The thyroid – Often overlooked or misdiagnosed

Most doctors use blood tests called T3, T4, and T7 to determine thyroid activity in patients. They then compare these blood readings with what are called “normal” ranges, and if the blood tests fall within these ranges, the patient is told they are “normal” or “OK.”

One of the reasons three tests are used is because none of them are very accurate. I have seen many people who were told they were in the “normal” range, but when they assessed themselves with the accurate temperature test below, they were found to be very hypothyroid (low activity).

Dr. Broda Barnes, a physician far ahead of her time, discovered more than 50 years ago that basal body temperature was a good indicator of thyroid activity, particularly body temperature upon waking from sleep. He wrote a book on thyroid activity and the various ills and problems that arise from underactive (hypo) thyroid.

I am indebted to Dr. Roy Kupsinel of Orlando Florida for introducing me to the work of Dr. Barnes and for various other aids he provided while I was practicing there and gradually learning about alternative and orthomolecular therapies.

Thyroid activity test

At night, shake a thermometer; make sure it’s churning and below 95 degrees. The next morning, upon waking, place the thermometer under your arm with the bulb in your armpit with no clothing between it and your armpit. Leave it there for 10 minutes (use the snooze alarm if you wake up to an alarm). He only sleeps for that time by staying still.

After 10 minutes, remove the thermometer and read it, noting the result immediately. (Upon awakening, most people do not think clearly and may forget to read.) This is known as your basal temperature early in the morning, and the “normal” should be between 97.8 and 98.2. This reading taken by the armpit is somewhat lower and somewhat more accurate than the one taken by mouth. If you have a low grade infection this may be higher than “normal” so if it is in the above range you should repeat the above procedure every other day for a week or so. If you are a woman who is menstruating, do it on the second and third day of your period as well.

If it is lower than the above range, you probably have hypothyroidism, and if it is higher, you probably have hyperthyroidism or have an infection somewhere. (Hiccup means low in docterese and hyper means high).

Just some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be: depression, low energy, fatigue, many infections, chronic headaches, circulatory problems, chronic skin problems, poor memory and / or concentration, eczema, psoriasis, irregular menstrual periods, neuroticism , irritability, hair. loss and much more.

A serious problem that many people with hypothyroidism suffer from is obesity. Because the thyroid governs the rate of metabolism, and if it is underactive, the body stores energy in the form of fat. A person with hyperthyroidism is usually quite thin no matter what they eat. (We all hate those lucky ones!)

Dr. Broda Barnes’s book is excellent.

To treat hypothyroidism, you can try to find a doctor or DO, who will prescribe Armor Natural or Cytomel. Synthroid is what is mainly prescribed, but it has been linked to osteoporosis. There is also the Lugol, which has been found helpful in conjunction with the thyroid. Or you can go to a good health food store and buy a “glandular” that contains thyroid (along with other glandulars generally). Start with two glands a day for a week and use the temperature test above to determine if it is right for you.

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