Total Iron Mass Concentration in 24-Hour Urine
This test measures how much iron your body excretes in urine over a full day. It helps assess iron loss due to conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding, kidney disease, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
["A 24-hour urine iron test helps identify chronic iron loss that may require further medical evaluation."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 30030-1
- Short code
- Iron 24h Ur-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Iron 24h Ur-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 60
- Ref high
- 170
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83540
- 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
Why This Test Is Done
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or unexplained anemia, especially if other tests (like serum iron levels) don’t provide a clear answer. It’s also used in cases where you may be losing iron through urine, such as with kidney disease or certain medications.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all urine for a full 24-hour period. Start by emptying your bladder completely at the beginning of the day (e.g., 8:00 AM). Collect every bit of urine for the next 24 hours, including any overnight urine, and store it in a clean container. Keep it refrigerated if possible.
During the Test
The collected urine sample is sent to a lab for analysis. No special preparation is needed beyond following the collection instructions precisely.
What the Results Mean
Higher-than-expected results may suggest excessive iron loss, while lower-than-expected results could indicate normal iron retention or other conditions affecting urine iron excretion. Your doctor will interpret the results in the context of your overall health and symptoms.
Reference range
NCBI: Serum Iron Male 65-180; Female 50-170 µg/dLN/A
Fasting for 12 hours preferred. Iron supplements should be stopped 24 hours before if possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
24-Hour Urine Iron
Frequently asked questions
This test is particularly useful for diagnosing chronic iron loss that isn’t detected by standard blood tests. For example, it can help confirm conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding (in women), kidney disease, or certain types of gastrointestinal bleeding that cause iron deficiency over time.
A normal result doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not losing iron. It only confirms that your urine contains typical amounts of iron for your body’s needs. Your doctor may still recommend further testing or monitoring if you have symptoms of iron deficiency.
The frequency depends on your medical condition and symptoms. If you’re being monitored for chronic iron loss (e.g., due to heavy periods or kidney disease), your doctor may recommend periodic retesting to track changes in your iron status.
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy