How to know if you need Iodine
Home tests and Lab Tests

There are two simple ways to know if you need iodine.

Option 1: Take the 24hour iodine saturation test. Anytime hypothyroid is suspected, or you are already diagnosed with any thyroid condition, cancer, fibrocystic breasts, polycystic ovarian disease, Lyme disease, CFIDS, fibromyalgia or autoimmune disorder it is a good idea to test for iodine deficiency. This test is very simple and is the most accurate way to know exactly what your iodine reserves are. This test measures iodine saturation by measuring the urinary excretion of a given dose of iodine. Saturation is defined as excreting 90% of the 50mg dose, indicating the body didn't need the iodine and excreted the excess. Simply order the kit from our site and we will get it right out to you, follow the instructions and return your urine sample in the prepaid envelope. You will have results in 2-4 weeks.

Option 2: Following your symptoms and daytime temperature. Many people opt not to have testing done at the beginning of iodine therapy. While testing is advisable, the following criteria can serve as a guide to see if you are a good candidate for iodine.

1. An oral daytime temperature consistently below 98.6°F for 3 days in a row. See our home temperature test for how to do this.

2. Experience fatigue and at least 2 symptoms below severely. Or experience fatigue and at least 5 symptoms below mildly.

Research and my personal experience suggest that, if you meet the criteria for Option 2, about 99% of women and 95% of men will test deficient. If you decide to skip testing though, there is no way to determine if you have additional symporter defect, or iodine toxins that could complicate or extend your recovery. So if you decide to skip testing, it is best to assume and treat for Symporter Defect, Bromide, Fluoride, and Heavy Metals than it is to have unexpected side effects.

Symptoms potentially related to low iodine, preclinical-hypothyroid and hypothyroid.

Fatigue Headaches & Migraines PMS Easy Weight Gain Depression Irritability Insomnia Allergies Fibro Cystic Breast Disease

Fluid Retention Anxiety & Panic Attacks Hair Loss Poor Memory Poor Concentration Low Sex Drive Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Hives Acidic morning urine pH below 6.5

Unhealthy Nails Dry Skin & Hair Cold Intolerance / Heat Intolerance Low Motivation/Ambition Acne Asthma High Cholesterol/Triglycerides Cancer

“Iodine is not a one to one replacement for medication and should never be used instead of your current medication.” put this in a excerpt box please.

Iodine Skin test – Is it or isn't it a good test for deficiency?

While iodine skin patch testing is widely promoted on the internet and amongst the natural medicine community, there is little scientific evidence support the theory. Nyiri and Jannitti in 1932 however found that only 1-4% of iodine that is applied to skin is actually absorbed into circulation, with 75-85% evaporating into the air over 24 hours. The remaining percentage is trapped in dead skin cells and eventually sloughs off. So in this type of test, people are asked to monitor the darkness of the patch of iodine applied to the skin for 24 hours. Supposedly the faster it fades, the more deficient you are. Conveniently unaware that the most significant variable in this test is the evaporation cycle, many try it and are convinced the are deficient. So its more of a situation where bogus test meets population of high probability iodine deficiency. Research by Fleches and Browstein et al clearly indicates that 99% of women and 95% of men in the US that are symptomatic for hypothyroid will test deficient in iodine by urinary iodine excretion analysis. Thus after taking the 'test” they then begin taking iodine and feel better, validating the myth of the iodine skin patch test.

References: 1. Nyiri,W., Jannitti,M.. About the fate of free iodine upon application to the unbroken animal skin. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 45:85-107, 1932.

Please also see our iodine research page.