24-Hour Urinary Iron Excretion Rate
This test measures how much iron your body excretes in urine over a full day, which can help assess iron metabolism and identify conditions like hemochromatosis or kidney-related iron issues.
["Helps diagnose or monitor iron-related disorders by tracking daily iron loss through urine."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 2499-2
- Short code
- Iron 24h Ur-mRate
- Synonyms
- Iron 24h Ur-mRate
- 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 Matters
Measuring iron excretion in urine helps doctors check if your body is losing too much iron or retaining too much. This can be important for diagnosing conditions like hemochromatosis (a genetic disorder causing iron overload) or kidney diseases that affect iron metabolism.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll likely be asked to collect all urine for a full 24-hour period. Typically, you’ll start by emptying your bladder at home, then collect every urine sample in a container until you empty again the next morning. Bring all samples to your lab for testing.
How the Test Works
Your urine samples are analyzed to determine the total amount of iron excreted. This is done using a sensitive laboratory method to measure iron concentration in the urine over the full day.
Possible Causes for Testing
Doctors may order this test if you have symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, or liver problems that could suggest iron overload. It’s also used to monitor kidney function or iron metabolism in people with certain genetic conditions or chronic diseases.
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
Iron in urine over 24 hours
Frequently asked questions
What does a high or low urinary iron rate mean?
How often should I get this test?
No special diet is required, but avoid taking iron supplements or certain medications that affect iron levels before testing. Follow your doctor’s instructions for the exact timing.
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