In general, modern labs can detect the difference between real and synthetic urine, particularly if they use specialized tests designed to identify synthetic urine. These tests look for the presence of certain compounds or substances that are present in synthetic urine but not in real urine. Some common markers that labs may use to detect synthetic urine include:
- pH levels: Synthetic urine often has a different pH level than real urine, which can be detected using a pH test.
- Creatinine levels: Creatinine is a waste product that is naturally produced by the body and excreted in urine. Synthetic urine typically contains little or no creatinine, which can be used to distinguish it from real urine.
- Specific gravity: This is a measure of how concentrated urine is. Synthetic urine typically has a specific gravity that is outside the normal range for human urine, which can be detected using a specialized test.
- Temperature: Urine that is submitted for drug testing should be at body temperature. Labs may test the temperature of the sample to ensure that it has not been substituted with synthetic urine.
However, it’s worth noting that some manufacturers of synthetic urine claim that their products are undetectable, and may include ingredients designed to mimic the composition of real urine. In these cases, it may be more difficult for labs to detect the use of synthetic urine. Ultimately, the accuracy of a drug test depends on the quality of the testing equipment and the skill of the technicians performing the analysis.