What is the Iodine Patch Test?
- Gwen Krehbiel
- Jan 4
- 5 min read
Back in 2019, my patch test didn’t even last 10 minutes, and the iodine was gone. Iodine deficiency is associated with a higher rate breast cancer, so I supplemented it with a liquid iodine.
Read on to find out more about iodine.
Why is Iodine so Important?
60% of the iodine in your body is in your thyroid. The thyroid is there to help regulate your energy levels, mental clarity, memory, mood, metabolism, weight, and more.
You can probably see why getting adequate iodine would be so important? Well, there’s good news: Iodine supplementation can - and does - help thousands get adequate iodine and support their body.
Iodine deficiency?
Iodine is one of the essential components of thyroid hormones, and a lack of iodine in the diet can have a significant impact on thyroid function. To find out if you have an iodine deficiency, your doctor can order blood work, but a more economical option is to perform a patch test.
What are Other Signs of Iodine Deficiency?
Swelling in the front of the neck, or goiter, is a common symptom of iodine deficiency. It occurs when your thyroid gland is forced to make thyroid hormones when there is a low supply of iodine in the body.
Low iodine levels may slow your metabolism and encourage food to be stored as fat, rather than be burned as energy. This may lead to weight gain.
Low iodine levels may leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and weak. This is because your body needs minerals to make energy.
An iodine deficiency may prevent hair follicles from regenerating. Fortunately, getting sufficient iodine can help correct hair loss that occurs due to an iodine deficiency.
Dry, flaky skin may occur with an iodine deficiency, as the mineral helps your skin cells regenerate. It also helps your body sweat and hydrates your skin cells, so an iodine deficiency can cause you to sweat less.
Iodine helps generate body heat, so low levels of it may leave you feeling colder than usual.
An iodine deficiency may slow your heart rate, which may leave you feeling weak, fatigued, dizzy and at risk of fainting.
An iodine deficiency at any age may cause you to struggle to learn and remember things. One possible reason for this might be an underdeveloped brain.
Getting enough iodine is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as they have higher needs. An iodine deficiency may cause severe side effects, especially for the baby, such as stunted growth and brain development.
Getting enough iodine is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as they have higher needs. An iodine deficiency may cause severe side effects, especially for the baby, such as stunted growth and brain development.
What Foods Have Iodine in Them?
Plant foods can be excellent sources of iodine, but unfortunately the soil in which they are grown is so depleted of nutrients these days which is one reason why deficiency is common. Most healthy adults need 150 mcg per day, but pregnant and lactating women need 220-290 mcg more to meet the needs of their growing babies.
The foods below are excellent sources of iodine (39Trusted Source):
Seaweed, one whole sheet dried: 11–1,989% of the RDI
Cod, 3 ounces (85 grams): 66% of the RDI
Yogurt, plain, 1 cup: 50% of the RDI
Iodized salt, 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams): 47% of the RDI
Shrimp, 3 ounces (85 grams): 23% of the RDI
Egg, 1 large: 16% of the RDI
Tuna, canned, 3 ounces (85 grams): 11% of the RDI
Dried prunes, 5 prunes: 9% of the RDI
Seaweed is usually a great source of iodine, but this depends on where it came from. Seaweed from some countries, such as Japan, are rich in iodine (40Trusted Source).
Smaller amounts of this mineral are also found in a variety of foods like fish, shellfish, beef, chicken, lima and pinto beans, milk, and other dairy products.
And this is why we have iodized salt. Half a teaspoon (3 grams) over the course of the day is enough to avoid a deficiency. (Note that sea salt is NOT a good source of iodine however it IS a good source of trace minerals.)
I personally don’t use iodized salt and choose to take a liquid supplement. See more below.
What is the Iodine Patch Test?
To conduct this test, before bed, use tincture of iodine (the orange not the clear, antiseptic variety) to paint a 3-inch square patch on the inside of your forearm, the inside of a thigh, or your abdomen. The next morning, inspect the painted area.
Pay attention to how long it takes for the iodine patch to disappear. If the patch still exists 24 hours later, the results are normal. If the patch disappears or mostly disappears in less than 24 hours, it can indicate some degree of deficiency. In fact, significant lightening or disappearance in less than 18 hours is said to indicate moderate to severe iodine deficiency and suggest a need for supplemental iodine.
As I stated at the beginning of the blog post, back in 2019, my patch test didn’t even last 10 minutes, and the iodine was gone. Iodine deficiency is associated with a higher rate breast cancer, so I supplemented it with a liquid iodine. Some will argue that the patch test is bunk but I'm a firm believer. As previously stated, you may also wish to consult your physician to have a blood or urine test done.
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Ready to Go Deeper Than General Nutrition Advice?
Iodine plays an important role in thyroid function, metabolism, and overall balance—but nutrient needs are highly individual.
What supports one body may not support another.
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, hormonal shifts, or difficulty maintaining balance, the next step is not guessing or supplementing blindly—it’s gaining clarity.
Start with a Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session
The Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session is a focused, one-on-one session designed to:
Explore potential drivers of imbalance unique to your body
Identify patterns that may be affecting thyroid and metabolic function
Determine whether a structured, anti-inflammatory wellness approach—such as SHAPE ReClaimed—is appropriate for you
Citation:
Kargar, S., Shiryazdi, S. M., Atashi, S. R., Neamatzadeh, H., & Kamali, M. (2017, March 1). Urinary iodine concentrations in cancer patients. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5464505/
Kargar, S., Shiryazdi, S. M., Atashi, S. R., Neamatzadeh, H., & Kamali, M. (2017, March 1). Urinary iodine concentrations in cancer patients. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5464505/
Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment. Medical conditions require medical care.
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