In untreated diabetes mellitus, what happens to glucose levels in the urine?

In untreated diabetes mellitus, glucose levels in the urine are often elevated. This occurs when blood glucose levels exceed the renal threshold, which is the point at which the kidneys can no longer effectively reabsorb glucose back into the bloodstream. When this threshold is surpassed, excess glucose spills over into the urine, resulting in glucosuria, or the presence of glucose in the urine.

The elevation of glucose in the urine is a significant indicator of poorly managed diabetes. It reflects the body’s inability to utilize glucose properly due to either insufficient insulin production (as in type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (as commonly seen in type 2 diabetes). This condition can lead to increased urinary frequency and dehydration, as the presence of glucose draws water into the urine, exacerbating the symptoms of diabetes.

Other options do not accurately describe the situation in untreated diabetes mellitus. For instance, if glucose levels were absent, it would indicate normal glucose metabolism, which is not the case in the context of untreated diabetes. The notion of glucose levels remaining constant does not account for the physiological changes occurring in response to high blood sugar levels. Additionally, a significant decrease in glucose levels in urine would be contradictory to the condition, as untreated diabetes leads to an increase rather than a decrease