What does glucosuria indicate?

Glucosuria indicates the presence of glucose in the urine. This condition often arises when blood glucose levels exceed the renal threshold for glucose reabsorption, meaning that the kidneys cannot reabsorb all the glucose from the filtrate, leading to its excretion in the urine. Glucosuria is typically associated with conditions such as diabetes mellitus, where blood glucose levels are abnormally high, triggering this overflow into the urine. Recognizing glucosuria during a urinalysis can help in diagnosing underlying metabolic disorders and assessing the patient's overall health concerning glucose metabolism.

The other options do not accurately represent what glucosuria conveys. For example, the presence of ketones in the urine reflects a different metabolic state, often related to conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis, while increased protein levels point toward proteinuria, indicative of kidney damage or disease. Low urine output is referred to as oliguria, which can indicate various renal or systemic issues but is unrelated to glucosuria.