The iodine 24hr urine test may be used to evaluate iodine deficiency disorders or monitor exposure to iodine and it may also be used to help diagnose iodine-induced hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Price: $159

FAQs

No. This is a cash discount and includes a consultation with Dr Hagmeyer.

This Is a Urine test and can be done from the comfort of your home.

Web results are posted within 7-14 business days. Our office will notify you when test results have been reported.

You will be emailed a confirmation from the lab. Within 3-5 business days, you will receive a test kit that you will take to the lab with you. 

Yes. Dr Hagmeyer will review the test result with you. Each test comes with a post-test review/explanation.

One we have placed the order for the test we are unable to issue a refund.

Here are some symptoms that might prompt someone to consider this type of testing:

1. Unexplained Fatigue:
Persistent fatigue or low energy levels may indicate metabolic imbalances or nutrient deficiencies.

2. Frequent Urination:
Increased frequency of urination, especially if accompanied by changes in urine color or odor, may warrant testing to assess kidney function and hydration status.

3. Urinary Tract Symptoms:
Symptoms such as burning during urination, urgency, or pain in the lower abdomen could indicate a urinary tract infection or other issues requiring investigation.

4. Kidney or Bladder Issues:
Individuals with a history of kidney stones, bladder infections, or other urinary tract problems might seek testing to monitor kidney function and metabolic health.

5. Changes in Weight:
Unexplained weight gain or loss may prompt testing to investigate metabolic processes and nutrient absorption.

6. Digestive Issues:
Symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation could be linked to nutrient malabsorption or metabolic disturbances. Testing for microbial overgrowth is sometimes done through a MOAT Urine test.

7. Nutritional Concerns:
Individuals with dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, vegan) or those who suspect nutrient deficiencies may want to assess their metabolic status through urine testing. In some cases an Organic Acid test test is performed.

8. Hormonal Imbalances:
Symptoms of hormonal issues, such as irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, or weight changes, may lead to testing to evaluate hormone metabolites. DUTCH testing, 24 hour urine Hormone testing are examples of testing done through urine that provide insight into hormonal imbalances.

9. Skin Issues:
Conditions like acne, eczema, or other skin problems may be linked to metabolic or nutritional imbalances, prompting a urine test.

10. Mood Disorders:
Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues may be associated with metabolic health and nutrient status. Testing of Neurotransmitters is often done through urine.

11. Chronic Inflammation or Pain:
Ongoing inflammation, pain, or autoimmune symptoms might lead to testing to investigate underlying metabolic factors.

12. Post-Surgery or Illness Recovery:
Individuals recovering from surgery or significant illness might undergo urine testing to assess metabolic recovery and overall health status.

If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should consult with a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (doctor). The doctor can evaluate the appropriateness of a functional urine test and interpret its results in the context of the person’s overall health and medical history.

Order Your Personalized 24 hour Urinary IodineTest Profile which includes:

  • Comprehensive 24 hour Urinary Iodine 
  • One on one consult with Dr. Hagmeyer to discuss Test Results 

The 24 hour urine Iodine test is the most accurate way to assess iodine levels in the body for people who have thyroid disease. Too much iodine can cause thyroid disease and hashimotos autoimmune thyroid disease, and not enough Iodine can also lead to poor thyroid function and hypothyroidism. How do you know if you are getting too much or not enough? Testing! thankfully there is a way to test your urinary iodine levels. Blood tests are not accurate when it comes to detecting Iodine status. 

More than 90% of iodine consumed is excreted in the urine, making urine iodine a good indicator of recent iodine intake. Collection of urine over 24 hours (μg/day) to quantify urine iodine excretion (UIE) is often considered the “reference” standard for describing population iodine intake, and is often used for validating other methods ().

Iodine nutritional status is most closely estimated by the amount of iodine excreted in the urine in 24-h.

