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Urine specific gravity is a laboratory test that measures the concentration of all chemical particles in the urine.

See also:

• Urine concentration test
• Urine osmolality
• Urinalysis

The test requires a clean-catch urine sample. For information on how to collect this urine sample, see: Clean-catch urine culture

Your health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test. Drugs that can increase specific gravity measurements include dextran and sucrose. Receiving intravenous dye (contrast medium) for an x-ray exam up to 3 days before the test can also interfere with results.

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

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

This test helps evaluate your body's water balance and urine concentration.

Normal values are between 1.002 to 1.028.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Increased urine specific gravity may be due to:

• Addison's disease (rare)
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea that causes dehydration
• Glucosuria
• Heart failure (related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys)
• Renal arterial stenosis
• Shock
• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)

Decreased urine specific gravity may be due to:

• Aldosteronism (very rare)
• Excessive fluid intake
• Diabetes insipidus - central
• Diabetes insipidus - nephrogenic
• Renal failure
• Renal tubular necrosis
• Severe kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Complicated UTI (pyelonephritis)
• High blood sodium level
• Low blood sodium level
• Excessive urination

Osmolality is a more specific test for urine concentration. However, the specific gravity measurement is easier and more convenient and usually part of a routine urinalysis. It frequently makes the osmolality measurement unnecessary.

Urine density

Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 115.

Updated by: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.