Dilute Urine Question

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Apr 25, 2015

Don't stress, they'll call you. If it came out of your body it's likely fine for testing.

michelledandersen · Apr 25, 2015

Cool Cool! It was certainly mine all mine lol! I just want to avoid any delays .....procedures for getting into the program once you've been approved are very intense! Thank you for responding!!!

Michelle

amoLucia · Apr 25, 2015

If there's a problem, they'll call you.

This is one time you'll get a prompt response if nec.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 25, 2015

They can tell or will request another sample. I run into this with substance abuse patients who are routinely tested and I always wonder why anyone would drink a ton of water or other liquid when they know they are going to be peed?

michelledandersen · Apr 25, 2015

Well, JulesA, I can tell you for certain I am no substance abuser.... and I am not sure about them but I drink only water for the most part. Also, I haven't had a ton of drug tests in my life so I am unfamiliar with the ins and outs of them. The only reason I even knew that a urine specimen of any sort could be too dilute is because at orientation for school she said not to drink too much water or it will happen. That being said, I didn't realize that 2 12 ounce bottles over a 7 hour period constituted a ton of water hahahahaha. I am sure I am fine, I just felt like it was really clear....Thank you for you input though.

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2015

In some testing settings, the lab tech/person collecting the specimen will perform a point of care test to immediately test the specific gravity, and will inform an applicant if too dilute. Some do not.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Apr 25, 2015

I run into this with substance abuse patients who are routinely tested and I always wonder why anyone would drink a ton of water or other liquid when they know they are going to be peed?

Not everyone who drinks a lot of water before a drug test is trying to hide something. When I had my drug test for school, I drank a lot of water on my way there so I would be able to provide a sample.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2015

Simply put, if the specific gravity of your urine is WNL, you'll be fine. If not....they will request another sample. I've known of folks who have been told to come in at XX time to present the first urine of the morning....if they "can't" comply, they are told to sit in view of the lab tech for a specific number of hours with a documented amount of water, and then get tested. One way or the other, it works out fine....unless, of course, there ARE drugs involved. You don't have that problem, so...it'll be fine :)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2015

Not everyone who drinks a lot of water before a drug test is trying to hide something. When I had my drug test for school, I drank a lot of water on my way there so I would be able to provide a sample.

True. But from a lab perspective, there's a distinct difference between drinking enough water to be sure you can urinate....and someone who is trying to dilute his urine so that the drugs are "diluted' too....and it's the latter scenario that backfires.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 26, 2015

True. But from a lab perspective, there's a distinct difference between drinking enough water to be sure you can urinate....and someone who is trying to dilute his urine so that the drugs are "diluted' too....and it's the latter scenario that backfires.

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Exactly.

Lighten up folks. I wasn't insinuating anyone here is a substance abuser or was attempting to dilute their urine because quite often the patients who I have peed weren't attempting to do it either just that it doesn't make sense to me to load up on water when you know you will be pee tested. No biggie just wondering and I also wouldn't have figured 24oz over 7 hours would result in a dilute appearing urine.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 26, 2015

OP, here a just a couple of things concerning me. First off, that you don't seem to be eating a whole lot, while drinking copious amounts of water.

Secondly, that your concern is in how dilute your urine is, and in fact if you would be required to retest because of it.

If you have to retest, you have to retest. And I am sure that the school will either accept all the results, or not.

There is something about the tone of your OP that is just odd to me. And please, if eating (or lack thereof) is concerning to you, as is the amount of water you are needing to consume, please see your PCP. We can not give medical advice per AN TOS, however, this is raising a giant red flag for me.

Wishing you nothing but the best!