The relationship of urine glucose concentration with average blood glucose concentration for the corresponding period was investigated in 10 juvenile diabetics during the performance of 15 inpatient metabolic profiles. Glycosuria [0%] was associated with average blood glucose concentrations < 6.4 mM (< 115 mg/100ml), 2% glycosuria with concentrations > 8.6 mM (> 154 mg/100ml) and over 5% glycosuria with concentrations > 11.3 mM (> 204 mg/100ml). Urinary glucose loss was large (> 278 mmol; > 5g) when the average blood glucose was > 11.1 mM (> 200 mg/100ml). Because may diabetics have blood glucose concentrations up to 11.1 mM, it is advantageous if glycosuria up to 5% is detectable by routine home urine tests. The 2-drop Clinitest method detects glycosuria up to 5% without significant loss of accuracy and is recommended in preference to the 5-drop method.
