Iodine and The Thyroid — Worth A Second Glance
After evaluating the results of this test, I may institute a careful treatment protocol, slowly introducing an iodine replacement drug called Iodoral, in dosages determined by Dr. David Brownstein and others. What I see with this protocol is that iodine levels do not just come up quickly, as the body replaces toxic halides and mercury with iodine. When paced correctly, this regimen — which takes time but has been extremely helpful for many of our patients — helps women avoid the palpitations and anxiety that can occur if iodine levels rise too abruptly.
You can get a sense for whether you may be iodine-deficient using a self-test with an iodine tincture. Accurate, more useful results can be obtained only through laboratory testing. With actual numbers, you and your healthcare practitioner can work together to appropriately replete your iodine levels.
The practice of iodine testing and treatment is a relatively emergent science that holds tremendous potential for improving women’s immune, breast, and thyroid health, and consequently our longevity. As we raise our awareness and understand more about how iodine works in the body, we can overcome any lingering “iodophobia” and begin to fully appreciate the value of this essential mineral.
Simple self-test for iodine deficiency:
To check whether you have enough iodine on board, you can try this safe self-test at home. Simply dip a clean ball of cotton in inexpensive red-tinged USP tincture of iodine from any drugstore. Paint a 2-inch circle of tincture of iodine on soft skin tissue, such as the inner arm or thigh.
Now wait – if the yellow-orange stain takes more than 6 hours to disappear, you are likely to be replete with iodine. If the stain is absorbed quickly (within 1–3 hours), your body may need a higher iodine intake.
The next step is to ask your healthcare provider for the more accurate, 24-hour iodine/iodide loading test.
-Skidmore, B. 2007
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