Iodine Test
This test checks for abnormal levels of iodine in your urine. Low levels may indicate an iodine deficiency and are more common than high levels. Consider iodine testing if you are concerned about a potential iodine deficiency or excess in your diet. Read moreThis iodine test measures the level of iodine in your urine. Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for making thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine, or T3 and thyroxine, or T4). These hormones drive many bodily functions, such as regulating metabolism, growth, and development, and turning food into energy. Our bodies don't produce iodine so we must get it from food, iodized salt, or supplements. High levels of iodine may indicate excess use of dietary supplements or overconsumption of certain foods, which can result in thyroid dysfunction.
Buy your own iodine lab test online with Quest. No doctor’s visit is required – simply purchase a urine iodine test, visit a nearby Quest location for sample collection, and get fast results.
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Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for making thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). These hormones drive many bodily functions, such as regulating metabolism, growth, and development, and turning food into energy. The thyroid can't produce the proper level of hormones without enough iodine.
Our bodies don't produce iodine so we must get it from food, iodized salt, or supplements. Iodine is naturally found in animal proteins, fish (cod, tuna, etc.), shellfish (e.g., shrimp), dairy products, seaweed (dulse, kelp, nori), eggs, and iodized table salt.
The best way to get essential vitamins and minerals is from eating food because they are in their natural form. However, if your body cannot absorb certain nutrients properly, or you are not able to get enough of them through your diet, then you may consider taking a supplement for that nutrient.
While it is unlikely to get too much of a micronutrient if you are taking a supplement, getting too much, known as vitamin toxicity, is possible. It's recommended to confirm a deficiency through testing and talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking supplements.
Iodine is a trace mineral that is technically not a metal, but it exhibits metallic qualities. It is scientifically classified as a halogen, which means “salt-producing.”1
Signs and symptoms of different mineral or heavy metal poisoning can mimic each other, so they are often tested together, such as lead and copper. If you are interested in having these other heavy metals tested, the Lead Test and the Copper Test are available.
- Facts About Iodine. Accessed September 9,2024. https://www.livescience.com/37441-iodine.html
- Southern AP, Anastasopoulou C, Jwayyed S. Iodine Toxicity. [Updated 2024 May 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560770/
- Healthline. What You Should Know About Iodine Deficiency. Accessed September 9, 2024. Iodine Deficiency: Symptoms, Related Conditions, and Treatment (healthline.com)