What causes urine specific gravity to be high?

1. Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. This can cause the urine to become concentrated, and the specific gravity to increase. Dehydration can be caused by a number of factors, including:

- Not drinking enough fluids

- Sweating excessively

- Diuretic medications

- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes insipidus

2. Proteinuria

Proteinuria is a condition in which the urine contains an abnormal amount of protein. This can cause the specific gravity to increase, as protein is denser than water. Proteinuria can be caused by a number of factors, including:

- Kidney damage

- Diabetes

- Multiple myeloma

- Preeclampsia

3. Glycosuria

Glycosuria is a condition in which the urine contains an abnormal amount of glucose. This can cause the specific gravity to increase, as glucose is denser than water. Glycosuria is most commonly caused by diabetes, but can also be caused by other conditions, such as:

- Kidney damage

- Cushing's syndrome

- Acromegaly

4. Ketonuria

Ketonuria is a condition in which the urine contains an abnormal amount of ketones. This can cause the specific gravity to increase, as ketones are denser than water. Ketonuria is most commonly caused by starvation or uncontrolled diabetes, but can also be caused by other conditions, such as:

- Alcoholism

- Pregnancy

- Certain medications

5. Other conditions

A number of other conditions can also cause the urine specific gravity to be high, including:

- Renal failure

- Heart failure

- Cirrhosis

- Certain medications, such as diuretics and contrast agents