SG in a urine test refers to specific gravity, which is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine [1, 2, 3].
Understanding Urine Specific Gravity
Specific gravity (SG) assesses how concentrated your urine is compared to pure water. It indicates the kidney's ability to concentrate urine and provides information about your hydration status and kidney function [1, 2, 3].
Key Aspects of Urine Specific Gravity:
- Measurement: It's a ratio of urine density to water density.
- Indication: Provides insight into the kidney's concentrating ability [1, 2, 3].
- Part of Urinalysis: A routine component of a standard urinalysis [1, 2, 3].
Why is Urine Specific Gravity Important?
Urine specific gravity helps healthcare professionals evaluate:
- Hydration Status: High specific gravity often indicates dehydration, while low specific gravity can mean overhydration.
- Kidney Function: Abnormal values can point to kidney problems affecting their ability to concentrate urine.
- Certain Medical Conditions: It can be affected by conditions like diabetes insipidus, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), and other disorders.
