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 occur from environmental sources like contaminated air or water, or from certain foods.
["Urine cadmium testing helps identify potential exposure to harmful metals."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 25360-9
- Short code
- CD-U
- Synonyms
- Cadmium Ur-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Acid-washed trace element-free polyethylene urine container; royal blue-top vacutainer (no additive)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 1
- Critical range
- — – 100 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- CPT
- 82300
- SNOMED
- 707801000
- Specimen volume
- 10-50 mL of random or 24-hour urine collection
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 days; Frozen (-20°C): 1 year. Acidify to pH <2 with concentrated nitric acid for long-term storage.
- 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 of metal poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, or kidney problems, or if you work in an industry with known cadmium exposure (e.g., mining, battery manufacturing). They might also order it as part of a general health check or if you’ve been exposed to environmental toxins.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you’ll need to collect all urine produced in a 24-hour period (typically from one morning to the next morning). Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.
What the Test Results Mean
Higher-than-normal levels of cadmium in urine can indicate recent exposure to this metal. Elevated levels may raise concerns about potential long-term health effects, such as kidney damage or other organ toxicity, though further evaluation would be needed.
Common Causes of Elevated Levels
Elevated urine cadmium levels can result from occupational exposure (e.g., to cigarette smoke, industrial dust, or contaminated water). It may also appear after accidental ingestion of cadmium-containing products or from long-term dietary exposure to foods grown in cadmium-contaminated soil.
Reference range
Non-exposed adult population: <1.0 µg/g creatinine (or <1.0 µg/L for spot urine). Occupational exposure (BEI): <5.0 µg/g creatinine. Values may vary by laboratory and reference population.N/A
No fasting required. Patients should avoid shellfish and seafood consumption for 48 hours prior to collection. Avoid smoking, as tobacco is a major source of cadmium exposure. Use of chelating agents should be noted.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Urine Cadmium
Frequently asked questions
What does a high urine cadmium level suggest?
What does a normal urine cadmium level mean?
Can diet affect urine cadmium levels?
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