How to Test for an Underactive Thyroid

Have you been experiencing unusual fatigue, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, hair loss, dry skin, depression and intolerance to cold lately? Does something just not feel quite right? It's possible that you could be experiencing a form of hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid.
There are a number of situations that can cause a thyroid to become sluggish, including Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder, inflammation, surgery or medication and pituitary dysfunction. If you suspect that you may be experiencing an underactive thyroid, there is a simple self-test that you can perform at home that will help you and your health care practitioner choose the next course of action.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer
• Small notebook
• Pencil or pen

Instructions

Testing Yourself for Underactive Thyroid

1. 

   Be prepared to perform these steps for three days straight. Before going to bed, place a thermometer, pen or pencil and a pad of paper or small notebook beside your bed. You will be using these items to create a thyroid diary.

2. First thing in the morning, before your feet even touch the floor, take your morning temperature by tucking the thermometer in your armpit and holding it there for at least 15 minutes. Relax and keep as still as possible.

3. 

   After 15 minutes, remove the thermometer and read your temperature. Record your findings in your thyroid diary. Follow these steps exactly for three days in a row.

4. At the end of three days, determine your average reading by adding up all three daily readings and divide them by three.

5. If your average reading is below 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is very likely that you are experiencing the early stages of hypothyroidism, and should speak to your doctor about your findings.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to educate yourself as much as possible about healthy living with a thyroid condition. There are many books written about the subject. Check your local bookstore for details.

• Remember that this thyroid self-test should not be considered a replacement for clinical testing of your thyroid levels. Maintaining healthy thyroid balance is a tricky process and must be done under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner. If your average temperature continues to read above 97.5 degrees, and you're experiencing low thyroid symptoms, seek the advice of your health care provider. There may be other conditions involved.

Resources

• Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism--Defining the Differences
• Mayo Clinic on Hashimoto's