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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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OSMOLALITY, URINE

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2792    Geisinger Epic ID:  6880

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Random urine


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

5 mL aliquot urine; minimum 5 mL



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Stable 10 days refrigerated.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

50 - 1200 mOsm/kg.


CPT code(s):  83935
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Methodology: 
Freezing Point
Synonyms: 

Urine osmolality, urine osmo, OSMOU


Clinical significance: 

Urine osmolality measures the amount of osmotically active solute molecules. It is commonly used to investigate low sodium (hyponetremia) and presence of toxins (methanol, ethylene glycol), drug therapies (mannitol, glycine), or metabolic disorders (glucose in diabetes). Urine osmolality is frequently ordered with serum osmolality to evaluate water balance and increased/decreased urine output. Increased urine output may result from diabetes, increased fluid intake, or inappropriate amounts of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Benjamin Andress, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/30/2024

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