SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Definition:
A laboratory test that measures the concentration of particles in the urine as well as
body’s water balance.

How Test is Performed:

 The test requires a clean-catch 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. Remove the
container from the urine stream. Cap and mark the container and give to health care
provider or assistant.

Normal Results/ Values: 1.010-1.025

Drugs that INCREASE specific gravity measurements:

• dextran
• sucrose
• intravenous dye

INCREASED urine specific gravity may be due to:

 dehydration
 diarrhea
 excessive sweating
 glucosuria
 heart failure ( related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys)
 renal arterial stenosis
 vomiting
 water restriction

DECREASED urine specific gravity may be due to:

 excessive fluid intake

 Diabetes insipidus
 renal failure ( that is, loss of ability to reabsorb water)
 pyelonephritis