Urinary iodine concentrations for determining iodine status in populations

This document aims to provide users of the Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System with guidance about the use of urinary iodine for assessing the iodine status of populations. It is a compilation of the current World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on the topic and summarizes existing information on the cut-off values, as well as the chronology of their establishment.

The use of these cut-off points permits the identification of populations at greatest risk of iodine deficiency or excess and priority areas for action, especially when resources are limited. They also facilitate the monitoring and assessment of progress towards international goals of preventing and controlling iodine deficiency disorders.