how to avoid dilute/abnormal uds

I recall reading some posts about how to avoid dilutes/abnormals. This is directly from IPN and I think it will benefit anyone struggling with urine screens, regardless of the program you're in or the company who screens you. Hope it helps!

Avoiding a Dilute or an Abnormal Urine Specimen

Urine specimens are called Abnormal if the creatinine is out of a normal range and our usual concern is

if creatinine is less than 20 mg/dL (or below the normal range). It is called Dilute if the specific gravity is

less than 1.0030 but greater than 1.0010. These cutoffs were chosen because most people must

consume very significant amounts of water or fluids composed of water to produce a specimen with a

creatinine lower than 20 mg/dL. It has been noted that having a low muscle mass has been associated

with lower urine creatinine levels because creatinine is a metabolite of muscle. The problem with an

abnormal and/or dilute specimen is that it results in our inability to assure accurate valid detection of

any of the impairing psychoactive substances being tested. This is a significant issue because we must

be able to assure the safety of the public by monitoring for impairing substances with fully valid testing.

A commonly used method to avoid drug detection is to consume a large amount of fluid. We

understand that some of our participants may drink large amounts of water, not for deception, but for

health reasons or simply to be prepared” to provide a urine specimen.

Our participants who have had difficulty with this issue can follow some simple guidelines to avoid

providing another abnormal or dilute test. These are:

ï‚· Avoid all diuretics and/or caffeine on the day of the selection until AFTER the collection is done.

ï‚· Going to the collection site while the first morning urine is still in the bladder to provide this as

the specimen is an option that works for many of our participants.

ï‚· Alternatively, you should empty your bladder approximately 4 or 5 hours prior to your planned

arrival at the collection site and then avoid all fluids. Only if you become very thirsty prior to

testing, you may drink very small amounts of milk, tomato juice or a protein shake to quench

your thirst. If there is insufficient urine to submit a specimen upon arrival at the collection site,

you may then drink 20‐30 oz. of any fluid without alcohol at any time after your arrival.

Providing you produce a urine specimen within one hour, it should still be adequately

concentrated for fully valid testing.

By following the simple guideline of restricting fluids in the several hours before providing a specimen,

you will very likely avoid ever having a dilute or abnormal urine specimen and ensure that the result of

your test provides a valid indicator of your sobriety.