At a glance
Iodine deficiency disorders are thought to affect more than 1 billion people worldwide. Accurate laboratory tests can detect iodine deficiency. Urinary iodine (UI) analysis is the most common method used, worldwide, for assessing the iodine status of a population.
Overview
Ensuring the Quality of Iodine Procedures (EQUIP) is a standardization program that addresses laboratory quality-assurance issues related to testing for iodine deficiency. CDC's EQUIP program currently assists more than 260 iodine laboratories in more than 90 countries. CDC provides quality-control materials, analytical guidelines, and technical training and consultation so that laboratories can accurately measure iodine levels in their national surveys. Three times a year, CDC sends participating laboratories EQUIP samples for analysis.