Iodine plays many different roles in optimizing health
and preventing disease. As a result, it is essential
to maintain proper iodine intake and identify any problems
associated with either inadequate or excessive iodine
levels. Deficiency, in particular, has become a global
health problem. Accurate diagnosis may often be
overlooked because the symptoms overlap with those of
other illnesses, possibly masking the problem.
While measurement of urinary iodine levels may provide
useful information on one's iodine nutritional status,
having sufficient levels does not always guarantee that
adequate amounts of thyroid hormones are being
synthesized by the thyroid gland.
The Comprehensive Iodine Thyroid Profile combines the
advanced technology of measuring iodine in dried urine
with that of thyroid hormone measurements in finger-prick
dried blood spots.
This test is designed to evaluate not
only the availability of iodine, but also its capacity to
be utilized for thyroid hormone synthesis. The
capacity of the thyroid gland to utilize iodine for
thyroid hormone synthesis is determined by measuring Iodine
and Creatinine in dried urine, and
thyroglobulin, TSH, total T4, free T4, and TPO antibodies
in finger-prick whole blood dried on filter paper.
Blood spot testing is a minimally invasive form of
hormone and wellness testing. Collection of a blood
spot sample is easy and convenient -- all it takes is a
simple nick of
the finger with a lancet and placement of blood drops onto
a special filter paper to dry.
You then send the samples by regular mail without the need
to keep the sample cold or to label it as a biohazard.
Blood testing can be done at home with convenience and
privacy.
The test takes about two weeks once the sample is received
by the lab. A comprehensive, easy-to-read report of test results is returned to
you via email in PDF format. We recommend that
you do a consultation with our staff doctor to interpret
the results and recommend a treatment plan.
This test is eligible for coverage by Medicare and
other insurance providers.
