• Thyroid function concerns: Known or suspected thyroid issues, including hyper- or hypothyroidism.
• Energy and stamina: Low energy levels, particularly in the evening.
• Temperature sensitivity: Feeling cold when others do not.
• Skin, hair and nail changes: Dry or thinning hair, brittle nails, itchy or dry skin, or hair loss.
• Weight regulation: Weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise.
• Mood and cognition: Depression, memory lapses or slow or fuzzy thinking.
• Reproductive health: Infertility, menstrual irregularities or pregnancy planning.
• Hormonal balance: Suspected hormone imbalances or low libido.
• Fluid balance: Water retention or swelling.
• Digestive patterns: Irregular bowel habits.

The Iodine Profile is a urine-based test that measures iodine excretion using a dried urine sample collected on specialised filter paper. As more than 90 percent of iodine intake is excreted in urine, urinary iodine provides a practical marker for assessing iodine status without requiring a full 24-hour urine collection.

This test may be clinically useful when practitioners want to evaluate iodine intake in relation to thyroid health and hormonal balance. Measuring iodine excretion can help place symptoms such as fatigue, temperature sensitivity or changes in hair and skin into nutritional context, particularly where iodine intake or exposure is uncertain.

Practitioners typically interpret results alongside dietary intake, supplement use, thyroid-related blood tests and clinical history. Findings are reviewed in context when discussing iodine status with clients.

Practical

Specimen requirements:

Dried urine

Average processing time:

10 ±3 days

Research

• Als C, Minder C, Willems D, et.al. Quantification of urinary iodine: a need for revised thresholds. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:1181-8.

• Haddow JE, McClain MR, Palomaki GE, Hollowell JG. Urine iodine measurements, creatinine adjustment, and thyroid deficiency in an adult United States population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007;92:1019-22.