Why do I need an osmolality test?
You may need a serum osmolality or urine osmolality test if you have symptoms of a fluid imbalance, diabetes insipidus, or certain types of poisoning.
Symptoms of a fluid imbalance and diabetes insipidus are similar and may include:
Excessive thirst (if dehydrated)
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Fatigue
Seizures
Symptoms of poisoning will be different depending on the type of the substance that was swallowed, but may include:
Nausea and vomiting
Convulsions, a condition that causes uncontrollable shaking of your muscles
Difficulty breathing
Slurred speech
You may also need a urine osmolality if you have trouble urinating or are urinating too much.
You may need a stool osmolality test if you have chronic diarrhea that can't be explained by a bacterial or parasitic infection or another cause such as intestinal damage.
