Now I have lots of information. I have been supplementing with iodine and some very serious symptoms have been eliminated. I continued to use the patch test. The first patch disappeared in 7 hours, the second in 10 hours, the third in 14 hours and the last one is still vaguely visible after 26 hours. For each test I also took one drop orally.
My physical improvement has mirrored the length of time the patch has remained visible. So, at least in my case, I am going to consider the patch test results as diagnostic.
I was hospitalized (coincidentally about three days after making the first patch) due to extraordinary fatigue, edema, losing words, and other symptoms. During my stay in the hospital I appeared to be getting better although no treatment was being given, but an enormous number of tests were. The third day of the hospital stay I experienced diuresis. The tests came up with absolutely nothing . It was not until I got home and continued to improve, and continued to take iodine, that I realized that my profound problems were caused by an extreme deficiency in iodine. My doctor is most embarrassed not to have spotted the problem
An interesting discussion.
The iodine deficiency test is administred toward large population, typically more than 100 subjects and performed by measuring amount of the iodine in urine.
Otherwise, the individulal is given small amount of I-121 isotope for 24 hours.
higher uptake about 40% with normal TSH/T4 level indicates iodine deficiency.
I agree. It was just that the other method intrigued me.
I would then start supplementing with iodine orally if you are deficient. I would not put all your trust into the skin test.
Interesting. But it does not explain what happens when the iodine completely disappears in less than seven hours. All of it cannot be attributed to evaporation. I guess that means it has been absorbed.
So perhaps the discussion with Dr. Derry would only apply to those who were not deficient in iodine. This does not give me the answer I was looking for, but it is interesting to think about.
"Meticulous research by Nyiri and Jannitti in 1932 showed clearly when iodine is applied to the skin in almost any form, 50% evaporates into the air within 2 hours and between 75 and 80 percent evaporates into the air within 24 hours. (1) A total of 88 percent evaporates within 3 days and it is at this point that the evaporation stops. The remaining 12 percent that is absorbed into the skin has several fates. Only 1-4% of the total iodine applied to the skin is absorbed into the blood stream within the first few hours. The rest of the iodine within the skin (8-11%) is slowly released from the skin into the blood stream." Interview of Dr David Derry by Mary Shomon
I was tested. I developed the deficiency having lived in a fishless country for 16 years. Then I regularly took iodine supplements (Atomidine) but this was interrupted when I had an accident last May and complications kept me in the hospital and rehab for two months. No iodine (I did not think to tell anyone). After getting home I went off my usual supplement routine and now am deficient again.
By the way I did paint myself yesterday and the square disappeared in less than seven hours. I do not know how to interpret this. Supposedly it eans I am seveely deficient. But I want to be sure.
May I ask how you know if you are deficient in iodine? Have you had any labs done to support this? I am sure you have read the same as everyone else in how to paint your skin with Lugol's and how it is suppose to show deficiency. It really is hard to tell and prove. If you have Hashimoto's you should not be dabbling with iodine while still in destructive and reactive stage.
Do you use table salt or iodized sea salt? Iodized sea salt is a healthy way to consume daily intake of iodine needed.