How to Test Your Iodine Levels (6 Methods Explained + Which is BEST)
There are at least 6 different ways that you can test your iodine levels and we are going to be talking about each one! Testing your iodine can be important for some people but it's not always necessary. In fact, because iodine testing can be so inaccurate, getting information about your iodine level can cause confusion and may lead to worse outcomes.
This is why even though there are many ways to check your iodine, I typically don't recommend iodine testing. Before we talk about that, though, let's talk about some important iodine facts:
1. ALL humans need it (we can’t create it).
2. Iodine is stored predominately in the thyroid gland.
3. Other tissues also need iodine outside of the thyroid (but less).
4. Iodine has the potential to be harmful if taken in excessive doses
5. Standard testing is typically not very accurate.
6. Individual iodine intake varies dramatically so standard advice is difficult to make.
These facts are important because they build the framework for our discussion around iodine and testing for iodine.
With that in mind, let's talk about the 6 different ways that you can check your iodine status:
#1. Urinary iodine level.
Probably the easiest way to check your iodine is in your urine. You can get either a post urinary level, a 24 hour urinary level, or an iodine/creatinine ratio. Testing your iodine in your urine is quick and easy for the patient but not always accurate. Of these listed, the iodine/creatinine ratio is probably the most accurate.
#2. Serum iodine.
You can also check your iodine in your blood or serum. This is really only accurate for checking if you've recently taken too much iodine.
#3. Serum thyroglobulin.
You can also check your iodine level indirectly using the serum thyroglobulin test. The big problem with this test is that it can only be used on someone who doesn't have a thyroid problem.
#4. Iodine patch test.
I do not recommend using the iodine patch test as it is very inaccurate due to inconsistencies with evaporation.
#5. Iodine loading test.
The iodine loading should also be avoided because it requires the ingestion of a huge amount of iodine prior to the test. If you are worried about iodine then taking a massive dose is probably not a good idea!
#6. Hair iodine level.
Lastly, you can check your iodine level in your hair. This doesn't always correlate well with the iodine content inside of your thyroid gland so it's not the ideal test.
Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto's: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo
This is why even though there are many ways to check your iodine, I typically don't recommend iodine testing. Before we talk about that, though, let's talk about some important iodine facts:
1. ALL humans need it (we can’t create it).
2. Iodine is stored predominately in the thyroid gland.
3. Other tissues also need iodine outside of the thyroid (but less).
4. Iodine has the potential to be harmful if taken in excessive doses
5. Standard testing is typically not very accurate.
6. Individual iodine intake varies dramatically so standard advice is difficult to make.
These facts are important because they build the framework for our discussion around iodine and testing for iodine.
With that in mind, let's talk about the 6 different ways that you can check your iodine status:
#1. Urinary iodine level.
Probably the easiest way to check your iodine is in your urine. You can get either a post urinary level, a 24 hour urinary level, or an iodine/creatinine ratio. Testing your iodine in your urine is quick and easy for the patient but not always accurate. Of these listed, the iodine/creatinine ratio is probably the most accurate.
#2. Serum iodine.
You can also check your iodine in your blood or serum. This is really only accurate for checking if you've recently taken too much iodine.
#3. Serum thyroglobulin.
You can also check your iodine level indirectly using the serum thyroglobulin test. The big problem with this test is that it can only be used on someone who doesn't have a thyroid problem.
#4. Iodine patch test.
I do not recommend using the iodine patch test as it is very inaccurate due to inconsistencies with evaporation.
#5. Iodine loading test.
The iodine loading should also be avoided because it requires the ingestion of a huge amount of iodine prior to the test. If you are worried about iodine then taking a massive dose is probably not a good idea!
#6. Hair iodine level.
Lastly, you can check your iodine level in your hair. This doesn't always correlate well with the iodine content inside of your thyroid gland so it's not the ideal test.
Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto's: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo
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