Iodine

What is Iodine?

Iodine is a trace mineral, naturally found in food and added to many other things. This mineral is essential for our good health and wellbeing. It plays a major role in many physiological functions of the body. Thyroid glands need iodine to produce thyroid hormones and help control our growth, repair damaged cells, and keep your metabolism working perfectly. This trace mineral plays a major role in keeping your thyroid healthy and working properly. It helps treating enlarged thyroid glands, otherwise known as goiter. Iodine protects the thyroid gland against any damage.

Earth soils contain different amounts of iodine, leading to crops with different iodine content. In areas where the soil has low iodine concentrations, iodine deficiency risks are higher among populations. This is one of the reasons why many countries developed a public health program to add iodine to table salt. Other sources of iodine include seaweed, seafood, dairy products, grains and eggs. One cup of yogurt, for example, contains 50% of your recommended Iodine intake while three ounces of baked cod fish has 66%.

Iodine is also present in infant formulas and human breast milk. One small spoon of table salt (that is iodized) contains four hundred milligrams of iodine, which is more than what the body needs. It is very easy to obtain the necessary amount of Iodine from food. And, it may be even easier to have an excess, which could lead to hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid gland is overactive.

According to the Food and Nutrition board, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of iodine differs between different ages: men and women above the age of 19, need about 150 mcg of iodine. Pregnant women need 220 mcg while those who are lactating need about 290 mcg per day.

Why take the Iodine test?

An iodine test measures the amount of iodine in our blood. It checks for a deficiency or excess of this mineral in our system. Studies explain that iodine imbalances still remain high among Americans. Those who are at high risk of being iodine deficient need to get this mineral tested. You are at high risk if you are pregnant; live in the country where iodine is little on the soil like south Asia, south east Asia, New Zealand and many European countries; don’t use iodized salt; or follow a vegetarian and vegan diet.

People who experience symptoms of iodine deficiencies need to check their iodine levels. Symptoms include swelling in the neck, unexpected weight gain, hair loss, fatigue and weakness, dry and flaky skin, feeling colder than usual, witnessing changes in the heart rate, having trouble focusing, learning and remembering, and having heavy and irregular periods.

Also, if you are experiencing stomach problems like a burning feeling in your mouth and throat or a metallic taste, you might have excess iodine. Having continuous thirst with little urine output can be assigned of iodine toxicity. This latter may make you feel delirious, coughing, feverish, and experiencing shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms of iodine excess it is strongly recommended that you test your blood iodine levels.

For pregnant women, the risks of becoming iodine deficient are high, which could cause developmental problems in babies. Testing iodine levels is the best way to keep you and your baby safe and healthy.

What can cause the levels of Iodine to rise?

Many conditions can lead to high blood iodine levels like inflamed thyroid glands, or thyroid cancer. Some drugs, including iodine-containing medicines, can cause high levels of Iodine in your blood. These include amiodarone.

What your Iodine test results mean?

The normal blood iodine levels need to be around 10 micrograms per 100cc of blood.

Where can I get a Iodine test near me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Aug 30, 2019