We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Learn more about the kidneys and how they work here. Wash the hands thoroughly and follow any instructions for delivering the pot to the doctor or a lab for testing.Ī laboratory technician performs the test using a refractometer, which projects light into the sample and helps determine the density of the urine.Replace the cover securely, touching only the outside of the pot.Collect at least 1 ounce (oz), or 30 milliliters (ml), of urine, as shown on the side of the container.Begin urinating, then hold the container under the stream.Wash their hands and have the container ready for use, taking care to touch only the outside.To collect a clean catch specimen, a person should: The doctor may ask the person to collect a “clean catch” specimen to prevent contaminating the sample with bacteria from the skin. The doctor might request multiple urine specific gravity tests in one day to see how well the kidneys compensate for a possible problem. The test should not be uncomfortable and is usually brief. Learn more about what different colors of urine can mean. Urine specific gravity tests can give a more precise measurement of the urine’s concentration than just looking at the color alone. If a person continues to have dark urine after consuming extra fluid, it may be time to speak with a doctor. Urine is lighter and has lower specific gravity when a person is well-hydrated. Urine tends to be darker and has higher specific gravity when a person does not drink enough fluids. If a person has concerns about whether they are consuming enough fluid, checking their urine color may help. Learn more about the pH levels of urine here. some medications, including ibuprofen, chloroquine, and metronidazole.some foods, such as beetroot, rhubarb, blackberries, and food colorings.contrast agents used in scans and other procedures.exposing the sample to light and temperature, which can change the composition of some particles.Other factors that may give an inaccurate result include: Learn what happens where there is too much sodium in the body. If a person has hyponatremia, sodium levels in the body are too low. Hyponatremia can result from some of these conditions. using diuretics, or water pills, which cause the body to remove extra sodium from the urine.drinking too much fluid, for example, due to excess thirst, or polydipsia.The person may be drinking too much fluid or have a condition that makes them thirsty.Ĭonditions that cause low specific gravity include: Low specific gravity suggests that urine is too diluted. Learn more about red blood cells in the urine here. High levels of certain substances in the urine can also cause high specific gravity. diarrhea or vomiting resulting in dehydration.This can be a sign of dehydration, and the doctor may recommend drinking more clear fluids.Ĭonditions that cause high specific gravity include: High specific gravity suggests that the concentration of urine is too high. Results from these other tests will help make an accurate diagnosis. If a doctor identifies an unusual result, they may recommend further testing to determine if an underlying condition is causing the urine changes. Urine specific gravity is only one measure of health. However, doctors cannot specify low, acceptable, or high values because many factors can affect urine composition. Doctors consider the result of a urine specific gravity test to be normal if it is within the range 1.003–1.030.

Urine specific gravity range