Specific gravity (kidney)
Encyclopedia
Specific gravity, in the context of clinical pathology
, is a urinalysis
parameter commonly used in the evaluation of kidney function and can aid in the diagnosis of various renal diseases.
s in humans and other mammals is to aid in the clearance
of various water-soluble molecules, including toxins, toxicant
s, and metabolic waste
. The body excretes
some of these waste molecules via urination
, and the role of the kidney is to concentrate
the urine, such that waste molecules can be excreted with minimal loss of water and nutrients. The concentration of the excreted molecules determines the urine's specific gravity
. In adult humans, normal specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.020.
, diarrhea
, emesis, excessive sweating
, glucosuria, renal artery stenosis
, hepatorenal syndrome
, decreased blood flow to the kidney (as a result of heart failure), and excess of antidiuretic hormone caused by Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
. A specific gravity greater than 1.035 is consistent with frank dehydration.
Specific gravity, in the context of clinical pathology
, is a urinalysis
parameter commonly used in the evaluation of kidney function and can aid in the diagnosis of various renal diseases.
s in humans and other mammals is to aid in the clearance
of various water-soluble molecules, including toxins, toxicant
s, and metabolic waste
. The body excretes
some of these waste molecules via urination
, and the role of the kidney is to concentrate
the urine, such that waste molecules can be excreted with minimal loss of water and nutrients. The concentration of the excreted molecules determines the urine's specific gravity
. In adult humans, normal specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.020.
, diarrhea
, emesis, excessive sweating
, glucosuria, renal artery stenosis
, hepatorenal syndrome
, decreased blood flow to the kidney (as a result of heart failure), and excess of antidiuretic hormone caused by Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
.Explanation of Hepatorenal Syndrome on MedlinePlus A specific gravity greater than 1.035 is consistent with frank dehydration.
Specific gravity, in the context of clinical pathology
, is a urinalysis
parameter commonly used in the evaluation of kidney function and can aid in the diagnosis of various renal diseases.
s in humans and other mammals is to aid in the clearance
of various water-soluble molecules, including toxins, toxicant
s, and metabolic waste
. The body excretes
some of these waste molecules via urination
, and the role of the kidney is to concentrate
the urine, such that waste molecules can be excreted with minimal loss of water and nutrients. The concentration of the excreted molecules determines the urine's specific gravity
. In adult humans, normal specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.020.
, diarrhea
, emesis, excessive sweating
, glucosuria, renal artery stenosis
, hepatorenal syndrome
, decreased blood flow to the kidney (as a result of heart failure), and excess of antidiuretic hormone caused by Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
.Explanation of Hepatorenal Syndrome on MedlinePlus A specific gravity greater than 1.035 is consistent with frank dehydration. Armstrong, L.E., Soto, J.A., Hacker, F.T., Casa, D.J., Kavouras, S.A., Maresh, C.M. (1998). "Urinary indices during dehydration, exercise, and rehydration." Int. J. Sport Nutr. 8: 345-355. In neonates, normal urine specific gravity is 1.003. A specific gravity of > 1.015 is considered hypovolemia.
Decreased specific gravity (hyposthenuria, i.e. decreased concentration of solutes in urine) may be associated with renal failure
, pyelonephritis
, diabetes insipidus
, acute tubular necrosis
, interstitial nephritis
, and excessive fluid intake (e.g., psychogenic polydipsia
).Explanation of Acute Tubular Necrosis on MedlinePlusExplanation of Interstitial Nephritis on MedlinePlus
Clinical pathology
Clinical pathology , Laboratory Medicine , Clinical analysis or Clinical/Medical Biology , is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as...
, is a urinalysis
Urinalysis
A urinalysis , also known as Routine and Microscopy , is an array of tests performed on urine, and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis...
parameter commonly used in the evaluation of kidney function and can aid in the diagnosis of various renal diseases.
Background
The role of the kidneyKidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
s in humans and other mammals is to aid in the clearance
Clearance (medicine)
In medicine, the clearance is a measurement of the renal excretion ability. Although clearance may also involve other organs than the kidney, it is almost synonymous with renal clearance or renal plasma clearance. Each substance has a specific clearance that depends on its filtration characteristics...
of various water-soluble molecules, including toxins, toxicant
Toxicant
A toxicant is a chemical compound that has an effect on organisms.A distinction can be drawn between "toxic" and toxin, with the latter being a subcategory of the former....
s, and metabolic waste
Metabolic waste
Metabolic wastes or excretes are substances left over from excretory processes, which cannot be used by the organism , and must therefore be excreted. This includes nitrogen compounds, water, CO2, phosphates, sulfates, insoles, medicals, food additives etc. Animals treat these compounds as excretes...
