Basal Temperature

You too can test your thyroid by taking your basal temperature. You need to buy an old-fashioned glass thermometer (not digital) which you shake down the night before you go to bed and place on your bedside table. First thing in the morning, before moving a muscle, place the thermometer under your armpit for ten minutes and take your temperature. Do this for five or six days in a row. If you are a menstruating woman, the optimal time to achieve accuracy in doing this is the second and third and fourth days of menstruation as ovulation can change the body temperature by 1.5 degrees. A prime basal temperature is 97.5. Anything between 97.2 and 98.2 should be okay. If you are above that you are probably hyperthyroid and and/or have pituitary or adrenal problems or have a cold coming on. You can have your adrenal glands (besides the thyroid, another endocrine gland) tested if the doctor suspects other endocrine things may be going on in your system.

One of those other things can be Addison's disease, usually caused by an autoimmunity, a rare disorder in which symptoms are caused by a low-level of the corticosteroid hormones. Symptoms are tiredness, weakness, vague abdomnial pain, weight loss, and darkening of the skin in the palm creases and body pressure points.

Another adrenal malfunction could be Cushings Syndrome, which results in an over production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. The Cushings symptoms might be upper body fat distribution in the chest, face, upper back, and stomach, especially around the neck; bruising easily; having an insulin resistance (check your glucose levels) resulting in weight gain and increased appetite; having high blood pressure; having water and salt retention leading to swelling and edema; having adrenal suppression and crisis; having osteoporosis; having depression, paranoia or euphoria; having insomnia; having sexual dysfunction; having abdominial distention and weakness; and/or having diabetes. It is a simple painless test that will tell the doctor what your system is up to and if there is anything out of the ordinary. At the very least you will have achieved getting a baseline of your adrenal function. A high protein diet can help a lot if there is adrenal malfunction.

If you are below the prime basal temperature, you are hypothyroid and in need of more thyroid hormone replacement. If above, you are hyperthryoid.