Normal Urine Output in 5 Hours
Producing 800ml of urine in 5 hours (160ml/hour) is completely normal and does not indicate any pathology, even with normal lab results. This output falls well within the expected physiological range for healthy individuals.
Understanding Normal Urine Output
- Normal urine output ranges from 0.5-2.0 mL/kg/hour in adults, which translates to approximately 800-2000ml per day for an average-sized person 1, 2
- Your output of 160ml/hour is at the higher end of normal, likely reflecting adequate hydration status 1
- Urine output below 0.5 mL/kg/hour for more than 6 hours would be concerning and is used as a criterion for acute kidney injury, but your output is well above this threshold 3
Factors Influencing Your Urine Volume
Fluid intake is the primary determinant of urine volume in healthy individuals. Several physiological factors explain why you produced this amount:
- Adequate hydration increases urine output as the kidneys excrete excess water to maintain fluid balance 1
- Time of day matters—first morning specimens are typically more concentrated, while daytime urine after fluid intake is more dilute 4, 5
- Physical activity, temperature, and dietary factors (caffeine, alcohol, high-protein meals) can temporarily increase urine production 1, 2
Why Normal Labs Support This Being Physiologic
Your normal laboratory results confirm this is healthy kidney function:
- Normal serum creatinine indicates your kidneys are filtering appropriately and not in a pathologic state of overproduction 3
- Normal electrolytes rule out diabetes insipidus or other concentration defects 3
- The absence of proteinuria, hematuria, or abnormal urinalysis findings confirms this is simple physiologic diuresis rather than kidney disease 4, 1
When Urine Output Would Be Concerning
You should only worry about urine output in these specific scenarios:
- Polyuria: Producing >3 liters per day (>125ml/hour sustained over 24 hours) with excessive thirst could indicate diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus 3
- Oliguria: Output <400-500ml per day (<0.5ml/kg/hour for >6 hours) suggests acute kidney injury and requires urgent evaluation 3
- Associated symptoms: If accompanied by dysuria, frequency, fever, or flank pain, urinary tract infection should be considered 1, 6
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not confuse a single 5-hour measurement with 24-hour urine output. Your 800ml in 5 hours, if sustained, would equal approximately 3.8 liters per day, which would warrant evaluation. However, urine production varies significantly throughout the day based on fluid intake, activity, and circadian rhythms 1, 2. A single measurement during a period of high fluid intake does not represent your baseline kidney function.