Urine is a widely used sample in laboratories for diagnostic testing and drug testing. It is a non-invasive way to provide a sample for testing. But sometimes, people may try to submit a sample of synthetic urine instead of real urine. So, can labs tell the difference between real and synthetic urine?
Real vs Synthetic Urine
Real urine is produced by the body and contains various components, such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, and electrolytes. Synthetic urine, on the other hand, is artificially created in a laboratory setting. It closely resembles real urine, but it does not contain the same components.
Lab Testing for Differentiation
Laboratories can tell the difference between real and synthetic urine by testing the sample for certain components. For example, real urine contains creatinine, while synthetic urine does not. Urine drug testing also looks for the presence of certain drug metabolites, which are only present in real urine.
In addition, laboratories may also use spectrophotometry to differentiate between real and synthetic urine. This test measures the light absorption of the sample, and can provide an indication of whether it is real or synthetic.
Overall, labs have a number of methods for testing urine samples and determining whether they are real or synthetic.
In conclusion, labs can tell the difference between real and synthetic urine. They use a variety of tests, such as testing for certain components and spectrophotometry, to make this determination. Knowing this information is important for those who are submitting a urine sample for testing.
