Specific Gravity
Why the test is performed
This test helps evaluate your body’s water balance and urine concentration.
Normal results
- Normal values are between 1.020 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.
What abnormal results mean
- 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
Source: National Institutes of Health