Question 1

What is Iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Iodine deficiency is a nutritional condition that occurs when the body does not get enough iodine, an essential mineral needed for thyroid hormone production. It is caused by insufficient dietary intake of iodine from foods like iodized salt, seafood, and dairy products. The Thyroglobulin LC/MS/MS test is the most important test for assessing the impact of iodine deficiency on thyroid function.

Question 2

What causes iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Iodine deficiency is caused by insufficient dietary intake of iodine, an essential mineral that the body cannot produce on its own. The primary dietary sources of iodine include iodized salt, seafood, seaweed, dairy products, and eggs. People who avoid these foods, live in regions with iodine-poor soil, follow strict vegan diets without iodized salt, or have increased iodine needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding are at higher risk of developing deficiency.

Question 3

What is the best test for iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

The Thyroglobulin LC/MS/MS test is the most important blood test for assessing iodine deficiency because it measures thyroglobulin levels, a protein that requires iodine for production in the thyroid gland. When iodine levels are inadequate, thyroglobulin production decreases, making this test valuable for evaluating how iodine deficiency affects thyroid function. This advanced test uses LC/MS/MS technology for precise measurement and helps healthcare providers monitor the impact of low iodine on thyroid protein synthesis. While urine iodine tests directly measure iodine excretion, the thyroglobulin blood test provides insight into the functional consequences of deficiency on your thyroid health.

Question 4

When should I get tested for iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience symptoms of thyroid dysfunction such as fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin, hair loss, or notice swelling in your neck (goiter). Pregnant women, people who avoid iodized salt and seafood, those following strict vegan diets, and individuals living in regions with iodine-depleted soil should consider testing. Testing is also important if you have unexplained difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness, or irregular menstrual periods, as these can indicate thyroid problems related to iodine deficiency.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of iodine deficiency include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, feeling cold even in warm temperatures, dry and flaky skin, thinning hair or hair loss, and difficulty concentrating or brain fog. You might also notice a visible swelling at the base of your neck called a goiter, which occurs when the thyroid gland enlarges trying to capture more iodine. Other signs include muscle weakness, joint stiffness, heavy or irregular menstrual periods in women, and in severe cases during pregnancy, it can affect fetal brain development leading to cognitive impairments.

Question 6

Who is at risk for iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

People at highest risk for iodine deficiency include pregnant and breastfeeding women who have increased iodine needs, individuals following vegan or vegetarian diets without iodized salt, and those who avoid seafood and dairy products. Geographic location matters too, as people living in mountainous regions or areas with iodine-poor soil face higher risk. Those who use non-iodized sea salt or Himalayan pink salt instead of iodized table salt, individuals with certain digestive conditions affecting mineral absorption, and people taking medications that interfere with iodine uptake are also more susceptible to deficiency.

Question 7

What happens if iodine deficiency is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated iodine deficiency leads to hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid cannot produce enough hormones to regulate metabolism, causing persistent fatigue, significant weight gain, depression, and cognitive decline. The thyroid gland enlarges to form a goiter, which can become large enough to cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. In pregnant women, severe iodine deficiency causes cretinism in babies, characterized by intellectual disabilities, stunted growth, and developmental delays. Long-term deficiency also increases the risk of thyroid nodules and may contribute to infertility and irregular menstrual cycles in women.

Question 8

Can iodine deficiency be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

While there is no single blood test that directly measures iodine levels in the body, blood tests are essential for diagnosing the effects of iodine deficiency on thyroid function. The Thyroglobulin LC/MS/MS blood test measures thyroglobulin levels, which decrease when iodine is insufficient for thyroid protein production. Additional thyroid function blood tests like TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 can reveal hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency. The most direct way to measure iodine status is through a 24-hour urine collection test, but blood tests provide valuable information about how deficiency affects your thyroid health and hormone production.

Question 9

How is iodine deficiency treated?

Accepted Answer

Iodine deficiency is treated by increasing dietary iodine intake through iodized salt, which is the simplest and most cost-effective method for most people. Your healthcare provider may recommend iodine supplements, typically containing 150 micrograms of iodine daily for adults, with higher amounts for pregnant women (220 mcg) and breastfeeding mothers (290 mcg). Incorporating iodine-rich foods like seafood (cod, tuna, shrimp), seaweed, dairy products, and eggs into your diet helps restore adequate levels. Treatment is monitored through blood tests to ensure thyroid function normalizes, and supplementation is adjusted based on your individual needs and response to treatment.

Question 10

How can I prevent iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Prevent iodine deficiency by using iodized table salt in your cooking and at the table rather than non-iodized varieties like sea salt or Himalayan salt. Include iodine-rich foods in your diet regularly, such as fish and seafood two to three times per week, dairy products like milk and yogurt, and eggs. If you follow a vegan diet, consider seaweed snacks or kelp supplements, but be cautious not to exceed recommended amounts as excessive iodine can also cause thyroid problems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should discuss prenatal vitamins containing adequate iodine with their healthcare provider to ensure sufficient intake for themselves and their baby.

Question 11

What natural remedies help with iodine deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Natural remedies for iodine deficiency focus on incorporating iodine-rich whole foods into your daily diet. Sea vegetables like nori, wakame, and kelp are among the richest natural sources of iodine, though amounts vary widely. Wild-caught fish including cod, tuna, and salmon provide substantial iodine along with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Organic dairy products and eggs from pasture-raised chickens offer moderate iodine amounts. Cranberries, navy beans, and potatoes with skin contain small amounts of iodine and can contribute to overall intake. However, dietary changes alone may not be sufficient for severe deficiency, and you should work with a healthcare provider to determine if supplementation is necessary.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
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            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
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            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
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            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Iodine Deficiency Blood Test

What is Iodine deficiency?

What causes iodine deficiency?

What is the best test for iodine deficiency?

When should I get tested for iodine deficiency?

References

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