Inorganic Arsenic 24-Hour Urine Excretion Rate
This test measures how much inorganic arsenic is excreted in your urine over a 24-hour period, expressed as a rate. It helps assess recent exposure to inorganic arsenic and how well your body is clearing it.
["A 24-hour urine arsenic excretion rate estimates how much inorganic arsenic your body eliminated over a full day."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 50815-0
- Short code
- Inorg Arsenic 24h Ur-sRate
- Synonyms
- Inorg Arsenic 24h Ur-sRate
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, some foods, and certain industrial settings. This test collects all urine produced over 24 hours and measures the amount of inorganic arsenic (and related forms) excreted, reported as a rate over that period.
Why Your Clinician May Order It
The test may be ordered when there is concern about exposure to inorganic arsenic from drinking water, workplace contact, or other sources. It can help confirm exposure, gauge how much is being cleared by the kidneys, and guide follow-up decisions.
How the 24-Hour Collection Works
You will be given a container and instructions to collect every urine sample for a full 24 hours, starting after discarding the first morning void and ending by collecting the first void the next morning. Accurate timing and complete collection are important because missed samples can make results hard to interpret.
Interpreting Results and Caveats
Results are interpreted by your clinician alongside your exposure history, symptoms, and other tests. Dietary and specimen factors can affect arsenic measurements, so interpretation requires clinical context. A single result does not by itself define a diagnosis.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Inorganic arsenic exposure is a recognized health concern, and urine testing can help evaluate recent exposure and excretion. Because different arsenic forms and dietary sources can influence results, findings should be interpreted by a qualified clinician in the context of the exposure history rather than acted on in isolation.
Short name
Arsenic, Inorganic (24h Urine Rate)
Frequently asked questions
Does a high result always mean poisoning?
Why must I collect urine for a full 24 hours?
Should I change my diet before the test?
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