Iodine is an essential element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In order to prevent iodine deficiency disorders, the country implemented the national policy of mandatory iodine addition to table salt in 1996. Both iodine deficiency and excess in the human body may induce thyroid related diseases (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, goiter, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer, etc.); If you already have thyroid related diseases, insufficient or excessive iodine intake may worsen the condition.

Eighty to ninety percent of the iodine intake in the human body is excreted through urine. Currently, urinary iodine levels are an important indicator for evaluating iodine intake nutrition in clinical practice. We have summarized the positive data from various physical examination centers, and found that thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer have either the highest or second highest positive detection rates in related categories. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to their health management. In terms of health management, all populations can adjust their dietary habits in a timely manner through urine iodine testing to prevent abnormal iodine intake from triggering thyroid related diseases. Those who already have thyroid related diseases can take urine iodine supplements and adjust their diet in a timely manner to avoid worsening the condition. Some people may ask: Do I still need to do a urine iodine test after taking a nail test? To answer this question, we should first clarify the difference between the two. Thyroid function test is a diagnostic indicator for thyroid related diseases, used to diagnose whether one has thyroid related diseases and evaluate the treatment effect after medication; Urine iodine testing is used to determine whether the intake of iodine nutrients in the human body is reasonable, as iodine deficiency and excess are important causes of thyroid related diseases. Therefore, regulating iodine intake through urine iodine levels can be used to prevent thyroid related diseases; They are in a parallel relationship, not a substitutive relationship. Think about it, we eat salt every day to supplement iodine, so whether our body is supplementing too much or too little requires a quantitative standard.

In 2007, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders proposed that the appropriate standard for iodine nutrition levels in children and the general population is a median urinary iodine level of 100-199 μ g/L; Below 100 micrograms per liter is iodine deficiency, 200-300 micrograms per liter is iodine excess, and above 300 micrograms per liter is iodine excess. Therefore, in order to protect our thyroid gland, it is recommended that the general population undergo one to two urine iodine tests every year to avoid damage to the thyroid gland caused by abnormal iodine intake.

Precautions for collecting samples for urine iodine testing: 1. Collect no less than 5ml of random mid stream urine (preferably morning urine); During the collection and transportation of urine samples on site, contact with iodized substances should be avoided; 2. Record the relevant information of the subject, maintain a normal diet the day before the test, and avoid sudden consumption of iodine rich foods (seaweed, seaweed, etc.). It is not advisable to drink more than 200 milliliters of water before keeping the sample.

Dietary recommendations for people who need iodine supplementation include: sticking to consuming iodized salt and eating high iodine foods once or twice a week; Dietary recommendations for people who need to control iodine include: mixing non iodized salt and iodized salt, and eating less or no high iodine foods; After the formation of dietary habits, a follow-up urine iodine test should be conducted to adjust the intake of iodine containing foods based on the results.