Methods for determination of iodine in urine and salt

Good quality data on iodine concentrations in urine and salt samples are indispensable for the efficient management of national salt iodisation programmes and for evaluating iodine interventions. Most of the analytical methods for urinary iodine concentration are based on the manual spectrophotometric measurement of Sandell-Kolthoff reduction reaction catalysed by iodine using different oxidising reagents in the initial digestion step. Other analytical methods include semi-quantitative methods, a microplate method, automated methods; and the technologically advanced methods include the inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometer method. Iodine in salt is determined quantitatively by the titration method, colorimetrically by the WYD iodine checker or by a technologically advanced potentiometric method. Worldwide, titration is the method of choice because of its accuracy, ease of operation and low cost. Rapid test kits are suitable for qualitative use in situations where iodised salt need to be distinguished from non-iodised salt, preferably with titration back-up.