Iodine urine test

Determination of the iodine content in urine for the diagnosis of iodine deficiency

Iodide - what exactly is it?

Iodine, a trace element, is only found in nature in bound form as iodide, for example in seawater, in certain mineral springs and enriched in sea fish, seafood, algae, sponges and corals. Germany is one of the areas of Europe with a low iodine content. It is only found in very small quantities in our soils, farmland and pastures as well as in our drinking water, which is why it was previously declared an iodine-deficient area. The goitre clearly visible in many people of this era was a sign of this deficiency.

The relevance for our body

If the body is not provided with enough iodine, it is unable to produce the necessary amount of thyroid hormones. This stimulates the thyroid tissue to increase its growth activity, which leads to a significant enlargement of the thyroid gland - with or without nodules. This phenomenon is also known as goitre. Younger people can reverse this change. In older people, on the other hand, iodine treatment usually only results in the growth of thyroid tissue being curbed.

It is therefore necessary to regularly consume iodides in the diet and for the body to convert them into elemental iodine. Iodides passively enter the bloodstream via the gastrointestinal tract and actively enter the thyroid gland. Up to 80 % of the iodine consumed daily is utilised in the thyroid gland.

Important at every age

Iodine is indispensable and necessary for survival at any time in life. An optimal iodine supply during pregnancy is crucial, as both the mother's thyroid gland and that of the growing child must be adequately supplied with iodine. If the child's iodine intake is insufficient, this poses a risk to the development of the nervous system and brain.

Pathological changes or disorders of the thyroid gland can occur at any age as a result of iodine deficiency. One in three Germans up to the age of 45 is affected, after that it is one in two. Women and men are affected about equally often. As the symptoms appear gradually at first and are barely noticed, they are often only recognised late. If the symptoms become more pronounced, a pronounced hypothyroidism is usually already present. To prevent a deficiency, it is important to regularly consume iodine-rich foods such as sea fish and seafood. Iodised table salt can also be a useful supplement.

Diagnosis

A simple urine test can provide reliable information about the iodide content in the urine. The results serve as a basis for individualised therapy, which should only be carried out after consultation with a doctor or therapist.

The test set includes

• 1 instruction for sample collection
• 1 urine beaker
• 1 yellow urine tube (urine monovette)
• 1 yellow tip
• 1 shipping container for urine monovette
• 1 envelope

How does the ordering process work?

Once you have placed your order, you will be sent the desired test pack with detailed instructions. You put your sample in a sample container, send it in a prepared envelope to Medivere's partner laboratory GANZIMMUN Diagnostics GmbH and receive a report with the evaluation of your profile after 5-7 days.

Only for Germany and Austria

We would like to point out that these tests and the shipping procedures are optimised and pre-paid for Germany and Austria. Orders from further afield are problematic because the perishable biological samples may only be in transit for a limited time (maximum 4 days). Customers from Switzerland or other EU countries can of course try it at their own risk, but if the test fails, we decline any responsibility or reimbursement. You can find more information on this from the manufacturer!