“In the 1940s, Dr. Barnes realized that the blood tests were usually inaccurate. Consequently, he developed a simple test to confirm suspected low thyroid function using an ordinary thermometer. He found that normal underarm or oral temperatures immediately upon awakening in the morning (while still in bed) are in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. He believed that a temperature below 97.8 indicated hypothyroidism; and one above 98.2, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Dr. Barnes recommended that the underarm temperature taken immediately upon awakening be used to diagnose hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, even today’s highly sophisticated tests are no more accurate than the tests used in Dr. Barnes’ era.
Therefore, I instruct my patients to take their temperature orally (as opposed to underarm) immediately upon awakening in the morning as a guide to diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism. At the same time I have my patients check their resting pulse rate which should be between 65 and 75. If a patient exhibits hypothyroidism symptoms and his temperature is below 97.8 Fahrenheit, I prescribe one grain (60 mg) of Armour Desiccated Thyroid daily. If no improvement is noted in two or three weeks, I instruct him to increase the dose by another grain. At each step, we monitor morning temperature and heart rate. If the suspected hypothyroid symptoms are still present and the temperature is still sub-normal, it is safe to continue to increase the dosage provided that the patient’s heart rate goes no higher than the mid-70s, and no symptoms of hyperthyroidism are evident, (agitation, anxiety, poor sleep, tremor of hand, palpitations). Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone is very safe. There is little risk of excessive thyroid dosage if: (1) the patient feels well; (2) the temperature remains below 98.2; (3) the pulse is less than 75 beats per minute; and (4) the thyroid function tests remain normal. (Note that most hypothyroid patients feel best with sub-normal TSH levels).” -Dr. Ward Dean
Hay Rob…Thanks for this info! Leads me to wonder if the anxiety attacks experienced by hypothyroid patients, AND perhaps the the “hot flashes” (which FEEL like anxiety attacks, with heart pounding, bladder spasm, agitation, etc.) COULD be the body’s effort to fight the lack of thyroid hormones. Interesting study here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC322326/
I think you may be onto something there, Jane.
What if pulse is normally around 80 but temps are still low?
Thanks Rob! Do you recommend people getting thyroid lab tests or do you feel its not worth it? Also, do you feel it is safe for people to administer thyroid hormone themselves?
Thanks
@darius I think charting these data points over time and correlating it to your diet and lifestyle are needed. I don’t have enough information to say for sure what is going on. If your temperature or pulse drop following a meal, that can indicate that adrenaline in a factor in your high pulse.
@jay I think TSH is a helpful parameter to consider, but the reference ranges for “normal” are poor I feel. The help of a medical professional is best to prescribe and dose thyroid hormone.