Why is the kidney’s glucose threshold 180 mg/dL? Expert explains

3 min readNew DelhiJul 28, 2026 06:00 AM IST What happens to your kidneys when blood sugar crosses 180 mg/dL? Answering this Quora query: ‘Why is the renal threshold for glucose set at 180 mg/dL, and what exactly happens to your kidneys when glucose levels reach this point?’, Dr Sumiran Mahajan, consultant nephrologist, interventional nephrology and transplant services, KIMS Hospitals Thane, noted that the kidneys filter glucose from the blood and reclaim almost all of it using special transporters in the kidney tubules. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.“These transporters can only handle a certain amount. When blood glucose approaches 180 mg/dL, they s