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Urine specific gravity

Definition

Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of particles in the urine (see also urine concentration test).

How the test is performed

Collect a "clean-catch" (midstream) urine sample. To obtain a clean-catch sample, men or boys should clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl to clear the urethra of contaminants. Then, put a clean container under your urine stream and catch 1 to 2 ounces of urine. Remove the container from the urine stream. Cap and mark the container and give it to the health care provider or assistant.

For an infant:

Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For boys, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For girls, the bag is placed over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag.

This procedure may take a couple of attempts. The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory.

How to prepare for the test

The health care provider may advise you to stop taking drugs that can affect the test (see "special considerations").

Eat a normal, balanced diet for several days before the test.

If the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.

How the test will feel

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

Specific gravity measures the concentration of particles in a solution (grams/ml). Osmolality is a more exact measurement of urine concentration than specific gravity because specific gravity depends on the precise nature of the molecules present in the urine.

Specific gravity also requires correction for the presence of glucose or protein. But the specific gravity measurement is easier and more convenient to test. It frequently makes the osmolality measurement unnecessary.

Normal Values

Normal values are between 1.002 to 1.028. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

What abnormal results mean

Abnormal results indicate the following:

Increased urine specific gravity may indicate: