Low Body Temperature is a Major Sign of Hypothyroid. Dr. Barnes was the first to show that a low basal body temperature was associated with low thyroid. His first study was published in 1942 and appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association. This study tracked 1,000 college students and showed that monitoring body temperature for thyroid function was a valid, if not superior, approach to other thyroid tests.

Most of the biochemical reactions occurring in the body are driven by enzymes - protein molecules that work according to their shape. Enzymes, and their actions, are influenced by the metabolic temperature of the body which is controlled by the thyroid hormones. When the body temperature is too low, the enzymes slow down, creating hypo-metabolism (hypothyroidism) and reduced metabolism (cellular energy). Then, every cell and every bodily system starts to slow down, leading to all sorts of health problems: fatigue, unwanted weight gain, poor sleep, lowered immune function, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, anxiety, depression, achy pain, constipation, tingling hands and feet, brain fog.

High fevers speed up the metabolism and allow the body to fight off infections. Hypothermia (90 degrees or below) can be life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The body works best at the optimal temperature of 98.6.

Self Test # 1

First thing in the morning while still in bed, shake down and place a mercury thermometer (digital thermometers are not as accurate) under your arm and leave it there for ten minutes.

Record your temperature in a daily log. Women who are still having menstrual cycles should take their temperature after the second and third days of the period. Menopausal women can take their temperature on any day.

> A reading at, or below, 97.8 strongly suggests hypothyroid
> A reading above 98.2 may indicate hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

If using a digital thermometer, wait 2 hours after waking up and take under the tongue (don't eat, drink or brush your teeth 10 minutes before taking temperature).

Self Test # 2 - How to Self Test for an Iodine Deficiency

Dip a cotton ball into USP Tincture of Iodine. (You can get iodine at the drugstore)
Paint a 2-inch circle of iodine on your soft skin, like the inner part of your thigh or upper arm.
If the yellowish/orange stain disappears in less than an hour it means your body is lacking crucial iodine and has soaked it up. If the stain remains for more than four hours, your iodine levels are fine.

If you find you're low in iodine, consider one of these thyroid support supplements.