Carrying Out Iodine Skin Test

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.

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.

There are elements which associate to cause the fading of the iodine color from the skin surface. The solution is reduced to a compound known as iodide by the surface of skin. This resulting compound is white this is why there is fading. The rate at which the iodin evaporates is affected by atmospheric pressure and the temperatures. For more accurate results, loading test is the better alternative.

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.

About two thirds of the iodin found in the human body is kept in thyroid gland. Taking seaweed vegetables is a sure way of boosting the iodine content in the body. One spoon a day of this is enough to regain the normal levels. Seafood of even fish can also help out. Other food types containing iodin are eggs and also dairy products. Goitrogens are foods which hinder utilization of iodin in the body. They are food like cabbage, kale, soy flour, peanuts, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnips and kohlrabi.

Copper, zinc, iodine, selenium and tyrosine are the minerals needed to reactivate thyroid gland. Make sure to include foods rich in these nutrients in your nutrition. For those suffering from Hashimotos Thyroiditis, iodine supplementation should be avoided unless advised otherwise by your doctor.




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