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.

The tests ideally measures the rate at which body can absorb iodin through skin. You need to be aware that this is not the only test that you should do to have the full view of iodine levels in your body. Visit your doctor for more tests. This examination typically measures how your body does absorb iodine. Again is not a clinical substitute for this function. Research has not been done to support the use of this test in clinics.

It is done using a solution of iodine of tincture. The normal color of the solution is yellow. A three by three inch patch of skin is painted with the solution. The preferred sites are the abdomen, inner forearm or the inner thigh. It should be allowed to dry completely before you touch anything as staining can happen. The spot is observed for the following 24 hours for changes in the color.

What is emphasized in the test is the duration taken for the entire patch to vanish. If it is still there twenty four hours later, then the results are just normal. However, if it takes a less time than that to disappear, then this means there is a deficiency in absorption. To note is that if the disappearance or lightening is significant in duration less than 18 hours, the deficiency can be moderate or severe and this may be a cause for supplementation of iodin.

For the original color of iodin to change, several factors have to come in play. The skin is what reduces iodin to iodide causing a color change as the resulting compound is white in color. Ambient temperatures and also the atmospheric pressures affect the rate of evaporation of iodin from the skin. There is a reliable way of determining iodin levels in the body known as loading test.

Thyroid conditions may result to low iodin levels. The importance of the element is that is helps the gland to regulate heartbeats, maintain weight, stabilize cholesterol, balance hormones, enhance the growth of the muscles, keep regular menstrual cycles, provide energy and maintain positive perceptual attitude.

2/3 of the iodine in the body is stored in thyroid. One good way of boosting the levels is addition of seaweed to the diet. A tablespoon a day is enough. Fish and seafood are another alternative. The others include dairy products and eggs. Goitrogens are to be avoided because they interfere with iodine utilization. They include peanuts, kales, soy flour, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, kohlrabi and cabbage.

Reactivation of the gland requires selenium, tyrosine, copper and zinc. Therefore, make sure your diet contains foods with a high content of these minerals. People having an immune condition known as Hashimotos Thyroiditis should not go for these supplements unless the doctor deems it necessary.




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