Temperatures taken at specific times can be a clue to what is going on in your metabolic health.
- Temperatures can diagnose hypothyroidism.
- Temperatures can be a help in finding the right dose of NDT and or T3.
- Temperatures can help assess if adrenals need testing.
- Temperatures can help you to find the right amount of HC or ACE.
Diagnosing Hypothyroidism with temperatures:
An adult with a healthy thyroid will have a temperature at 3:00 PM of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees Celsius. If you take your temperature at 3:00 PM and find that it is below that (low 98’s or high 97’s- 96’s are not unheard of), this is a sign you should consider testing your thyroid hormones. Higher temperatures COULD indicate Hyperthyroidism (Graves’)
An adult with a healthy thyroid will have a temperature at waking (before getting out of bed) of 97.8-98.2. Like that 3 PM temperature, if it is lower, you may be hypothyroid. Higher temperatures COULD indicate Hyperthyroidism.
Raising NDT and or T3 and temperatures:
As you consistently are raising your doses of NDT and or T3, you will see your temperatures begin to climb at 3:00 PM, along with feeling fewer symptoms. We have noted that some will reach 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees Celsius before reaching optimal on labs. Temperatures cannot be used in place of labs.
Temperatures and adrenals:
One way to see if you need to test adrenals is to do Daily Average Temperatures (DAT’s). This is done by taking your temperature at 3 specific times in the day:
- Three hours after waking
- Three hours after that
- Three hours after that
You add the three temperatures up and divide by 3 to get your DAT for that day.
You will need 5 days of DAT’s.
The 5 days should be no more than 0.2 degrees apart, sometimes a stray 0.3, but aim for 0.2 in Fahrenheit.
In Celsius, the 5 days should be no more than 0.1 apart, sometimes a stray 0.2, but aim for 0.1.
Although unstable DAT’s can indicate an adrenal issue is present, it will not tell us what the cortisol pattern is. One needs to do a saliva cortisol test at 4 points in the day to find that out.
If you are using DAT’s to find out if you are on the correct dose of HC or ACE, you will wait for 5 days on a dose of HC or ACE before beginning DAT’s.
So, after 5 days on a dose of HC or ACE you begin DAT’s:
This is done by taking your temperature at 3 specific times in the day:
- Three hours after waking
- Three hours after that
- Three hours after that
You add the three temperatures up and divide by 3 to get your DAT for that day.
You will need 5 days of DAT’s.
The 5 days should be no more than 0.2 apart, sometimes a stray 0.3, but aim for 0.2 in Fahrenheit.
In Celsius, the 5 days should be no more than .1 apart, sometimes a stray 0.2, but aim for 0.1.
If the DAT’s are stable at 0.2 for Fahrenheit or 0.1 for Celsius, then your dose of HC or ACE is correct.
If they are more than 0.2 Fahrenheit or 0.1 Celsius, that indicates you need a raise in HC or ACE.
Are there specific Thermometers that work best?
Old-Fashioned mercury thermometers are the best if you can get one. If not, Geratherm thermometers work very well, and some digital ones work well. When in doubt, use mercury or Geratherm. Mercury and Geratherm thermometers need a full 5 minutes under the tongue to get an accurate temperature.
Can temperatures be taken under the armpit instead of the mouth?
Yes! The thermometer needs to remain under the armpit for 10 minutes; once you have the temperature, add a ½ degree to it. In other words, if your armpit temperature is 98.1, your body temperature may actually be 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
I have hypothyroid symptoms and my temperature is high:
This can mean:
- Hashimotos is attacking your thyroid, it is important to test TPO and TgAb antibodies in this case.
- Low iron levels can cause this.
- Low Aldosterone can cause this.
- Low OR high Estrogen can cause this.
- Excess adrenaline can cause this (an issue with those with adrenal issues).
Are low body temperatures a problem?
Without proper body temperatures, viruses and bacteria can grow and become out of control. The liver is affected due to lowered enzymes in low temperatures, resulting in reduced detoxification abilities.
Are there any things a cycling woman should know?
Cycling women have a few things to keep in mind when taking temperatures or DAT’s.
- Ovulation – Women’s temperatures go UP in ovulation. Because of this, women should not do Temperatures or DAT’s around ovulation.
- Menstruation – Women’s temperatures go UP during menstruation. Because of this, women should not do Temperatures or DAT’s during menstruation.
Many cycling women do their temperatures or DAT’s after menstruation and before ovulation.
How do I know if I am ovulating?
- The best and most accurate way is with ovulation test strips, these can be purchased at drug stores and online.
- Vaginal secretions tend to increase at ovulation (egg white like discharge).
- Some women have uterus pains that suggest ovulation.
- Sexual desires can increase in some women.
- Tracking your temperatures at waking for a full cycle on an app like Kindera can give a clue.
Dr. Rinds temperature graph: Metabolic Temperature Graph