5 replies to this topic

[wayside]

So, my doctor did this test for iodine deficiency, where he swabbed a bunch of iodine solution on the inside of my wrist.

The idea is that if it is absorbed by your body with 24 hours (i.e., the stain disappears), it shows you are deficient in iodine and need to supplement it.

What do you think? Is this a valid test for iodine deficiency?

[sUper GeNius]

So, my doctor did this test for iodine deficiency, where he swabbed a bunch of iodine solution on the inside of my wrist.

The idea is that if it is absorbed by your body with 24 hours (i.e., the stain disappears), it shows you are deficient in iodine and need to supplement it.

What do you think? Is this a valid test for iodine deficiency?

Your doctor?? My doctor told me that that's a crock, and that iodine deficiency is unheard of in countries that add iodine to salt. Why are you concerned about deficiency?

[wayside]

Your doctor?? My doctor told me that that's a crock, and that iodine deficiency is unheard of in countries that add iodine to salt. Why are you concerned about deficiency?

I assume he did it in response to thyroid testing that he did. He is pretty smart about these things.

Iodine Deficiency:

National survey data suggest that average US dietary iodine intake fell dramatically from 1971-1990 and then stabilized. Urinary iodine values of less than 50 mcg/L are found in 11.1% of the total population, 7.3% of pregnant women, and 16.8% of reproductive-aged women.

Values less than 50 indicate moderate to severe deficiency. 11% hardly qualifies as "unheard of".

So it is perfectly possible to be iodine-deficient in the US.

As for why iodine consumption is down:
Treatment

This overall decrease in dietary iodine may be a result of reduced intake of eggs and salt, decreased iodine supplementation of cattle feed, decreased iodate conditioners in bread, decreased use of iodized salt in manufactured foods, poor education about the medical necessity of using iodized salt, and reduction in the number of meals made at home.

I also read that fluorine in water will displace iodine absorption since they are in the same family. My water is fluoridated.

You will find many places on the internet that claim the skin test is valid (including some written by doctors), and a few that claim it is not valid. Thus I pose the question here.

[nameless]

According to here, it's useless:

http://thyroid.about.../derry/bl2a.htm

If concerned about an iodine deficiency, I guess you could just take a multi with some iodine in it (most include it) and drink bottled water instead? I assume he did a normal thyroid panel too? TSH, Free T3/T4, thyroid antibodies? I'd rely on those values a lot more than a belly iodine test.

[sUper GeNius]

Why play around with tincture of iodine? Why not simply get a urinalysis?

[sUper GeNius]

Hmm. You got me wondering about my diet. I rarely use table salt. What foods contain iodine? Is the salt in processed foods and restaurant food iodized? What about milk and bread?