What is the reference range for Urinary Cadmium?

The standard reference range for Urinary Cadmium is Non-smokers typically <1–2 µg/g creatinine; smokers may exceed 2 µg/g creatinine.. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Which tests measure Urinary Cadmium?

Urinary Cadmium is measured in 2 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile - Timed, Dried Urine ICPMS Toxic and Essential Elements.

Biomarker Reference · Cd

What does the Urinary Cadmium test measure?

Q: What is Urinary Cadmium?

Cadmium is absorbed from tobacco smoke and contaminated food (rice, leafy greens grown in polluted soil) and accumulates in the kidneys, where it has a half-life measured in decades. Urinary cadmium reflects cumulative body burden rather than recent exposure, because renal tubular cells damaged by cadmium leak it into urine.

Q: Why is Urinary Cadmium measured?

Elevated urinary cadmium indicates significant body burden and is a marker of chronic exposure, most commonly from smoking. It is associated with renal tubular dysfunction, bone demineralisation, and increased cardiovascular risk at higher levels. Practitioners order it to assess exposure history in smokers and to investigate possible toxic nephropathy.

Q: Which tests measure Urinary Cadmium?

Urinary Cadmium is measured in 2 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile - Timed, Dried Urine ICPMS Toxic and Essential Elements.

Urinary Cadmium (Cd) is a clinical biomarker used in heavy-metals-toxicology assessment. Cadmium is absorbed from tobacco smoke and contaminated food (rice, leafy greens grown in polluted soil) and accumulates in the kidneys, where it has a half-life measured in decades. It is measured in 2 laboratory tests on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Non-smokers typically <1–2 µg/g creatinine; smokers may exceed 2 µg/g creatinine.
Units: µg/g creatinine, µmol/mol creatinine, μg/g creatinine
Measured In: 2 tests
Category: Heavy Metals

Functional medicine optimalFunctional targets often <0.5 µg/g creatinine in non-smokers, though evidence for subclinical thresholds is evolving.

What is Urinary Cadmium?

Cadmium is absorbed from tobacco smoke and contaminated food (rice, leafy greens grown in polluted soil) and accumulates in the kidneys, where it has a half-life measured in decades. Urinary cadmium reflects cumulative body burden rather than recent exposure, because renal tubular cells damaged by cadmium leak it into urine.

Why is Urinary Cadmium measured?

Elevated urinary cadmium indicates significant body burden and is a marker of chronic exposure, most commonly from smoking. It is associated with renal tubular dysfunction, bone demineralisation, and increased cardiovascular risk at higher levels. Practitioners order it to assess exposure history in smokers and to investigate possible toxic nephropathy.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Non-smokers typically <1–2 µg/g creatinine; smokers may exceed 2 µg/g creatinine.
Functional medicine optimal: Functional targets often <0.5 µg/g creatinine in non-smokers, though evidence for subclinical thresholds is evolving.
Units: µg/g creatinine, µmol/mol creatinine, μg/g creatinine

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure Urinary Cadmium

2 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-HMT-014Comprehensive

Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile - Timed

Urinary Cadmium reference range in this test: Non-smokers typically <1–2 µg/g creatinine; smokers may exceed 2 µg/g creatinine.

BML-HMT-015Comprehensive

Dried Urine ICPMS Toxic and Essential Elements

Urinary Cadmium reference range in this test: Laboratory-specific; typically <1 μg/g creatinine for non-smokers.

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

Urinary AluminiumAl2 tests Urinary ArsenicAs2 tests Urinary MercuryHg2 tests Urinary LeadPb2 tests Urinary SeleniumSe2 tests Urinary IodineI1 test Urinary CobaltCo1 test Urine CreatinineCr3 tests

Order tests measuring Urinary Cadmium for your patients

Available exclusively to verified licensed healthcare practitioners. CLIA-certified laboratory results delivered to your secure portal.