. The body excretes
Excretion
Excretion is the process by which waste products of metabolism and other non-useful materials are eliminated from an organism. This is primarily carried out by the lungs, kidneys and skin. This is in contrast with secretion, where the substance may have specific tasks after leaving the cell...
some of these waste molecules via urination
Urination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
, and the role of the kidney is to concentrate
Concentration
In chemistry, concentration is defined as the abundance of a constituent divided by the total volume of a mixture. Four types can be distinguished: mass concentration, molar concentration, number concentration, and volume concentration...
the urine, such that waste molecules can be excreted with minimal loss of water and nutrients. The concentration of the excreted molecules determines the urine's specific gravity
Specific gravity
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a volume of the substance to the weight of an equal volume of the reference substance. The reference substance is nearly always water for...
. In adult humans, normal specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.020.
Specific gravity and disease
Increases in specific gravity (hypersthenuria, i.e. increased concentration of solutes in the urine) may be associated with dehydrationDehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, emesis, excessive sweating
Sweating
Perspiration is the production of a fluid consisting primarily of water as well as various dissolved solids , that is excreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals...
, glucosuria, renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of the renal artery, most often caused by atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia. This narrowing of the renal artery can impede blood flow to the target kidney...
, hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome is a life-threatening medical condition that consists of rapid deterioration in kidney function in individuals with cirrhosis or fulminant liver failure...
, decreased blood flow to the kidney (as a result of heart failure), and excess of antidiuretic hormone caused by Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion is characterized by excessive release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary gland or another source. The result is hyponatremia and sometimes fluid overload...
. A specific gravity greater than 1.035 is consistent with frank dehydration.
Specific gravity, in the context of clinical pathology
Clinical pathology
Clinical pathology , Laboratory Medicine , Clinical analysis or Clinical/Medical Biology , is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as...
, is a urinalysis
Urinalysis
A urinalysis , also known as Routine and Microscopy , is an array of tests performed on urine, and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis...
parameter commonly used in the evaluation of kidney function and can aid in the diagnosis of various renal diseases.
Background
The role of the kidneyKidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
s in humans and other mammals is to aid in the clearance
Clearance (medicine)
In medicine, the clearance is a measurement of the renal excretion ability. Although clearance may also involve other organs than the kidney, it is almost synonymous with renal clearance or renal plasma clearance. Each substance has a specific clearance that depends on its filtration characteristics...
of various water-soluble molecules, including toxins, toxicant
Toxicant
A toxicant is a chemical compound that has an effect on organisms.A distinction can be drawn between "toxic" and toxin, with the latter being a subcategory of the former....
s, and metabolic waste
Metabolic waste
Metabolic wastes or excretes are substances left over from excretory processes, which cannot be used by the organism , and must therefore be excreted. This includes nitrogen compounds, water, CO2, phosphates, sulfates, insoles, medicals, food additives etc. Animals treat these compounds as excretes...
. The body excretes
Excretion
Excretion is the process by which waste products of metabolism and other non-useful materials are eliminated from an organism. This is primarily carried out by the lungs, kidneys and skin. This is in contrast with secretion, where the substance may have specific tasks after leaving the cell...
some of these waste molecules via urination
Urination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
, and the role of the kidney is to concentrate
Concentration
In chemistry, concentration is defined as the abundance of a constituent divided by the total volume of a mixture. Four types can be distinguished: mass concentration, molar concentration, number concentration, and volume concentration...
the urine, such that waste molecules can be excreted with minimal loss of water and nutrients. The concentration of the excreted molecules determines the urine's specific gravity
Specific gravity
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a volume of the substance to the weight of an equal volume of the reference substance. The reference substance is nearly always water for...
. In adult humans, normal specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.020.
Specific gravity and disease
Increases in specific gravity (hypersthenuria, i.e. increased concentration of solutes in the urine) may be associated with dehydrationDehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, emesis, excessive sweating
Sweating
Perspiration is the production of a fluid consisting primarily of water as well as various dissolved solids , that is excreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals...
, glucosuria, renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of the renal artery, most often caused by atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia. This narrowing of the renal artery can impede blood flow to the target kidney...
, hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome is a life-threatening medical condition that consists of rapid deterioration in kidney function in individuals with cirrhosis or fulminant liver failure...
, decreased blood flow to the kidney (as a result of heart failure), and excess of antidiuretic hormone caused by Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion is characterized by excessive release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary gland or another source. The result is hyponatremia and sometimes fluid overload...
