Iodine test

[slopbog]

Hi I am on levthryorine 100gm and have recently developed Alopecia areata, i am having bloods done and waiting for results but a friend said to smear your inner arm with a small patch of iodine, it should not disappear for around12 hours as this indicates your thyroid is working well, so the quicker it disappears e.g say within an hour it indicates your thyroid is not working properly! has anyone else heard of or done this?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It has been discredited because so many factors influence the rate at which the colour disappears.

[slopbog in reply to helvella]

Ahh it did seem a bit random- thank you

[MaisieGray]

If you are taking 100 mcg Levothyroxine it's presumably because your thyroid isn't functioning properly if at all, so what would you be proving even if the suggestion had any validity, which would be very doubtful, because you already know that! It might indicate a sufficiency of thyroid hormones in the blood, but that's something different as it would presumably be impacted by exogenous as well as endogenous hormones. But again I doubt it - approximately 88% of the iodine evaporates from the skin within three days, not an hour or so; and depends on the form - colloidal iodine evaporates more quickly than tincture of iodine whilst Lugol’s solution is more stable than either of them.

However through various studies and general chemical knowledge, it's known that the skin iodine patch test is not a reliable method to assess whole body sufficiency for iodine as many factors play a role in the disappearance of its yellow color from the surface of the skin. For example, if iodine is reduced to iodide by the skin, the yellow color of iodine will disappear because iodide is white. In order to regenerate iodine on the skin, one needs to apply an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, complicating the test further. The evaporation of iodine from the skin also increases with increased ambient temperatures and decreased atmospheric pressure. For example, the yellow color of iodine will disappear much faster in a location above sea level than in a location at sea level, irrespective of the amount of bioavailable iodine. Alopecia areata simply means generalised hair loss in distinct areas ie patches, it's not a disorder in itself, it's the result of other changes in the body; and not just thyroid, or not directly thyroid. For instance, low zinc levels can be a factor. You need to check your nutrition and levels of key vitamins and minerals - did your recent blood tests include those?

[slopbog in reply to MaisieGray]

Many thanks MaisieGray for that information, the blood tests were for TSH,T3 T4 FT3 &THsr, and blood glucose A1c no vitamins, so I will have to have some more done. The hair consultant has had me on ginkgo Bilbo, super greens, vitamin D,and a probiotic blend pills for the last 2 and a bit months

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably the cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Alopecia arena is linked to Hashimoto's

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Have you had antibodies and vitamins tested at all or recently

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

You simply may not be on high enough dose of Levothyroxine, and/or have low vitamin levels, and/or food intolerances

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Can you add most recent blood test results and ranges. Or come back with new post once you have results and ranges

[slopbog in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou slowdragon I will come back once I have the bloods results and will investigate the private blood test for vitamins too.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to slopbog]

As you likely have Hashimoto's iodine is best avoided

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

[slopbog in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon, here are my results: I am on 100mg levothyroxine & suffering from Hair loss, ( alopecia areata) the hair specialist said it is my autoimmune system attacking my hair follicles & has requested specific bloods. I have got them back from the doctor and asked for copies but I don't really understand if or what they are indicating ? can anyone shed some light for me?

T3 3.8 T4 19 TSH 2.6

Iron & IBC >45%

vit B12953ng/L

Ferritin 77 ug/L

folate 17.5 ug/L

Hba1c 34mmol

thyroid peroxides Ab 5.8

tissu transglutaminase IgA lev 0.4

Haemoglobin estimation 143 g/L

MEAN CORPUSC HAEMOGLOBIN (mch) 33.7pg

Plasma glucose levels 3.6

[humanbean]

The best way of testing iodine is to use a 24 hour urine test. Do NOT use the loading test where you take a dose of iodine before the test - it isn't reliable. See these links for an explanation :

townsendletter.com/Jan2013/...

zrtlab.com/blog/archive/fla...

[slopbog in reply to humanbean]

thanks humanbean.

[shaws Administrator]

I haven't heard of this procedure re iodine but I do know that if we have one autoimmune condition we are apt to get others. I too have alopecia areata. Seems to be seasonal, i.e. no hair during at all from about March/April and then it begins to return (very slowly and patchy) from about October. Nothing I've tried works. I've also had Injections into scalp but husband has banned this as he just couldn't bear to watch.

[slopbog]

Hi Shaws I have not heard that before, I was advised against the injections or any scalp creams etc as if they work it is only short lived as the problem lies with the autoimmune system so it needs to be treated internally.Do you have a thyroid problem or take medication?

[Hidden]

The only test involving iodine that I have heard of is the classroom test for starch and salivary amylase (kids love it because you get to spit in a dish!) If starch is present a dilute iodine solution will turn it black. Then, as the amylase digests the starch into sugar, the mixture loses colour

[Hidden]

You didn't say if your doctor was also doing other tests besides the one for iodine. If you are losing your hair it may be 100 mcg is too low for you. Or you may need other meds added. Please check Seaside Susie for the complete list of labs you need to receive a competent and complete thyroid workup. Then post your results here for some very fine feedback which you may not be getting from your doctor.