Blog — #Iodine

The thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a monumental role in maintaining your body’s health. Located in the neck and shaped like a butterfly, this endocrine powerhouse regulates everything from metabolism to mood through the hormones it produces. Yet, thyroid hormone imbalances often go unnoticed—despite affecting millions. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, and up to 60% of those affected may not even know it. These disorders are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked, often dismissed as symptoms of stress, ageing, or other common conditions....

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells in the nervous system. A balanced level of these neurotransmitters is essential for overall health. When imbalanced, they can cause neurological or psychological issues, such as anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, or insomnia.

ZRT offers a unique approach to neurotransmitter testing, analyzing 14 key neurotransmitters and metabolites to provide a comprehensive view of your neurochemistry. Unlike other labs, ZRT combines parent neurotransmitter levels with their downstream metabolites, ensuring accurate results and more effective treatment plans. This comprehensive testing, available exclusively through ZRT, helps identify systemic patterns that may be contributing to your health issues.

Neurotransmitter imbalances are often linked to common conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PMS. ZRT’s testing also examines the influence of hormones, heavy metals, and nutritional elements, offering a more complete and precise understanding of your health.

For the most accurate and convenient testing, ZRT's dried urine method allows for discreet, at-home collection—no need for all-day urine collection. The dried strips are easy to mail back, providing a hassle-free way to assess your neurotransmitter levels.

To explore all neurotransmitter tests, click the link below.

Heavy metal exposure can have detrimental effects on a child's development and overall health. However, with the advent of Heavy Metals Testing Kits, parents now have a convenient and accurate method to assess heavy metal levels in their children's bodies. These testing kits utilize dried blood spots and dried urine spots, offering a comprehensive solution to evaluate exposure to a range of toxic heavy metals. In this article, we will explore the benefits of heavy metals testing for children, focusing on the 14 essential elements tested through the Heavy Metals Testing (Comprehensive Toxic and Essential Elements) Profile. Detection of Toxic...

By Tracy Tranchitella, ZRT Laboratory. At the most fundamental level, the beneficial actions of iodine derive from its ability to function as both an antioxidant and an oxidant. These basic qualities also support its effects as an antimicrobial, anti-proliferative and anti-cancer agent. How iodine functions within the human body is determined by its form, the tissue in which it resides and the overall physiological context. Iodine’s role as an antioxidant is determined by its ability to donate electrons and quench free radicals thereby reducing tissue damage and oxidative stress that may lead to chronic disease. As an oxidant, iodine can...

By Tracy Tranchitella The role that iodine plays in the thyroid is well established. We need iodine to make thyroid hormones, and the numeric designation in T3 and T4 represents the number of iodine molecules attached to the amino acid tyrosine. In part one of this series on iodine, I examined the versatility of this unique element and its uses throughout history and explored the sources and forms of iodine found in foods and supplements. In part two of this series, I take a closer look at the role that iodine plays in the thyroid and in various extrathyroidal tissues...