Test Information:
Urinary specific gravity (SG) is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. It measures the ratio of urine density compared with water density and provides information on the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine.
Specimen Container:
Sterile / Plain Urine Container
Specimen Type:
First Morning Urine
Random Urine
Required Volume:
10 to 20 mL
Patient Preparation:
No Patient Preparation
Notes:
To obtain optimal results, it is recommended that freshly collected specimen must be submitted in the laboratory as soon as possible or 1 hour after specimen collection.
- However, if delay in transportation occurs, it is vital to follow the stipulated storage and stability. Specimen received beyond the stipulated storage and stability is considered “sub-optimal” in nature.
- Refrigerated specimen may cause precipitation of amorphous and other non pathologic crystals that can obscure other elements in the urine sediment.
- For pediatric and/or geriatric patients, 5mL urine volume is acceptable for processing.
Storage & Stability
(Before Processing)
- Optimal Specimen:
Storage: 2 to 8°C
Stability: 1 hour - Specimen must be processed as soon as possible. If not, specimen must be store at;
Storage: 2 to 8°C
Stability: 24 hours
Transport Temperature:
Ref (2˚C – 8˚C)
Test Category:
Routine
Test Schedule:
Daily
Results Availability:
Within 4 hours