Is Your Thyroid Gland Underactive?

An underactive thyroid gland is a low thyroid condition and is called hypothyroidism. There are many degrees of underactive thyroid from very slight and subtle to severe. A blood test for thyroid function (TSH, Free T4 and Free T3) will determine if your thyroid is working normally, although sometimes it is necessary to do more sophisticated tests which measure levels of reverse T3. Reverse T3 is the wrong shape thyroid hormone and blocks the normally shaped thyroid hormones from working; this can lead to a low thyroid condition resulting in fatigue and weight gain.

The most common cause of sluggish thyroid function is deficiency in several or one of the following minerals – iodine, selenium, and zinc. Vitamin D deficiency can also make thyroid problems worse. Deficiencies of selenium, zinc, iodine and vitamin D are very common worldwide. Supplements such as Thyroid Health Capsules are available that combine selenium, iodine, vitamin D and zinc in the correct doses for the thyroid gland.

The most common medical problem to cause a low thyroid condition is called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and is an autoimmune problem and is diagnosed by detecting abnormally high levels of thyroid antibodies in the blood. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is usually inherited and there is often a family history of thyroid problems. Many people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are intolerant to gluten and if they consume gluten containing foods, this will lead to inflammation and a slow metabolism. To test for gluten intolerance, ask your doctor for the blood test GENOTYPE HLA D Q, to see if you have the genetic patterns that predispose you to gluten intolerance.

Your basal body temperature reflects your thyroid function

The basal body temperature is the lowest temperature attained by the body during sleep.  It is measured immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has occurred.

In people with an underactive thyroid gland, the body temperature falls below normal because of slower metabolism.

Conversely an overactive thyroid elevates body temperature producing a low-grade fever.

The metabolism in your whole body is completely dependent on enzyme function. Importantly, enzyme function is highly dependent on body temperature.

If your basal body temperature is below normal, then all the enzymes in every cell of your body will be working too slowly, which means your metabolism will be way too low.

Measuring your basal body temperature (BBT) can pinpoint a thyroid problem such as thyroid resistance, even if your blood tests for thyroid function are seemingly “normal.”

Tracking basal body temperature over 14 mornings gives you a better average.

Most digital basal thermometers on the market are not accurate enough for this type of thyroid testing, where we are measuring your  BBT. A digital  thermometer, and  also an infrared thermometer, may under-read a person’s body temperature.

The most accurate thermometer is the old-fashioned mercury thermometer, around which this specific BBT test  was originally created and standardized. Mercury thermometers can still be found in many pharmacies. You can also ask for a mercury-based fertility thermometer.

Modern digital-style thermometers are calibrated differently from the mercury type hence may give inaccurate readings for the BBT test. Only use the old-fashioned mercury thermometer.