Cadmium in Urine, Mass Concentration
This test measures the amount of cadmium, a heavy metal, present in your urine over a 24-hour period. Cadmium exposure can come from environmental sources like industrial pollutants or certain foods.
["Cadmium in urine helps detect long-term exposure to this harmful metal."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 5611-9
- Short code
- UCD
- Synonyms
- Cadmium Ur-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Acid-washed trace element-free plastic urine container (polypropylene or polyethylene); metal-free transport tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 1
- Critical range
- — – 50 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) or Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
- CPT
- 82300
- SNOMED
- 39514001
- Specimen volume
- 10-50 mL of random or 24-hour urine specimen
- Stability
- Stable for 7 days at 2-8°C; for longer storage, freeze at -20°C or below. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms like kidney problems, nausea, or unexplained fatigue. It’s also used in occupational health settings to monitor workers exposed to cadmium in their jobs, such as those in mining or manufacturing industries.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll collect all your urine over a full 24-hour period, typically starting after you wake up and ending just before you go to bed the next day. Store the urine in a clean container and keep it refrigerated until you deliver it to the lab.
What to Expect During the Test
No special preparation is needed beyond collecting your urine sample as directed. The lab will analyze the sample for cadmium levels using a sensitive method like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
What the Results Mean
High levels of cadmium in urine may indicate recent or chronic exposure to this metal. Your healthcare provider will interpret the results in the context of your medical history, symptoms, and other tests.
Reference range
Non-exposed adults: <1.0 µg/g creatinine; OSHA biological exposure limit for occupational exposure: <5.0 µg/g creatinine. Reference values may vary by laboratory.N/A
No fasting required. Patients should avoid consumption of cadmium-containing foods (shellfish, organ meats, leafy vegetables from contaminated areas) for 24-48 hours prior to collection if possible. Avoid smoking prior to specimen collection. Inform the laboratory of any occupational exposure history.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Urine Cadmium
Frequently asked questions
What causes elevated cadmium levels?
How long does it take to get results?
Can I lower cadmium levels naturally?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy