ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Zinc, Urine : 0020462

Mnemonic: ZINC U

Methodology: Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Mon-Sat
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician). High concentrations of iodine may interfere with elemental testing. Abstinence from iodine-containing medications or contrast agents for at least 1 month prior to collecting specimens for elemental testing is recommended.

Collect: 24-hour or random urine collection. Specimen must be collected in a plastic container. ARUP studies indicate that refrigeration of urine alone, during and after collection, preserves specimens adequately, if tested within 14 days of collection.

Specimen Preparation: Transfer an 8 mL aliquot from a well-mixed collection to ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tubes (ARUP supply #43116). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 1 mL) Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and on test request form.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated. Also acceptable: Room temperature or frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions: Urine collected within 48 hours after administration of a gadolinium (Gd) containing contrast media (may occur with MRI studies). Acid preserved urine.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year
Reference Interval:

 
Test Number Components Reference Interval
 Zinc, Urine15-120 µg/dL
 Zinc, Urine (24-hour)150-1200 µg/d
 Zinc per gram of creatinineNo reference interval (µg/g crt)
 Creatinine, Urine - per 24h  
 
Age Male Female
3-8 years 140-700 mg/d 140-700 mg/d
9-12 years 300-1300 mg/d 300-1300 mg/d
13-17 years 500-2300 mg/d 400-1600 mg/d
18-50 years 1000-2500 mg/d 700-1600 mg/d
51-80 years 800-2100 mg/d 500-1400 mg/d
81 years and older 600-2000 mg/d 400-1300 mg/d

Interpretive Data: Zinc is predominantly eliminated in the feces.  Elevated urine zinc may suggest excessive zinc supplementation but should be interpreted with a corresponding serum zinc concentration.
CPT Code(s): 84630
Cross References: Zinc/Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine (Zinc, Urine), Zn (Zinc, Urine), ZNU (Zinc, Urine)