Iodine Urine Test

Only for Germany and Austria

• We would like to point out that these tests and the shipping processes are optimized for Germany and Austria and are prepaid.
• Samples must be delivered to the German laboratory within 4 days. This cannot be guaranteed for samples shipped from other countries!
• Orders from countries other than Germany and Austria are therefore at your own risk. In this case, we only accept the payment method "Prepayment (directly to us)", as customers cannot then cancel the purchase, e.g., because the sample arrived at the laboratory unusable through their own fault. Purchases made with any other payment methods that customers could unlawfully reverse will be immediately canceled and refunded.
• You can find more information about this from the manufacturer!

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

Iodide – what exactly is it?

Iodine, a trace element, is found in nature only in bound form as iodide, for example in seawater, in certain mineral springs and concentrated in sea fish, seafood, seaweed, sponges and corals. Germany is one of the regions in Europe with a low iodine content. It occurs only in very small amounts in our soils, arable and pasture land and in our drinking water, which is why it was formerly classed as an area of iodine deficiency. The goitre that was clearly visible in many people of that era was a sign of this deficiency.

The relevance for our body

If the body cannot be supplied with enough iodine, it is unable to produce the amount of thyroid hormones required. This stimulates the thyroid tissue to increased growth activity, leading to a significant enlargement of the thyroid – with or without nodules. This condition is also referred to as goitre (struma). Younger people may be able to reverse this change. In older people, however, iodine treatment usually only serves to curb the growth of the thyroid tissue.

Therefore it is necessary to take in iodides regularly through the diet and for the body to convert them into elemental iodine. Iodides enter the bloodstream passively via the gastrointestinal tract and are actively transported into the thyroid. Up to 80% of the iodine consumed daily is used in the thyroid.

Important at every age

Iodine is indispensable and necessary for survival at every stage of life. An optimal iodine supply during pregnancy is crucial, since both the mother’s thyroid and that of the developing 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 the brain.

At any age, pathological changes or disorders of the thyroid can occur as a result of iodine deficiency. One in three Germans up to the age of 45 is affected; after that it is even one in two. Women and men are affected at approximately the same rate. Because symptoms at first develop insidiously and are barely noticed, they are often only recognised late. If symptoms become more pronounced, there is usually already a marked underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). To prevent a deficiency, it is important to regularly consume iodine-containing foods such as sea fish and seafood. Iodised table salt can also be a sensible supplement.

Diagnosis

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

The test kit includes:

• 1 sample collection instruction
• 1 urine cup
• 1 yellow urine tube (urine Monovette)
• 1 yellow tip
• 1 shipping container for urine Monovette
• 1 shipping envelope

How does the ordering process work?

After you place your order, the requested test kit will be sent to you with detailed instructions. You put your sample into a sample container, send it in the prepared envelope to Medivere's partner laboratory GANZIMMUN Diagnostics GmbH and receive a report with an assessment of your profile after 5–7 days.