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Urinalysis for diabetes

Urine tests help a person with diabetes check their blood sugar levels for hyperglycaemia at home, or microalbuminuria or ketones urine tests may be done at a clinic or GP surgery for diabetes-related kidney disease.

Urine testing for hyperglycaemia

Home urine testing for blood sugar may be recommended as an alternative to home blood testing. However, urine tests don't alert a person to blood glucose being too low, or hypoglycaemia.

A test strip is held under a stream of urine for a short time and colour patches on the strip can be compared with a chart on the test strip container.

The urine test is usually recommended before breakfast, but after the first urination of the day.

The results given will not show glucose levels at the time of the testing, but the levels when the urine was produced and held in the bladder.


When a person with diabetes develops hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar, if there is not enough insulin around, or if their body is unable to utilise the insulin properly and break down sugar, the body turns to fat stores to create energy for the cells. While ketones can be a source of energy for many cells, they can be toxic in large amounts and cause a life-threatening emergency condition called ketoacidosis.


Urine tests for diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney problems can occur in people with diabetes. However, with early and intensive control of blood sugar, blood pressure and the use of certain medicines, the development and the progression of kidney problems can be slowed.


This test should be performed at least every year, or as often as advised by your doctor.

What happens if the microalbuminuria test is positive?

If the microalbuminuria test is positive, it indicates the blood vessels to your kidneys are damaged. It also reflects more widespread blood vessel disease that can increase your risk of heart problems. Therefore your doctor may take the following steps:

  • Prescribe medicines to slow kidney damage. Your doctor may recommend starting specific medicines to prevent further damage to your blood vessels and kidneys. If the microalbumin level is very high, your doctor may recommend you have another type of urine test that involves you collecting your urine for 24 hours to more accurately determine the extent of damage to your kidneys and see how well they are working.
  • Offer more intensive diabetes treatment. In addition, studies show that tight control of your blood sugar can significantly decrease kidney damage, so your doctor may recommend more intensive treatment of your diabetes.
  • Better blood pressure control. Controlling your blood pressure has also been shown to reduce the risk of kidney damage related to diabetes. It is important your blood pressure is checked each time you go to the doctor. The recommended goal for blood pressure control in people with diabetes is less than 130/80.
  • Better cholesterol control. Since the microalbuminuria suggests you are at greater risk of heart disease, your doctor will try to get your cholesterol and other fats into a healthier blood level range.
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