Osmolality is a fundamental measurement of the total solute concentration of body fluids, including but not limited to, whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, and stool. It is a valuable clinical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Osmolality is a quick and effective test to help:
- Evaluate the body’s water balance and its ability to produce and concentrate urine
- Investigate low sodium levels (hyponatremia)
- Detect the presence of toxins in the body
- Monitor the electrolyte balance of patients receiving osmotically active drug therapies (e.g. mannitol used to treat cerebral edema).
It can also help monitor the effectiveness of a treatment or a condition found to be adversely affecting a person’s osmolality.