Why I use the 24 hour Urine Iodine test over the the Urinary/Iodine creatine ratio

Some practitioners believe that the most useful test for detecting iodine sufficiency is the the urinary iodine to creatinine ratio. But this test can be skewed somewhat variable between individuals, depending on their

  1. Muscle mass and hence will lower daily urinary creatinine excretion, contributing an independent source of variation, which may invalidate the ratio [,,].
  2. Nutritional status
  3. Advancing age
  4. Activity Levels. Sedentary lifestyle is associated with progressively lower daily creatinine excretion as lean body mass declines []. A low daily creatinine excretion usually suggests an incompletely collected specimen.
  5. Gender
  6. Dehydration
  7. Urinary creatinine is somewhat unstable. If not stored properly and analyzed within 24-48 hours it may decompose leading to inaccurate iodine levels.
  8. Circadian rhythms
  9. Kidney Function- based on GFR
  10. Pregnancy-A higher GFR during pregnancy results in decreased circulating creatinine and a possible trend toward lower urinary creatinine concentrations but not in daily creatinine excretion

While having to collect your urine for a period of 24 hours can be more cumbersome, I believe when done correctly, it provides the most accurate assessment for nutritional iodine status. For these reasons I do-not recommend the urinary iodine/Creatine Test to take the place of the 24 hour urinary iodine test.

24 hour Urine Iodine test

A 24-hour urine iodine test measures the total amount of iodine excreted in urine over 24 hours. To perform this test, you must avoid iodine-rich foods and supplements for 48 hours prior, start collecting urine after discarding your first morning void, and collect all urine for the next 24 hours in a provided container. 

Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.

Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism.

A 24 hour Urine iodine test is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but instead is used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.

Iodine deficiency (ID) is associated with increased prevalence of goiter, increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, and is the world’s leading cause of intellectual deficits.

The best way to identify Iodine nutritional status is a 24 hour urinary iodine test.

I use this test to identify Iodine deficiency, and monitor iodine deficiency is many of my thyroid patients Hashimotos Patients. I do want to repeat that this is not an Iodine Loading test. 

Urinary Iodine Concentration in 24-Hour Urine of Pregnant Women and Its Association with Food and Salt Intake

The concentration of iodine in the urine is the most commonly used biochemical marker for the evaluation of iodine intake and its consequent sufficiency or deficiency. The gold standard for estimating the reliable urinary excretion of iodine is 24-hour urine, stored in a plastic container, and in a refrigerator. The method used for the measurement of iodine in the urine was induction coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with volume expressed in ml and result in μg/24h. Values of urinary iodine were considered as described in Table-1, and in gestation, 150μg/L

Iodine is an essential micronutrient and an integral component of thyroid hormones. Iodine is obtained only through the diet and is mainly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract as the inorganic anion, iodide. The status of iodine nutrition of a population is determined by measurements of iodine as urinary iodide (UI) concentration since it is considered an indicator of the adequacy of the iodine intake of that population. In general, it is assumed that most ingested iodine, such as sodium or potassium iodide, is excreted in the urine, and that equilibrium is established between dietary iodine intake and UI excretion.

Blood Iodine almost entirely resides on the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), so blood iodine measures thyroid function more than iodine status. Extreme iodine deficiency will eventually cause hypothyroidism, but this is not usually the clinical question, which would be answered by thyroid hormone testing anyway.
 
Urine iodine testing has been used in epidemiological studies also because it is convenient and non-invasive but the transference of these findings to individual patient care has a major hurdle. The concentration of most analytes in urine, including iodine, depend on the amount of water also excreted into urine, therefore if a patient is dehydrated they appear high, if they drink water before the test, they may appear low. The usual way of correcting for the water content of urine is to correct the concentration of the analyte in question by comparing to the urine creatinine level .(Creatinine is a waste product from muscle that is produced constantly by the body.)
 
While iodine/creatinine ratios may be more useful when assessing individuals there are two problems (i) there is little agreement on what the thresholds are for defining deficiency and (ii) creatinine levels are higher in men than women, which means that men have lower iodine/creatinine ratios than women.
Iodine Regulation: A Way to Improve Thyroid Disease – Naturopathic Doctor News and Review
 
These issues undermine the clinical usefulness of urine iodine measurements and in pregnant women, where increased water handling by the kidney often lead to low daytime creatinine levels, low urine iodine levels in pregnant women may reflect fluid status far more than iodine status.
 

****Please note that the test I recommend starting with is the 24 hour urinary collection. This is NOT the same as creatine/urinary iodine and it is not an iodine loading test. 

**Before taking the 24 hour urinary iodine test, discuss any history of thyroid surgery and/or radiation, Hashimoto disease, and any previous problems with your thyroid with Dr Hagmeyer or you health care provider/