DM wrote: Reading about thyroid problems – I have to tell about how to find out if your thyroid is under-performing (from a complimentary therapist). Paint iodine on the bunion point of your feet, if it’s still there 24 hours later you need to take iodine. If it goes you’re OK. Trouble is getting iodine at the chemist is like finding hens teeth!
The only way this “may” work is if you don’t take a shower or bath for 24 hours and avoid perspiring. However, I still have my doubts about it as the rate at which it disappears also depends on how much iodine you paint on the spot, which is difficult to measure under these circumstances.
A more dependable way to test the thyroid at home is taking your metabolic rate, which is how much energy you burn. This is largely determined by your thyroid gland. Your body temperature is also largely regulated by your thyroid gland, and a low body temperature can be an indication of slow metabolism and low thyroid. Reduced thyroid function often manifests as a drop in basal body temperature to below the normal level of 98.6 degrees F. If you want to try this, use an accurate thermometer and write down your results for three days straight to obtain a good average.
Procedure:
1. Place the thermometer beside your bed before you go to sleep. If you’re using a mercury thermometer, shake it down to below 95° F.
2. On waking, before doing anything else (including talking), place the thermometer in your armpit for a full 10 minutes. Stay as still and relaxed as possible. If it helps, use a kitchen timer.
3. After 10 minutes, read and record the date and temperature. Women may also want to record where they are in their menstrual cycle.
4. Menstruating women should perform the test on days 1, 2 and 3 of their cycle, meaning the first three days of menstruation. If menstrual cycles are irregular, make an educated guess about when your period should be starting.
5. Men, children, and postmenopausal women can perform the test at any time.
6. Women using oral or topical progesterone should not take progesterone the day before or on the days that the basal temperatures are taken.
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