By Olive Pate


Iodine is among the components used by the thyroid to produce necessary hormones to ensure the metabolic processes function normally. If it is not sufficient, a couple of problems can be witnessed including hypothyroidism. The iodine skin test is one of the popular methods of testing for iodin deficiency.

This test determines how quickly iodin is absorbed inside the body through skin. It is not one hundred percent reliable due to the fact that it does not give a broad view of the levels of iodin as a test conducted by the doctor could. It just provides information on how fast it gets absorbed. This should not be taken as an auxiliary to the clinically done tests to measure its levels. There is no available data to support its reliability in measuring the levels of iodin.

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.

Those who support the use of this examination believe that most important is the time taken before the patch disappears. If it will be present after twenty four hours, the results you get are normal. If it will disappear before twenty four hours end the results are abnormal. Results coming out in less than eighteen hours show moderate to intense iodin deficiency. That person needs to get iodin supplements.

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.

If the levels of iodin in your body are level, this may indicate malfunctioning of the thyroid. It needs iodin in balancing of hormones in the body, heartbeat regulation, cholesterol stabilization, weight control, enhancement of muscle growth, provision of energy, regulation of the menstrual cycle and even keeping a positive state of mind.

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.

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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