Performing Iodine Skin Test; At Brief

By Olive Pate


Iodine is an important building block that thyroid makes use of to produce the necessary hormones of metabolism. The processes of metabolism cannot take place without enough iodin in the body and the individual will suffer from hypothyroidism. The iodine skin test is one way of testing for deficiencies of iodine.

It theoretically measures how fast the iodin is absorbed into the body via the skin. It is not perfectly reliable because it does not give the levels of iodine concentration in the body as would a test carried out by the doctor. It just gives the speed of absorption. It cannot therefore used as a substitute to the usual laboratory tests.

The procedure of performing requires a tincture or a solution of iodin. It is usually orange in color. Smear a 3 by 3 inch square of your skin with the solution. The preferable sites include the inner forearm, inner thigh or the abdomen. Make sure it has dried off well before touching anything because it may stain it. The patch is monitored for the next twenty four hours for any changes in color.

What one should be keen about is the time taken for the spot to fade in color. If it is still present 24 hours after the painting, then the results are within the normal ranges but if disappearance takes place before 24 hours are over, then some deficiency is present. In addition, if significant lightening occurs within 18 hours, this is an indication of sever to moderate deficiency. Supplementation may have to be considered.

Several factors interact together to cause the color disappearance. Iodide is the component which results when iodin is reduced by the human skin. It is white and that is why the original color disappears. Evaporation is affected by the room temperatures and also the atmospheric pressure. Loading test is a better choice when reliability and validity of the results is desired.

Thyroid dysfunction may be the cause of low levels. Iodin is required by the gland for several purposes including maintaining of a positive attitude mentally, providing energy, keeping the menstrual cycles ordered, muscle growth enhancement, weight control, stabilizing cholesterol levels, regulation of heartbeats and hormone balancing.

Thyroid gland stores two thirds the total iodin found in the body. Taking seaweed vegetable is among the best ways of boosting the levels of iodine. A spoonful of the seaweed daily is enough to take the levels back to normal. Fish and any seafood incorporation in diet can go a long way in helping. Dairy products or even eggs can be another alternative. There is a group of foods known as Goitrogens which hinder how iodin is utilized in the body. The food types in this category include turnips, kales, kohlrabi, cabbage, broccoli, peanuts, cauliflower, soy flour and Brussels sprouts.

To revitalize the gland, selenium, copper, zinc, iodine and tyrosine are needed. Ensure you include foods high in this minerals are incorporated in the diet. For those with Hashimoto thyroiditis, iodin supplements should not be added because they may worsen the condition. You need to consult with your doctor before any steps are taken.




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