| Although iodine is a relatively rare substance, coming at | | | | adequate level of iodine and does not need to |
| a rank of 62 among the elements abundant on the | | | | increase the level by absorbing the patch you placed |
| earth, it has many vital uses in the human body. Its | | | | on your skin. If however, the patch has either faded or |
| primary function is to provide raw material to enable | | | | been completely absorbed by the skin, it indicates that |
| the thyroid gland to function. The thyroid is the third | | | | your body is suffering from an iodine deficiency. |
| largest endocrine gland in the human body and is | | | | This test can be used to supplement the iodine levels |
| located in the neck. The thyroid gland controls how the | | | | in the body. If the first test proved that your body |
| body consumes energy, how it produces proteins and | | | | requires iodine, continue repeating the procedure every |
| how sensitive the body should be to other hormones. | | | | day until the stain is no longer absorbed by the skin. |
| This is done by the production of the thyroid hormones | | | | This will indicate that your body has been able to |
| Thyroxine and Trriodothyronine that regulate the | | | | absorb the iodine it needs and does not require any |
| body's metabolic rate and also affect the growth and | | | | additional amounts. |
| functioning of many other systems in the body. Iodine | | | | While performing the skin test, it is advisable to also |
| is an essential component of both these hormones. | | | | drink some Lugol's iodine in a glass of water to |
| When there is a deficiency of iodine in the diet, the | | | | supplement the levels of iodine in the body. Lugol's |
| thyroid gland becomes swollen resulting in large | | | | iodine is a preparation of 5 gms of iodine and 10 gms |
| growths called goiters. The importance of the thyroid | | | | of potassium iodide mixed in 85 ml of distilled water |
| function in living creatures is demonstrated by | | | | and is available form any drug store. On the first day |
| administering thyroid blocking agents to tadpoles which | | | | drink a glass of water with one drop of Lugol's iodine in |
| prevent them from turning into frogs. Human children | | | | it. Increase by one drop every day so that on the |
| born with thyroid hormone deficiency will have physical | | | | seventh day the glass contains 7 drops of Lugol's |
| and developmental problem as well as possible | | | | iodine. However, at any time should the water taste |
| neurological impairment. Hypo (low) thyroid function is | | | | metallic or of iodine, reduce the next day's dosage by |
| becoming an epidemic in modern western society. | | | | one drop and continue the daily reduction until you are |
| Poor lifestyle habits that do not allow for the proper | | | | at a level or 2 drops per day and the iodine patch is no |
| intake of iodine by the body is one of the main | | | | longer being absorbed by the skin. Be careful never to |
| reasons that an estimated 20 million Americans are | | | | take more than 7 drops of Lugol's Iodine in a day, even |
| today suffering from thyroid problems. Disorders arising | | | | is there is no metallic or iodine taste in the water and / |
| from iodine deficiency are the world's leading cause of | | | | or the iodine patch on the skin is still being absorbed. |
| mental retardation and can have a significant effect on | | | | Once the patch is no longer being absorbed, 2 drops |
| a person's IQ. Even a mild case of iodine deficiency in | | | | of Lugol's iodine is an adequate maintenance dose for |
| pregnant women is enough to impair the brain | | | | most people. |
| development of the fetus. UNICEF estimates that in | | | | Please note that consumption of iodine and / or |
| the former Communists states of Eastern Europe, | | | | potassium iodide may have some side effect. These |
| where iodine deficiency rates are alarmingly high, | | | | may include:o Increased salivation and sneezingo An |
| approximately 2.4 million children are born each year | | | | continuous brass like taste in the moutho Headaches |
| with mental impairment. | | | | concentrated in the frontal sinus areao Acne like |
| To know the iodine levels in the body and the possible | | | | patches on the skin - these could be in any area. |
| effect they may have on the functioning of your | | | | If you experience any of the symptoms, stop |
| thyroid gland, it is possible to perform a simple test at | | | | consuming the Lugol's iodine solution and consult a |
| home without any expensive equipment. | | | | doctor. |
| To conduct the test you will need a bottle of 2% iodine | | | | Irrespective of the satisfactory result of the skin test |
| solution which will be available in the first aid section of | | | | and the consumption of a daily maintenance does of |
| any drug store. After your bath, dry off your body | | | | Lugol's iodine, an annual thyroid test is strongly |
| completely and using a Q-tip of any other clean cotton | | | | recommended. |
| swab, apply the solution to the skin. It should be applied | | | | And while it is obvious common sense to avoid |
| to an area where clothing will not rub against the skin, | | | | exposure to nuclear radiation, should there ever be a |
| such as the abdomen or upper thigh. The area of | | | | chance of your being exposed to it, scientists |
| application should be about 2 inches in diameter or the | | | | recommend that saturating your thyroid gland with |
| size of a silver dollar. Ensure that no lotions, ointments | | | | iodine will prevent it from absorbing radioactive iodine, |
| or perfumes are on or near this test area. Allow the | | | | which is the most common risk from radiation |
| stain to remain on the skin for 12 hours. | | | | exposure in nuclear power plants. Thyroid cancer is |
| If the stain is still present on the skin, leave it there for | | | | the most common form of the disease caused by |
| another 12 hours. If, at the end of the 24 hour period, | | | | radiation exposure in nuclear power plants. |
| the stain remains it shows that your body has an | | | | |