Friday, February, 10, 2012

Osmolality

Table of Contents

Normal Values

Normal values range from 280 to 303 milliosmoles per kilogram.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

Higher than normal levels may indicate:

  • Dehydration
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Ethylene glycol poisoning
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Hypernatremia
  • Methanol poisoning
  • Renal tubular necrosis
  • Stroke or head trauma resulting in deficient ADH secretion
  • Uremia

Lower than normal levels may indicate:

  • Excess fluid intake
  • Hyponatremia
  • Overhydration
  • Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer
  • Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion

Review Date: 08/10/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)