Test your own thyroid
Sonia Jones ND from The Haven Spa and health Clinic
This test only gives you an indication – it is not instead of a convention test – I suggest you read my article called The Thyroid – natural view point, to give you a fuller picture.
Simple Temperature Test
Option 1
The temperature test is a simple test you can do at home. This has been used for many years to give an indication of how well your thyroid is doing. This safe and easy test is only an indication.
You will need an old fashioned mercury thermometer (not the digital type), which you will place in the arm pit on waking and before you get out of bed. Leave it there for 10 minutes and note your temperature accurately. Do this for three to four mornings consecutively. Men and non menstruating women take your temperature any three or four mornings consecutively. For women who are still having periods, take your temperature on day 2, 3, 4, and 5 of your period. Take the four readings and divide by four to get an average temperature.
98.6
98.4
98.2
98.5 = 393.7 divide by 4 = 98.4 indicates the thyroid is okay.
Option 2
Take your temperature by placing the thermometer under the tongue 3 hours after you wake up, then three hours after that and finally three hours that. If you wake up at 7.00 take your temperature at 10.00, then again at 1.00 and finally 4.00. Do this for three days, then add up all the temperatures, divide by the number of readings to get an average temperature.
Some people prefer this 2nd method as it is possible for your temperature to be naturally low after sleeping.
A normal temperature for a healthy person is 98.6F or 37C.
Below 98.2 F could indicate hypothyroidism.
A low body temperature could also implicate other conditions like fasting, hypo-adrenalism, chronic long term infection, post viral infection, coming off the pill and maybe chronic fatigue syndrome. But these are also conditions we will deal with.
However, for most people their thyroid gland is working well enough so mal-function does not show up, never the less our thyroid could be struggling, due to a number of deficiencies and toxic over-load and the amount of dieting. For your body to manufacture any hormone effectively your body needs the raw materials all in the right proportions. These are vitamins, minerals, plant compounds, enzymes and antioxidants etc. The thyroid gland is so dependent on many nutrients that are in short supply in most people’s normal diets. If you follow the advice, your thyroid function long with all the other glands will improve and so will your metabolism.