis (a serious and life-threatening condition) may occur.

Ketone testing can be performed both at home and in the clinical laboratory. Ketones can be detected by dipping a test strip into a sample of urine. A color change on the test strip signals the presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones occur most commonly in people with type 1 diabetes, but uncommonly, people with type 2 diabetes may test positive for ketones.

Microalbumin test

The microalbumin test detects microalbumin, a type of protein, in the urine. Protein is present in the urine when there is damage to the kidneys. Since the damage to blood vessels that occurs as a complication of diabetes can lead to kidney problems, the microalbumin test is done to check for damage to the kidneys over time.

Can urine tests be used to diagnose diabetes?

While urine tests can show signs that may signal diabetes, such as elevated sugar or ketones, the diagnosis of diabetes is made on the basis of blood tests. Urine tests may be done in some cases as back-up testing or for screening to see if blood tests should be done, but the diagnosis of diabetes is made after blood glucose testing.

Ketone test

This test detects the presence of ketones, which are byproducts of metabolism that form in the presence of severe hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar). Ketones are formed from fat that is burned by the body when there is insufficient insulin to allow glucose to be used for fuel. When ketones build up to high levels, ketoacidosis (a serious and life-threatening condition) may occur.

Ketone testing can be performed both at home and in the clinical laboratory. Ketones can be detected by dipping a test strip into a sample of urine. A color change on the test strip signals the presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones occur most commonly in people with type 1 diabetes, but uncommonly, people with type 2 diabetes may test positive for ketones.

Microalbumin test

The microalbumin test detects microalbumin, a type of protein, in the urine. Protein is present in the urine when there is damage to the kidneys. Since the damage to blood vessels that occurs as a complication of diabetes can lead to kidney problems, the microalbumin test is done to check for damage to the kidneys over time.

Can urine tests be used to diagnose diabetes?

While urine tests can show signs that may signal diabetes, such as elevated sugar or ketones, the diagnosis of diabetes is made on the basis of blood tests. Urine tests may be done in some cases as back-up testing or for screening to see if blood tests should be done, but the diagnosis of diabetes is made after blood glucose testing.

What are the risk factors for diabetes urine tests?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy. The major risk factors of diabetes are- • Obesity or being overweight. Research shows this is a top reason for type 2 diabetes.. • Impaired glucose tolerance.Prediabetes is a milder form of this condition. It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test • Insulin resistance.Type 2 diabetes often starts with cells that are resistant to insulin. • Ethnic background. Diabetes happens more often in Hispanic/Latino Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Alaska natives. • Gestational diabetes. If the person had diabetes while the person was pregnant, the person had gestational diabetes. • Sedentary lifestyle. The person exercise less than three times a week. • Family history. If The person has a parent or sibling who has diabetes. • Polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a higher risk. • Age. If the person're over 45 and overweight

Is there a cure/medications for diabetes urine tests?

When blood glucose, also referred to as blood sugar, is too high, it can lead to diabetes. Your main source of energy, blood glucose, is obtained from the food you eat. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which facilitates the uptake of glucose from food into your cells for use as fuel. Your body occasionally produces little to no insulin or uses it poorly. Consequently, glucose doesn't get to your cells and remains in your blood. Oral medications and insulin work in one of these ways to treat your diabetes: • Stimulates your pancreas to make and release more insulin. • Slows down the release of glucose from your liver (extra glucose is stored in your liver). • Blocks the breakdown of carbohydrates in your stomach or intestines so that your tissues are more sensitive to (better react to) insulin. • Helps rid your body of glucose through increased urination. • SGLT2 inhibitors affect the blood-filtering functions in your kidneys by inhibiting the return of glucose to the bloodstream. As a result, glucose is excreted in the urine. These drugs may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with a high risk of those conditions. Examples include canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and empagliflozin (Jardiance). • . • Insulin therapy • Some people who have type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy. In the past, insulin therapy was used as a last resort, but today it may be prescribed sooner if blood sugar targets aren't met with lifestyle changes and other medications. • Different types of insulin vary on how quickly they begin to work and how long they have an effect. Long-acting insulin, for example, is designed to work overnight or throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels stable. Short-acting insulin might be used at mealtime.

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