The Iodine Patch Test:
This is another test you can do at home to test whether or not you are low in iodine, which leads to hypothyroidism.
Step 1: Go to the pharmacy and purchase Tincture of Iodine–the original, orange-colored solution, not the clear solution. You may have to ask for it. Usually it’s stored behind the counter these days because people make illegal drugs with it. Crazy isn’t it?
Step 2: Before going to bed, use the painting stick in the bottle of iodine to paint a 3 inch by 3 inch square patch of iodine onto the underside of the forearm or on the inner thigh or abdomen.
Step 3: In the morning, upon rising, note the color:
- No color left at all.
- Grayish colored
- Pale Yellow
- Bright yellow-orange (just like when you applied it the night before)
If there is NO color remaining on your skin, the test is complete. You are iodine deficient.
Check with your naturopath to get the proper supplement for you. This is a process. You may need to start out with a higher dose and a stronger product and slowly work down to a maintenance type of product over a period of several months. This is pretty difficult to do yourself unless you listen to your body and what it is telling you carefully, have lots of schooling, and know your physiology and biochemistry well. You should work with someone so that you won’t cause damage to your body. This is a hormonal thing and it can be rather tricky, especially if you are taking other medications and supplements.
If there is ANY color remaining on your skin, go to step 4:
Step 4: For the remainder of the day; check the patch every few hours. Note the time that all the color disappears. If the color still is remaining at bedtime, you may consider the test completed (you are not deficient in iodine). The color will slowly fade over the next few days and you can scrub it during your next shower.
- Color was gone by noon.
- Color was gone by 4:00 p.m.
- Color was gone by 8:00 p.m.
- Color was gone by bed time.
- Some color still remains.
When the iodine is gone quickly and a protocol is created for the thyroid issue I recommend that an iodine patch test be done once a month to monitor progress. Note that some people are allergic to iodine. You’ll know this soon enough when a rash develops on your skin and your heart starts palpitating. If so, don’t use this test.
Helpful Links and References for the Iodine Patch Test:
- Thyroid Handout: https://naturalhealthtechniques.com/thyroid-hypothyroidism-hyperthyroidism/
- Raw foods not so good for thyroid problems: https://naturalhealthtechniques.com/goitrogens/
- If a little is good? A LOT is dangerous with Iodine products: https://www.healthline.com/health/iodine-poisoning