Glucose in plasma (24-hour urinary collection)
This test measures the total amount of glucose excreted in your urine over a full day. It helps assess how well your body is managing glucose levels, especially in conditions like diabetes.
["This test helps track long-term glucose control by measuring urinary glucose excretion over 24 hours."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 96045-0
- Short code
- OF 10% Glu 48h Inc NFr RBC
- Synonyms
- OF 10% Glu 48h Inc NFr RBC
- Category
- glucose
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 4.2
- Ref high
- 5.9
- Critical range
- 2 N/A – 7 N/A
- Fasting
- true
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 85041
- SNOMED
- 900000000000003001
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have diabetes or are at risk for it. It can help determine how well your body is handling glucose, especially if you experience frequent urinary glucose spikes or need to monitor long-term control. It may also be used to evaluate kidney function or metabolic health in certain cases.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all your urine for a full 24-hour period. Start by emptying your bladder completely at the beginning of the collection period (e.g., midnight). Seal the container and keep it refrigerated until you return it to the lab. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.
What to Expect During the Test
No special preparation is needed beyond the 24-hour urine collection. The lab will analyze the sample for glucose content. Results are typically reported as the total amount of glucose excreted in milligrams (mg) or grams (g) over the 24-hour period.
How the Results Are Interpreted
Results are compared to your clinical needs rather than a single reference range. High levels may indicate poor glucose control, kidney issues, or other metabolic conditions. Low levels might suggest restricted glucose intake or certain medications. Your provider will discuss these findings with you in the context of your overall health.
Reference range
Adult males: 4.2-5.9; Females: 3.8-5.1 x 10^12/LN/A
No special preparation required. Stay well hydrated.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is particularly useful for monitoring long-term glucose metabolism in people with diabetes. Elevated urinary glucose can signal uncontrolled blood sugar, while persistently low levels may warrant further investigation into dietary or metabolic factors. It can also help assess kidney function indirectly, as glucose reabsorption in the kidneys is part of normal metabolic processing.
Short name
24-Hour Urinary Glucose
Frequently asked questions
How often should I collect urine for this test?
Can I take my diabetes medications during this test?
What if I miss any urine during the collection?
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy