What does low specific gravity of urine indicate?

Low specific gravity of urine indicates a higher dilution of urine, which is typically associated with overhydration. Specific gravity is a measurement of the concentration of solutes in urine; when the body is well-hydrated or overhydrated, the kidneys excrete a larger volume of urine that has fewer dissolved substances, resulting in a lower specific gravity.

This condition can occur when a person consumes an excessive amount of fluids, leading to a decreased concentration of waste products in the urine. In contrast, dehydration would result in a higher specific gravity as the body would conserve water, leading to more concentrated urine. Normal hydration should result in a specific gravity within a normal range, while conditions like kidney stones would not necessarily be indicated by low specific gravity but rather could manifest differently in urine concentration and content.