Dilute Urine in Drug Test

student4ever · Aug 10, 2006

I have been accepted into a Nursing program and have taken two drug tests. Both have come back "outside the parameters". Too dilute to read. I don't understand why this is happening. But yesterday they told me I didn't even have to stay for orientation. They will have to convene the board about me. I'm crushed. I pleaded with them to allow me to do a blood test. "We'll see." Can you give me some reason this test could be doing this?

Do you drink a lot of water? Have a below normal body temperature?? I do drug screens almost daily, and for us at least, "outside normal parameters" means it didn't show up the right temperature when we first take the urine sample. Ask for a witnessed collection, make sure you wash your hands right before the test (shows that you didn't use some chemicals to change the results), empty your pockets, etc. There may even be a way that you could request catheterization for the specimen to indeed prove it is your urine, and not some other substance, if that is the problem. I would say fight it, because there are many steps along the process that could be points at which the collector is not collecting correctly, or it's fairly easy for someone to cheat the system. And believe me, I've seen it done! Now if it is a problem of something showing up in your urine abnormally, then that would be something to talk to your doctor about. Unfortunately, a lot of the things they test for in urine are more difficult to test for in the blood, or so I've heard. Good luck to you, so sorry you're dealing with these troubles!!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2006

If it is too dilute, you may be drinking too much fluid before the test.

I personally have a "bashful" bladder and drink additional fluid to make sure that I can go when I get to the lab. Unfortunately, I ran into problems when I was sent to a lab that made me wait 2 hours before giving a specimen...I kept voiding a small amount and then drinking more water, while I waited.....and waited...and waited. The specimen came back as too dilute.

But for several specimens to come back dilute and/or outside normal parameters will look suspicious, so it is understandable that they are concerned. See if they will do a blood screen/hair sample.

Melina · Aug 10, 2006

I have been accepted into a Nursing program and have taken two drug tests. Both have come back "outside the parameters". Too dilute to read. I don't understand why this is happening. But yesterday they told me I didn't even have to stay for orientation. They will have to convene the board about me. I'm crushed. I pleaded with them to allow me to do a blood test. "We'll see." Can you give me some reason this test could be doing this?

If they are too dilute, can you take one first thing in the morning? I used to get drug tested all the time at work, and I used to have the dilution problem, because I keep myself pretty hydrated. I couldn't do much because mine were random, but you might be able to work it out. Didn't the lab or anyone give you any suggestions after your first dilution?

~Mel'

sandys · Aug 10, 2006

When this happened to me they had me go eat a hamburger (protein), drink nothing, and come back in 2 hours. It worked. If you know you're not doing anything to alter the results, I would fight it till the end.

Nvr2Old · Aug 10, 2006

If they are too dilute, can you take one first thing in the morning? I used to get drug tested all the time at work, and I used to have the dilution problem, because I keep myself pretty hydrated. I couldn't do much because mine were random, but you might be able to work it out. Didn't the lab or anyone give you any suggestions after your first dilution?
~Mel'

Yeah. They told me to lay off the caffeine and just drink water. I work in a hot kitchen so I drink alot of fluid. Mainly tea and water.

Melina · Aug 10, 2006

Yeah. They told me to lay off the caffeine and just drink water. I work in a hot kitchen so I drink alot of fluid. Mainly tea and water.

No wonder. Caffeine is a diuretic, but water is what dilutes the test. Usually if you aren't over-hydrated (going to the bathroom all the time) then the urine shouldn't be too dilute. Eating protein is a good idea because they test creatine levels to detect dilution. Or they just look at it, in which case there is little you can do.

I would request a blood test. Not sure, but I think it's not standard because it's more expensive and invasive, but blood tests are quite accurate. Keep us updated.

~Mel'