Your iodine loading collection
This test looks at how much of a measured iodine dose your body holds on to. You'll give a urine sample before the dose and collect all your urine for 24 hours after it — the difference shows your iodine status.
A simple test you do at home
Your kit is posted directly to you — no collection centre visit needed. You'll take two urine samples around a single iodine tablet, freeze them, then mail them back.
How the loading test works
Give a first-morning "PRE" urine sample, swallow the 50 mg iodine tablet, then collect all your urine for the next 24 hours (the "POST" sample). Comparing the two shows how much of the iodine your body held on to.
Before you collect
- No seafood for 4 days before the test — it can affect your result.
- Stop iodine supplements 2 days before testing, unless your practitioner advises otherwise.
- Don't collect while menstruating — it can contaminate the sample. Wait until your period has finished.
Collecting your samples
Work through these in order on the day you start. Labelling PRE and POST correctly is essential — the lab compares the two.
PRE — first-morning sample
- Collect your first-morning urine into the 50 ml yellow container.
- Fill the first monovette with about 10 ml from the container (see “Filling a monovette” below), then discard the rest.
- Label it “PRE-SPOT URINE” with your name, date of birth and date, then place it in the transport bag in the freezer.
Now take the iodine tablet
Within 30 minutes of your PRE sample, swallow the 50 mg iodine tablet with a glass of water. Write down the time — this starts your 24-hour collection.
POST — 24-hour collection
- For the next 24 hours, collect all of your urine into the collapsible bag (you can use the cup provided, then pour it in).
- The next morning, include your first-morning urine, up to the same time you started. That completes the 24 hours.
- Hold the bag by its corners, read the total volume from the scale, and write it on your request form. Then shake the bag well.
- Fill the second monovette with about 10 ml from the bag. Label it “POST-24 HOUR” with your name, date of birth, date and the total volume (e.g. 2000 ml).
- Freeze both monovettes together in the transport bag, then discard the leftover urine.
Filling a monovette
- Lift off the yellow stopper (keep it) — don't unscrew the yellow nozzle — and attach the yellow aspiration tip.
- Draw urine up to the base line (the thicker green line).
- Hold it upright and draw the piston rod down until it locks into the base.
- Remove the tip, replace the stopper, then snap off the piston rod and discard it.
Keep both samples frozen
Store both monovettes in the freezer until you're ready to pack and post. Leave them frozen for at least 2 hours before sending.
Freezing & sending
- Check both monovettes are labelled — PRE-SPOT and POST-24 HOUR — and that your request form shows the total 24-hour volume and your details. Complete your Patient Checklist Form too.
- After at least 2 hours in the freezer, place the request form into the open pocket of the specimen transport bag.
- Place everything into the reply-paid padded envelope and post it back the same day via your nearest Australia Post outlet or express post box.
Before you post — quick check
- Both monovettes labelled PRE and POST (not mixed up)
- Total 24-hour volume written on the request form & POST label
- Both samples frozen (at least 2 hours)
- Request & Checklist forms complete, posting the same day
What your result includes
Measures: Urine Iodine · Urine Iodine (corrected) · Urine Creatinine · 24-hour Urine Volume · Iodine Loading (% excreted)