How Low Body Temperatures Indicate an Issue with Your Thyroid
Many people wish they could improve their mental clarity and increase their energy. They search for quick fixes that promise to alleviate their fatigue, depression, and anxiety. If this describes you, then it might be time for you to grab your thermometer!
You may have heard of “Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome” in relation to your thyroid. It is one general term that can include dozens of common ailments including:
Fatigue
Irritability
Hair loss
Insomnia
Headaches
Weight gain
The idea is that your core body temperature can be directly linked to the overall functioning of your thyroid and your metabolism.
When you experience lower body temperatures, you are more likely to exhibit some of the above symptoms. Testing basal body temperature could be a key component to help you recognize a major problem.
For more information on the connection between body temperature and thyroid function, keep reading!
The Link Between Body Temperature and Metabolism
Body temperature can be an important indicator that something is amiss in the body. For example, we might spike a fever when a particularly awful sickness invades our immune system. With this known link, some researchers thought that there might be other connections (such as thyroid issues) that can be made by measuring body temperature.
Here are a few studies that have been done on this topic:
Lower body temperatures is mice may correspond to lower metabolic rate: One group of scientists began to test the theory that body temperature influences metabolism by inserting a thermometer sensor into the stomach region of a mouse. They measured both the core body temperature through this thermometer and the amount of oxygen that the mouse consumed out of the air around it. This secondary measure is a way of testing the overall metabolic rate. They discovered that the basal body temperature of the mouse directly corresponded with their oxygen consumption. When body temperature took a direct dip, so did their oxygen intake. (1)
Lower temperatures in humans may correspond to lower metabolism: Another study in humans compared the temperature readings between obese participants and lean participants during a twenty-hour time period. Obese patients had a slightly lower body temperature (on average about one-degree Fahrenheit less) than the lean volunteers. However, that one-degree difference could be indicative of an issue with metabolism, especially given their weight. (2)
Dr. Wilson proposed that many people experience their symptoms during the times of day when their body temperature is at its lowest. If you want a clear indicator of your metabolic rate and overall thyroid function, it is best to measure your basal body temperature at multiple points throughout the day. You should expect to experience some fluctuation with temperatures being lower in the morning and evening and higher in the afternoon.
How to Track Body Temperature
Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome is the colloquial term used to refer to a state where you consistently have low body temperature and demonstrate the symptoms of a slow metabolism.
Measuring your basal body temperature regularly could help you to determine if you have a metabolic or thyroid issue, particularly if it consistently reads lower than the average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is thought that during extreme periods of stress or illness, more of your T4 (thyroxine) is converted into reverse T3 (rT3), which eventually builds up in the body. The excess reverse T3 effects the conversion of T4 into T3 and cannot provide the energy that cells require to function properly. As a result, this thyroid deficiency can result in a lower body temperature. (3)
If you believe that you could have an issue with thyroid hormone conversion like the above, then you need to learn how to test your basal body temperature. The process is free and can give you excellent insight into your overall well-being.
1. Getting Started
Basal body temperature is typically taken when you are at rest. This means that you should start by taking your temperature first thing in the morning. Some experts recommend oral basal temperature but others specify underarm measurements. Dr. Barnes, an expert in the basal body temperature test, argues that the two measurements should be relatively close to one another. (4)
Before you take your temperature, be sure to warm up the thermometer slightly. You can place it up against the skin of your inner arm or neck to warm the tip. If you place the cold thermometer in your mouth or underarm, it can cool the surrounding area and result in a lower reading that affects your overall results. Be careful not to overheat the thermometer or the opposite can happen.
2. Tracking Your Temperature
From here, you should take your temperature every three hours. Here are a few landmarks throughout the day where you might find it convenient to take your temperature:
When you first arrive at work
During your lunch break
In your car on the way home from work
After dinner
Directly before bed
Most people should have time to take between five to six temperatures each day, and this is what you should average together.
3. Getting the Average
At the end of the day, you can add the numbers together and divide by the number of measurements that you have taken. You should have five to six measurements, depending on how long you were awake. This will give you the average of your basal body temperature throughout the day, and it is this number that will give you greater insight into your overall thyroid condition.
4. Stick With It
It is not going to be enough to simply take your temperature five times a day for a single day. You need more precise measurements in order to draw conclusions about a potential thyroid problem related to Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome. It is recommended that you keep graphing your average temperatures for at least five days to see a pattern.
Keep in mind that the three days prior to a woman’s period should not be considered when completing this type of test. Remember that there may be some variation in your basal body temperature. Women may experience lower basal body temperatures before ovulation, with temperatures ranging from 97 to 98 degrees. After ovulation, they may jump up to 98 to 99 degrees. Anything outside of this range can indicate thyroid issues.
5. Reading the Results
Dr. Barnes, like Dr. Wilson, believed that your temperature was closely linked to your thyroid. When you have high thyroid levels, your core body temperature would typically measure higher than the accepted average of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If your measurement is consistently lower than 98.6, then you may be experiencing hypothyroidism.
It is interesting that you might demonstrate issues using this method even though your thyroid blood test comes back normal. This is a more holistic way to get a detailed picture of your overall well-being.
If you find that your temperatures are consistently low, then you may need to supplement your diet with things like:
Iodine
Selenium
How to Choose a Thermometer
Purchasing a basal body thermometer is one simple way that you can make an investment in your overall health. However, you cannot simply use any old thermometer. Most thermometers that are sold at your local drug store will not be accurate enough to help you identify an actual problem with your thyroid.
When choosing a thermometer, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
First, you want to look for a model that can measure your temperature to the hundredth instead of just to the tenth of a degree. Even a slight difference in your basal body temperature like a couple hundredths of a degree could be significant when you look at your chart.
Doctors often recommend that you choose a glass mercury-free thermometer for an accurate reading. They tend to last longer and have long battery lives so you don’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon.
While not completely necessary, many people like to purchase a model that has a memory feature. This allows you to take your temperature on the three-hour mark but does not require that you immediately mark it on your graph. It can be convenient for measuring your temperature while on-the-go. You may even find a basal thermometer that syncs with an app as many women do use these to help predict fertility.
Getting a Better Picture
Taking your basal body temperature is an excellent way to get started before (or along with) a thyroid function test. If you keep up with this testing for a while and find that your basal body temperature is consistently low, then you definitely want to take a deeper look.
There are a lot of potential reasons why your thyroid could be failing. Some people are suffering from an unknown autoimmune condition while others are primarily showing symptoms of hypothyroidism. It could even be an issue with thyroid hormone conversion. It is important to get to the root cause so that you can address it and alleviate the nagging symptoms you experience.
The Thyroid + Test with Hormone Detox Shop
Check out our comprehensive Thyroid Testing. We will take a closer look at your:
TSH levels
Total and free T4
Total and free T3
Hashimoto’s antibodies
Reverse T3
At the same time, we will also be taking a look at some markers of immunity, blood sugar, and more.
While you can get your thyroid tested at your doctor’s office, it is often missing key markers and also the interpretation of a functional medicine expert. We make it easier and more useful with our direct testing service (available in most US States, and HSA cards often accepted at our site).
With all these markers included, we can see where a potential thyroid issue is occurring- The brain? The thyroid itself? The gut and liver? Is it due to autoimmunity?
Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and FunctionalDetoxProducts.com.
Check our her easy 5-Day DIY Detox Guide here!