Urine Specific Gravity
Urine specific gravity measures how concentrated urine is compared with pure water and reflects the kidney's ability to concentrate or dilute urine. Low values suggest overhydration or impaired concentrating ability in diabetes insipidus, while high values indicate dehydration, glycosuria, or proteinuria. It is interpreted together with clinical hydration status and other urinalysis findings.
Optimal range: who says what
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for Urine Specific Gravity. How we verify ranges.
- No stated targetNo separate optimal establishedReflects hydration; persistent extremes warrant follow-up
- Lab reference interval1.005-1.030What a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
3 providers include this
Urinalysis
Why Urine Specific Gravity matters
Measures urine concentration, reflecting kidney's ability to concentrate or dilute urine. Low values suggest overhydration or kidney concentrating defect; high values indicate dehydration or conditions causing excess solutes.
Reading a Urine Specific Gravity result
Specific gravity measures how concentrated urine is. MedlinePlus gives a normal range of 1.005 to 1.030. The dipstick value is rough; urine osmolality is the more precise test.
Common causes of a high result
- Dehydration
- Glucose in the urine
- Heart failure or shock
- High blood sodium
- SIADH
- Adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)
Common causes of a low result
- Drinking a lot of fluid
- Diabetes insipidus
- Kidney failure or tubular damage
- Low blood sodium
- Severe kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
Caveat: Recent IV contrast dye, anesthesia, dextran, sucrose and some herbal remedies can affect the result (MedlinePlus).
What to check next
- Serum sodium
- Urine glucose on the same strip
- Urine osmolality when a precise value matters
Sources: MedlinePlus: Urine specific gravity test. Checked against these sources 2026-09-23. General information, not medical advice; your lab's reference interval and your clinician's reading take precedence.
Which Providers Test Urine Specific Gravity?
Empirical Health is both the cheapest ($190/year) and the most comprehensive (100+ biomarkers) panel that includes Urine Specific Gravity.
3 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $190 | 100+ | $1.90 | |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $499 | 100+ | $4.99 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
18 itemized panels do not include Urine Specific Gravity
Superpower · WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · Mito Health · InsideTracker · Function Health · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Marek Health Executive · Oura Health Panels · SiPhox Health · Hims Labs · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer Urine Specific Gravity. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Urine Specific Gravity?
No separate optimal established: Reflects hydration; persistent extremes warrant follow-up. Lab reference interval: 1.005-1.030. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Urine Specific Gravity?
3 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Urine Specific Gravity in their panels. This biomarker has limited availability.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Nov 30, 2025