Renal Glucose Threshold Variations with Age

Abstract

The results of testing an age-sex stratified random sample of the Bedford population for glycosuria during glucose-tolerance tests showed that the renal threshold level is very variable, and increases with age, especially among women. Renal threshold values as low as 130 mg./100 ml. were found in young subjects and as high as 300 mg. in elderly subjects. Thirty per cent. of this random sample had glycosuria during the glucose-tolerance test compared with only 4% when tested after breakfast. These findings are discussed in relation to the management of diabetic patients and the planning and execution of diabetes detection surveys. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.