Test For Low Thyroid - The Body Temperature Low Thyroid Test

You may need to test for low thyroid hormone production if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms associated with hypothyroidism:

• Weight gain


• Steady reduction in weight and loss of appetite


• Tiredness that results in longer hours of sleep and waking as tired as when you went to bed


• Chronic fatigue and feelings of lethargy


• Feeling weak


• Change of toilet routine leading to constipation


• Shortness of breath without exercise or exertion


• Sudden bouts of depression


• Irritable and short tempered


• Poor memory retention, forgetfulness and lack of concentration


• Feeling cold at all times coupled with low body temperature


• Dry coarse hair, dry skin and possible hair loss


• Aching muscles and/or painful joints


• Headaches


• Fall off of libido


• Raised levels of cholesterol or triglycerides


• Heavy periods


• Difficulty in becoming pregnant

If you are looking for conformation of a possible thyroid disorder, why not try the D.I.Y Barnes thyroid temperature. This type of test for low thyroid was the only means doctors had of diagnosing a patients condition prior to the advent of blood tests. It may prove to be a reasonably priced, accurate first step to getting to the bottom of your own symptoms. Once you have determined if your symptoms are indeed hypothyroidism, you can decide on any future course of action, which could mean further tests either at home or in a clinic.

So just how do you test for low thyroid using the Barnes basal temperature low thyroid tests?

Keep a thermometer, preferably a digital thermometer if you own one, close at hand when you go to bed at night.

When you wake, place the thermometer in the pit of your arm for a period of five minutes. Make sure not to move around too much as movement can increase your core body temperature.

For five days repeat this test and record the temperature readings. For women pre-menopause, special consideration needs to be given during ovulation as this too will increase the body temperature. It is recommended that women who still have a menstrual period begin the test on or after the third day of their cycle.

At the end of the test for low thyroid, calculate the average temperature (add all the readings together and divide the total by the number of results taken) and if the resulting average temperature is 36.4 or below then a low thyroid function may be indicated. Further checks and a visit to your physician is recommended but thanks to this low thyroid check you have given yourself a better chance of overcoming any thyroid disorder.