Glycosuria Causes and Related Disorders

Other Causes of Glycosuria

• Glycosuria (glucose in the urine) with high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can be linked to various endocrine disorders.
• These disorders may include pituitary or adrenal issues (like acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, hyperadrenocorticism), tumors in the pancreas, hyperthyroidism, and pheochromocytoma.
• Pancreatic diseases, such as carcinoma, pancreatitis, and cystic fibrosis, can also cause glycosuria due to loss of functioning islet cells.
• Other causes of glycosuria and hyperglycemia include central nervous system disorders like brain tumors, hemorrhage, hypothalamic disease, and asphyxia.
• Metabolic disturbances from burns, infections, fractures, heart attacks, kidney failure (uremia), liver disease, glycogen storage disease, obesity, or after periods of starvation can also cause glycosuria.
• Certain medications, including thiazides, corticosteroids, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and birth control pills, can contribute to glycosuria.
• In pregnancy, increased kidney filtration can lead to glycosuria even at relatively normal blood glucose levels, as all filtered glucose may not be reabsorbed.
• Persistent or significant glycosuria requires investigation. Some women may only develop diabetes during pregnancy.
• Reduced carbohydrate intake in the elderly can decrease glucose tolerance, but this isn't always accompanied by glycosuria.

Glycosuria without Hyperglycemia

• Glycosuria without elevated blood sugar is usually a result of kidney (renal) tubular dysfunction.
• Inherited renal glycosuria is a rare cause and is associated with reduced glucose reabsorption by the kidneys.