Body hydration levels are dynamic, meaning they fluctuate throughout the day. For instance, first-morning urine is generally more concentrated, typically resulting in a higher USG value. Factors like fluid intake, diet, climate, hormonal (circadian) rhythms, and activity levels significantly influence your body's hydration status. A spot urine test provides a snapshot of your hydration status at a specific moment. For a comprehensive hydration profile, it's advisable to monitor USG multiple times throughout the day. Relying on a single data point for a conclusive assessment can be misleading. For clinical evaluation using USG measurements, it is recommended to check USG on a 24-hour urine sample for a comprehensive analysis.
Urinalysis strip (dipstick) is a narrow plastic strip which has several square-shaped pads of different colors attached to it. Each small pad represents a component of the test used to interpret urinalysis. When dipped in the urine, pad colors change in response to the chemical characteristics of the urine. The color changes are noted at specific time intervals and compared against the reference color chart/key.