What does a specimen's specific gravity determine?

Specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in a liquid, and in the context of a urine specimen, it indicates the hydration level of the individual. A specific gravity within the normal range suggests that the specimen is not diluted and reflects typical hydration levels. On the other hand, a significantly lower specific gravity could indicate dilution, which might raise questions about the integrity of the specimen, especially in drug testing scenarios.

In drug testing, while certain characteristics of a specimen, such as its specific gravity, can help assess whether it meets expected parameters, it doesn’t directly indicate contamination, the presence of drugs, or the temperature of the specimen. Thus, the specific gravity serves a critical role in verifying the consistency and reliability of the urine specimen regarding hydration status.