The thyroid gland, about two inches wide and weighting as much as a golf ball, is the seat of metabolism by virtue of thyroxine, the technical name for the hormone the gland produces. Once the thyroids production of thyroxine slows down, every cell in the body slows down with it. That’s why all chronic diseases are linked to hypothyroidism, the condition that the famous endocrinologist Broda O. Barnes, called “the unsuspected illness”.
If you have autoimmunity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity or any other longstanding health issue, the odds are pretty good you have an under performing thyroid. Dry skin, brittle nails and hair loss can also be associated with hypothyroidism.
You could have a thyroid panel done, a series of tests that measures various biochemicals that are associated with thyroid health, including TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone, a brain chemical that raises thyroid stimulating hormones, as well as the major forms of thyroxine. But these are all linked to reference ranges, which may or may not be relevant and normal results do not necessarily mean that you have a fully functioning thyroid.
You can also do an at home diagnostic called “the Barnes Basal Temperature Test”, which averages body temperature over three days. The test is performed by placing a thermometer under the armpit fist thing in the morning for ten minutes, as soon as you wake up. Women, who are five time as likely to suffer from hypothyroidism than men, should test them selves before or after menstruating.
According to Dr. Barnes, a temperature under 97.8 degrees is indicative of hypothyroidism and over 98.2 degrees of a hyperthyroid condition
