Test Code OSM24 Osmolality, 24 Hour, Urine
Necessary Information
24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.
Specimen Required
Supplies:
-Diazolidinyl Urea (Germall), 5.0 mL (T822)
-Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)
Container/Tube: 24-hour graduated urine container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 10 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect urine for 24 hours
2. Add 5 mL of diazolidinyl urea as preservative at start of collection or refrigerate specimen during and after collection.
Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.
Useful For
Assessing the concentrating and diluting ability of the kidney using a 24-hour urine collection
Method Name
Freezing Point Depression
Reporting Name
Osmolality, 24 HR, USpecimen Type
UrineSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days | |
Ambient | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Clinical Information
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 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 Values
0-11 months: 50-750 mOsm/kg
≥12 months: 150-1,150 mOsm/kg
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
Same day/1 dayPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
83935