Glucose, 24-Hour Urinary Collection (Quantitative)
This test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) that appears in your urine over a 24-hour period. It helps check for conditions like diabetes or kidney issues that may cause glucose to leak into urine.
["Assesses how much sugar your body excretes in urine over a full day."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 26538-9
- Short code
- Glucose 3.5h p Glc Ur Ql Strip
- Synonyms
- Glucose 3.5h p Glc Ur Ql Strip
- Category
- glucose
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 70
- Ref high
- 100
- Critical range
- 50 N/A – 400 N/A
- Fasting
- true
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- test-strip
- CPT
- 82947
- SNOMED
- 260395008
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your doctor may order this test if they suspect you have diabetes, kidney problems, or another condition affecting how your body handles sugar. It can also help monitor long-term sugar control in people with diabetes.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all urine for 24 hours, starting and ending with the first morning urine. Store samples properly to avoid contamination. Your doctor or lab technician will provide detailed instructions.
How the Test Works
Your urine is tested for glucose using a method that detects its presence. The results show the total amount excreted in a day, helping doctors evaluate sugar metabolism.
What the Results Mean
Higher-than-normal results may indicate diabetes, kidney dysfunction, or other metabolic issues. Lower-than-normal results might suggest poor absorption of glucose or certain medications affecting sugar levels.
Reference range
Fasting: 70-100 mg/dLN/A
Fasting for 8-12 hours required. Water is permitted. Avoid chewing gum and smoking before the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is critical for diagnosing or managing conditions like diabetes, where glucose levels in urine can reflect poor control of blood sugar. It also helps identify kidney problems that may cause glucose to spill into urine.
Short name
24-Hour Urine Glucose
Frequently asked questions
What causes abnormal urine glucose levels?
How long does it take to get results?
Can I eat or drink normally before this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy