The use of urinary deuterium oxide concentrations in a simple method for measuring total body water.

Abstract

Abstract 1.1. An accurate method for the recovery of urinary D 2 O is presented. 2.2. The total body waters of thirteen normal male subjects obtained from simultaneous blood serum and urinary D 2 O determinations are identical. 3.3. There is no difference in the values obtained from urine samples (obtained between three and five hours). 4.4. The D 2 O lost in the urine during the period of equilibration is negligible. 5.5. Equilibration times of D 2 O among the various body fluids in edematous subjects are long, and in such individuals the measurement of total body water required many hours with minimum fluid intake, and many samples for analysis.