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Osmolality, Urine

CPT/HCPCS 83935
Order Code CH759
Turnaround Time 24 hours
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Urine
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)

2 mL urine Transport Tube – no preservative

Preferred Specimens
Urine
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
Transport at Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Temperature Period
Room temperature 7 days
Refrigerated 7 days
Frozen Unacceptable
Test Details
Methodology
Spectrophotometry, Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE), calculation
Clinical Significance

Assessing the concentrating and diluting ability of the kidney. Osmolality is an index of the solute concentration. Urine osmolality is a measure of the concentration of osmotically active particles, principally sodium, chloride, potassium, and urea; glucose can contribute significantly to the osmolality when present in substantial amounts in urine. Urinary osmolality corresponds to urine specific gravity in nondisease states. The ability of the kidney to maintain both tonicity and water balance of the extracellular fluid can be evaluated by measuring the osmolality of the urine either routinely or under artificial conditions. More information concerning the state of renal water handling or abnormalities of urine dilution or concentration can be obtained if urinary osmolality is compared to serum osmolality and if urine electrolyte studies are performed. Normally, the ratio of urine osmolality to serum osmolality is 1.0 to 3.0, reflecting a wide range of urine osmolality

Reference Ranges

24 hr: 300 – 900 Random: 50 – 1400 After 12hr fluid restriction: >850