.Explanation of Hepatorenal Syndrome on MedlinePlus A specific gravity greater than 1.035 is consistent with frank dehydration.
Specific gravity, in the context of clinical pathology
Clinical pathology
Clinical pathology , Laboratory Medicine , Clinical analysis or Clinical/Medical Biology , is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as...
, is a urinalysis
Urinalysis
A urinalysis , also known as Routine and Microscopy , is an array of tests performed on urine, and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis...
parameter commonly used in the evaluation of kidney function and can aid in the diagnosis of various renal diseases.
Background
The role of the kidneyKidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
s in humans and other mammals is to aid in the clearance
Clearance (medicine)
In medicine, the clearance is a measurement of the renal excretion ability. Although clearance may also involve other organs than the kidney, it is almost synonymous with renal clearance or renal plasma clearance. Each substance has a specific clearance that depends on its filtration characteristics...
of various water-soluble molecules, including toxins, toxicant
Toxicant
A toxicant is a chemical compound that has an effect on organisms.A distinction can be drawn between "toxic" and toxin, with the latter being a subcategory of the former....
s, and metabolic waste
Metabolic waste
Metabolic wastes or excretes are substances left over from excretory processes, which cannot be used by the organism , and must therefore be excreted. This includes nitrogen compounds, water, CO2, phosphates, sulfates, insoles, medicals, food additives etc. Animals treat these compounds as excretes...
. The body excretes
Excretion
Excretion is the process by which waste products of metabolism and other non-useful materials are eliminated from an organism. This is primarily carried out by the lungs, kidneys and skin. This is in contrast with secretion, where the substance may have specific tasks after leaving the cell...
some of these waste molecules via urination
Urination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
, and the role of the kidney is to concentrate
Concentration
In chemistry, concentration is defined as the abundance of a constituent divided by the total volume of a mixture. Four types can be distinguished: mass concentration, molar concentration, number concentration, and volume concentration...
the urine, such that waste molecules can be excreted with minimal loss of water and nutrients. The concentration of the excreted molecules determines the urine's specific gravity
Specific gravity
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a volume of the substance to the weight of an equal volume of the reference substance. The reference substance is nearly always water for...
. In adult humans, normal specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.020.
Specific gravity and disease
Increases in specific gravity (hypersthenuria, i.e. increased concentration of solutes in the urine) may be associated with dehydrationDehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, emesis, excessive sweating
Sweating
Perspiration is the production of a fluid consisting primarily of water as well as various dissolved solids , that is excreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals...
, glucosuria, renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of the renal artery, most often caused by atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia. This narrowing of the renal artery can impede blood flow to the target kidney...
, hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome is a life-threatening medical condition that consists of rapid deterioration in kidney function in individuals with cirrhosis or fulminant liver failure...
, decreased blood flow to the kidney (as a result of heart failure), and excess of antidiuretic hormone caused by Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion is characterized by excessive release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary gland or another source. The result is hyponatremia and sometimes fluid overload...
.Explanation of Hepatorenal Syndrome on MedlinePlus A specific gravity greater than 1.035 is consistent with frank dehydration. Armstrong, L.E., Soto, J.A., Hacker, F.T., Casa, D.J., Kavouras, S.A., Maresh, C.M. (1998). "Urinary indices during dehydration, exercise, and rehydration." Int. J. Sport Nutr. 8: 345-355. In neonates, normal urine specific gravity is 1.003. A specific gravity of > 1.015 is considered hypovolemia.
Decreased specific gravity (hyposthenuria, i.e. decreased concentration of solutes in urine) may be associated with renal failure
Renal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
, pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is an ascending urinary tract infection that has reached the pyelum or pelvis of the kidney. It is a form of nephritis that is also referred to as pyelitis...
, diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine, with reduction of fluid intake having no effect on the concentration of the urine. There are several different types of DI, each with a different cause...
, acute tubular necrosis
Acute tubular necrosis
Acute tubular necrosis or is a medical condition involving the death of tubular cells that form the tubule that transports urine to the ureters while reabsorbing 99% of the water . Tubular cells continually replace themselves and if the cause of ATN is removed then recovery is likely...
, interstitial nephritis
Interstitial nephritis
Interstitial nephritis is a form of nephritis affecting the interstitium of the kidneys surrounding the tubules...
, and excessive fluid intake (e.g., psychogenic polydipsia
Psychogenic polydipsia
Primary polydipsia or psychogenic polydipsia is a special form of polydipsia. It is usually associated with a patient's increasing fluid intake due to the sensation of having a dry mouth....
).Explanation of Acute Tubular Necrosis on MedlinePlusExplanation of Interstitial Nephritis on MedlinePlus