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.

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.

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.

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.

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.