Urine Specific Gravity – What You Need to Know

Specific gravity is a noninvasive urine measurement used in the analysis of kidney function.

Urine Specific Gravity - What You Need to Know

The urine specific gravity of your urine can provide your doctor with information to determine the level of acidity or alkalinity in your urine that could indicate the need for additional testing or treatment. It is very important that urine specific gravity is recorded so that you may have the opportunity to monitor your urine and keep an eye on its changes as it progresses throughout the day.

Urine specific gravity can help your doctor determine your kidney function, how you are responding to medication, and if you are experiencing any other problems with your kidneys. In the past, the specific gravity of the urine was measured only with a finger stick, but in recent years a urinary urethrostomy has become a more common way to measure specific gravity in urine.

Urine specific gravity can also be determined by urine dipsticks that are inserted into the vagina.

Urine Specific Gravity - What You Need to Know

Urine dipsticks work by measuring the amount of water contained in a sample of urine. When the water content in urine dips below a certain level, it indicates that the urine contains less hydration than when the urine sample is above this level.

The urine specific gravity of a sample of urine should not change over the course of a day. Therefore, if your urine varies in pH and creatinine levels over the course of the day, or if it becomes cloudy or smells sweet, you should seek medical advice so that your urine can be checked for a pH level and creatinine level, which will help to determine your specific gravity.

To test your urine specific gravity, your doctor will take a sample of your urine.

Urine Specific Gravity - What You Need to Know

A special urine specific gravity meter is then used to record your urine’s pH and creatinine levels. Once the pH and creatinine levels of your urine are recorded, your physician can determine your particular gravity.

Urine specific gravity can vary quite a bit depending on your health, the urine you are taking, the location of the sample, and the urine sample itself. For example, your urine will have a slightly higher gravity when it is stored in an empty urine collection jar or bottle than when it is stored in a urine collection bag.

Your urine will have a slightly lower specific gravity if it is kept in an ice cube than if it is kept in a bucket.

Urine Specific Gravity - What You Need to Know

Your urine will have a slightly higher specific gravity if it is stored in a cup or glass instead of a container. Your urine will have a slightly higher specific gravity if you are drinking a glass of water than if you are drinking a glass of milk.

Urine specific gravity can also be determined through other urine testing methods. One of the most common is urine lactose tolerance where an enzyme test is performed where a small amount of the urine is mixed with a laboratory dye to see if your urine has a certain amount of lactose, which is an indicator of diabetes.

Urine Specific Gravity - What You Need to Know

This dye reacts with the enzyme in your urine and shows whether you have a low or high tolerance of this sugar.

Another commonly used method to test your uric acid levels is called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This method uses a protein or antibody that will bind to the specific substance in your urine that has an effect on your ability to absorb nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium from the foods you eat.

When the enzyme or protein reacts with the specific substance, a color change will be produced indicating the amount of uric acid levels in your urine. Your specific gravity will then be determined based on how high your pH and creatinine levels are, and how much iron and calcium are being absorbed by your body.

Urine specific gravity is a useful indicator of your overall health and should be taken very seriously by those who suffer from certain medical conditions, particularly kidney disease. It helps doctors monitor their patients’ urinal fluid levels, to help them make the right treatment decisions when the need arises.

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