A simple test to determine if adequate iodine is available for 
proper thyroid function, and to resupply stores if needed is this: 
obtain a bottle of standard iodine (sodium iodide, 2.4%) from the 
drug store. Paint a 50 cent-sized spot on the tender skin of the 
belly or thigh where clothes will not rub heavily. Watch that stain 
for 24 hours. If it disappears in less than 24 hours, there is a 
need of iodine, and the thyroid is likely sluggish. If the stain is 
noted to have disappeared, paint it again on a different spot, and 
continue to paint a spot until it remains visible for 24 hours. 
Interpretations of test: Color almost as strong as when it was 
applied (adequate iodine); Color turns red (this usually indicates 
chemical sensitivities that are normally helped by selenium 
supplementation); Color turns black (usually associated with food 
sensitivities); Color stays several days (usually indicates an 
iodine excess). One should supplement selenium, and also kelp 
(unless there is excess iodine), but do not use the drugstore iodine 
internally. For the autistic, a supplement of tyrosine would likely 
be necessary for T4 is a tyrosine/iodine substance. Tyrosine will 
improve dopamine levels that are often low in the autistic. As 
stated, iodine and selenium are very essential to proper thyroid 
function, but supplementing iodine in the absence of adequate 
selenium may do more harm than good! You must supplement at least 
200 mcg of selenium when doing this iodine replenishment. 

To determine if there is still a problem, perhaps as an aid to 
persuading the doctor to give the only effective, medical, thyroid 
test, the TRH test, do this: For five days, on awakening, without 
moving around except to reach the thermometer prepared the night 
before (shake down below 96.00F), measure the underarm temperature 
for ten minutes. Average the results for the five days. If that 
average reading is below 97.60F (normal underarm temperature), you 
likely have a problem. Below 97.20F, you definitely have a problem. 
Remember, if you take the temperature orally, normal is 98.60 F, and 
rectally it is 99.60F. Women still menstruating get the best 
readings on the second and third day after menstrual flow starts. 
Supplement kelp and the thyroid glandulars recommended above, and 
supply a wide range, multivitamin/mineral formula. Other supplements 
recommended in this article would be appropriate, especially the 
selenium, zinc, and glyconutrients. If that doesn't correct the body 
temperature reading in reasonable time, demand the TRH test.