About half-century ago, American physician Dr. Broda Barnes found out that waking activities can be monitored by measuring the body temperature. He was especially interested in the body temperature right after waking up. In his most famous book, he pointed out the health problems and disorders that can occur in cases when the thyroid gland is not functioning in the right way.
What is even more interesting is that Dr. Barnes has designed a test that can be performed at the comfort of your home. This test is simple and quick and it will take only a few minutes before you find out whether your thyroid gland is working properly or not.
Dr. Barnes Test
Just before you go to sleep, shake your thermometer well and wait until it reaches a temperature of 35 degrees. Once you wake up, put the thermometer under your arm. Keep it like that for about 10 minutes. Write down the results you get. Dr. Barnes describes this result as the early morning basal temperature. The normal temperature of a human body is between 36.5 and 36.8.
People suffering from some form of infectious disease or women that are currently experiencing menstruation may have different “normal” temperature. So, this test should be performed only when you are entirely healthy because otherwise, the results may confuse you.
Understanding the results
If your body temperature is normal (between 36.5 and 36.8) then your thyroid gland is working properly. If your body temperature is under 36.5 then your thyroid isn’t working with its full capacity – this is a case of hypothyroidism. Things such as fatigue, depression, lack of energy, continuous headaches, lack of focus and memory and hair loss are typical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
In case the temperature is above 36.8 then you may be dealing with an infection in the body or your thyroid is working faster than it is supposed to (a case of hyperthyroidism).
If you want to get precise results then you have to perform this test for three days in a row.
No matter if your temperature is below or above normal parameters, you should definitely consult your doctor. Keep in mind that selenium, proper relaxation and stress relief, proper work of the liver, sufficient amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B, magnesium and cortisol in the body are crucial for the proper work of the thyroid.
