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Question
I was told when I was a child that I had a low renal reservoir, and I spilled 4+ sugar into my urine. They said I should never let anyone tell me I had diabetes.However, I have been told I have diabetes now and take metformin twice daily for control. I always had
I really do not believe that I have diabetes, but my internist insists that I do. I have regular blood tests, and I am in wonderful shape. I work out three times per week, have lost 15 pounds, and still have all of my original organs. I feel I am doing fine except for this label of "diabetic". Do you have any information on this low renal reservoir to show to my current doctor? I would appreciate any information on Renal Diabetes.
Answer
Renal diabetes (also called renal glycosuria) is a benign condition, and, as you were told, is a different disorder than diabetes mellitus. In renal glycosuria, glucose (sugar) spills in the urine due to a low threshold in the kidneys for retaining sugar. Blood glucose levels are normal, but the kidney fails to reabsorb the normal amount of glucose back into the blood, and any glucose above the low renal threshold is excreted in the urine. In diabetes mellitus, on the other hand, blood sugar levels are elevated if untreated, and renal thresholds for losing sugar into the urine are "normal."I think you need to chat with your physician and ask why he says you have diabetes at this time. I assume he/she saw something on the results of your last glucose tolerance test.
To learn more, see:
- diagnosis of diabetes at this website
- Renal Glycosuria at National Organization for Rare Disorders
- Renal Glucosuria at eMedicine
- Renal Glycosuria at Genetic Information and Patient Services, Inc.
