A diluted drug test result means that your urine sample was too watered down to get an accurate reading. There are a few reasons why this may happen:
- You drank a lot of water before the test to try to “flush out” drugs from your system.
- You took diuretics or other medications that increase urine output.
- Your body was fighting an illness and you were dehydrated, so your kidneys conserved water.
A diluted sample does not automatically mean you failed the drug test. However, it does raise suspicions that you were trying to cheat the test. Most drug testing facilities will require you to come back and provide another urine sample if your first one is too diluted.
Why do drug tests get diluted?
There are a few reasons why a drug test may come back diluted:
- Intentional dilution: Some people try to cheat drug tests by drinking excessive amounts of water or taking diuretics to increase urine output. This dilutes the concentration of any drugs in the urine below detectable levels.
- Unintentional dilution: Illnesses like vomiting, diarrhea, or fever can cause dehydration and low urine concentrations. Certain medical conditions like diabetes insipidus also increase urination and dilution.
- Testing error: Very rarely, the sample may get diluted during transportation or testing procedures. This is usually caught during quality control checks.
Most of the time, dilution happens because the donor intentionally over-hydrated before the test. Urine that is too clear and looks like plain water is a sign of dilution. Normal urine should be a pale yellow color.
Can you fail a drug test for having dilute urine?
You cannot automatically fail a drug test for having dilute urine. However, it does raise red flags with employers that you may have been trying to cheat.
Most drug testing facilities have procedures in place for handling diluted samples:
- The sample will be rejected and you will have to provide another urine specimen within a few hours.
- If it happens a second time, the diluted result is considered a positive drug test for some employers.
- Others may send your sample for more stringent lab testing to look for any trace amounts of drugs.
So while one diluted sample is not immediately considered a failed test, two or more diluted results are treated as a positive drug screen by many companies.
How to avoid a dilute urine drug test
To avoid an inconclusive diluted result, follow these tips when taking a urine drug test:
- Avoid drinking excess fluids. Consume normal amounts of fluids before the test.
- Don’t exercise heavily in the days before the test which can lead to dehydration.
- Avoid diuretics and other medications that flush out your system.
- Take B vitamins which color the urine yellow.
- Take the test first thing in the morning when urine is most concentrated.
The best way to pass a drug test is to avoid drug use in the weeks before. Attempting to cheat by diluting or flushing your system rarely works and only raises suspicions.
Consequences of a dilute drug test
Here are some potential consequences of having a diluted urine sample on a drug test:
- You will need to retake the drug test which is inconvenient.
- Employers may interpret dilution as evidence you are hiding drug use.
- A second diluted sample may be considered a failed drug test.
- Dilution may result in more stringent lab testing procedures.
- Some employers may withdraw job offers if your sample is too diluted.
While one diluted sample is not end-of-the-world, consecutive diluted results suggest you are trying to cheat. This can seriously jeopardize job opportunities and prospects.
What to do if your drug test is diluted
If your urine sample comes back too diluted to get a clear result, here are some steps to take:
- Inform your employer – Explain that you did not intentionally dilute the sample and request a retest.
- Stop over-hydrating – Drink normal amounts of fluid before the retest.
- Take a vitamin B complex – This adds color back to clear urine.
- Use first morning urine – It’s the most concentrated.
- Follow collection rules – Don’t overfill the sample cup.
Being upfront with your employer and explaining it was not intentional dilution helps improve your chances of a second opportunity. Avoid any behavior that seems like cheating on the retest.
How employers handle diluted results
Most employers follow set procedures for dealing with diluted drug tests:
- The first diluted sample is rejected and reported as an invalid result.
- You will be asked to take the urine test again within 1-3 hours.
- A second diluted sample may be considered a failed or positive test.
- Some employers will automatically withdraw job offers after two diluted samples.
- Other employers may send the second sample for further laboratory testing.
While the first dilution is usually just seen as an inconvenience, two consecutive diluted results are treated as suspicious. Handling varies between companies, so check your employer’s drug testing policy.
Can you pass a drug test with diluted urine?
It is very difficult to pass a drug test by submitting a diluted urine sample. Here’s why:
- Diluted samples are easily flagged during analysis – they will be rejected and you will have to retest.
- You are essentially just delaying the inevitable – drugs can still be detected once you provide an undiluted sample.
- Trying to cheat makes you seem suspicious – employers may interpret dilution as admission of drug use.
- Over-hydrating can dangerously lower electrolyte levels.
The best way to pass a urine drug test is to abstain from drug use for as long as possible before the test. There is no foolproof way to cheat on a drug test without detection.
Conclusion
A diluted urine sample on a drug test is fairly common and not automatically considered a failed test. However, consecutive diluted results are treated with suspicion. The best way to avoid any issues is to not over-hydrate before the test. Abstaining from drug use and having good hydration in the days leading up to the test can help prevent dilution problems. Being upfront and taking corrective steps like taking a B complex vitamin demonstrates that the dilution was unintentional. While it is inconvenient having to retest, following the proper procedures minimizes any adverse actions by employers. Attempting to cheat through dilution rarely works and will only heighten suspicions of drug use.