Does anyone use basal temperature to inform self-treatment?

[Jacs]

I’ve had Hashis for almost 20 years now, and experienced the usual poor treatment of TSH measurement and T4 only, until I was so poorly that research led me to Dr P who turned my health around. Initially this was with Nutri Thyroid/Nutri Adrenal and vitamins, but more recently (last 4 or 5 years) with self-medication of T3 (Cytomel) from Mexico along with Levo prescribed by Doc. I’m also GF (which made a huge difference)

Whilst 1000% better than I was originally, I think I’m probably still not optimal, and particularly notice symptoms at this time of year.

I’ve gone back to basics to remind myself of Broda Barnes and basal temp. Mine is low 97/high 96 range currently

My question is, should I try raising meds until basal temperature is increased so long as I don’t have any untoward symptoms? I don’t feel too bad and certainly don’t want to over-medicate, but re-reading BB book would suggest there are improvements to be had.

I struggle both with the cost of regular private blood testing, but also with the process of actually getting enough blood via finger-prick method, and it’s impossible to test T3 in my London Borough, even on the rare occasion it’s requested by the GP!

Does anyone else here use Basal temperature to monitor, and if so, would you expect me to see higher temp? I ‘m using a digital thermometer which I know aren’t super-sensitive

Thanks for reading

[humanbean]

I have no proof of this, but I'm sure I've read that if hypothyroidism is found early and is treated promptly and adequately then lowered basal temperature may return to "normal".

But if hypothyroidism is not found, not treated, or treated inadequately for many years (in some cases decades) then lowered body temperature usually becomes permanent. Even treating someone in this situation perfectly might not raise body temperature.

In my 20s I had to record my basal temperature for a few months for fertility investigations. I was shocked to find out that my temperature very often went as low as 95.x °F and never got above 97.x °F unless I was ill. I rarely have an actual fever even when I'm ill. I'm past menopause now and my temperature varies a lot less than it used to in my 20s. I average around 96.x °F now.

I started treating my hypothyroidism in my early 50s. I discovered my basal temperature only shifted to "normal" if I took an excessive amount of T3. As soon as I reduced dose my temperature dropped again.

One thing that I think is relevant with regard to temperature, hypothyroidism, and whether we ever actually feel well after treatment starts is that many enzymes in the body only work efficiently when the body is at the right temperature. If those enzymes work inefficiently then lots of biochemical processes in the body will work inefficiently. And so people with thyroid disease might find it hard to ever feel well.

I think it is still a good idea to measure basal temperature, blood pressure and pulse as a check on health generally in someone with dodgy thyroid function. But in the case of temperature it would be common for it to be abnormal in thyroid disease.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I forgot to say...

If you keep records of your basal temperature I doubt that doctors will be interested in your records, so you should consider them to be for your own use. If you tell them that low basal temperature is a common sign in hypothyroidism they will dismiss it because lowered body temperature can occur in many diseases. I don't actually know how true that is, but I would have thought that a good diagnostician would note lowered body temperature and consider hypothyroidism as a possible cause of someone being unwell. But apparently that rarely, if ever, happens these days where almost all diagnosis in a GP surgery is done with blood tests. That way they don't have to look at or touch the icky patients.

[Jacs in reply to humanbean]

Thanks humanbean. I am only monitoring for myself, and did think it’s unlikely that my temp would rise to normal. I may up my dose slightly and see if it makes a difference anyway 🤞🏻

[pennyannie]

Hello Jacs :

When I resorted to self medication in 2018 after reading Dr P 's book I did monitor my temperature and blood pressure and saw my temperature rise from 35. 4 to 36. 6 whilst my blood pressure remained constant.

I'm with Graves post RAI thyroid ablation in 2005 and became extremely unwell in around 2014.

I found no help nor understanding within the NHS system and was only ever offered Levothyroxine and anti depressants. I was refused a trial of T3 owing to my suppressed TSH. and told I was overmedicated whilst my T3 barely scratched 50% through its range.

I do also supplement adrenal glandular as well as Natural Desiccated Thyroid and see this as a permanent solution to repairing the damage incurred by drinking the RAI toxic substance.

[Jacs in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks for replying. I also measured my temp earlier when I was seeing Dr P, just thought I’d return to the basics again to see if I can get any improvement now I’ve more time to log and monitor any changes.I really feel for you - I allowed ‘the experts’ to give my daughter RAI in her late teens and it’s the biggest (only?) regret of my life. Watching her struggle with symptoms whilst battling for treatment is heartbreaking. I’ll always feel guilty - I should have done more homework to protect her beforehand but this was early days when I trusted these people and with 2 ‘expert’ opinions telling me it was the only way forward .....

[pennyannie in reply to Jacs]

This like is an acknowledgement as reading that is upsetting :

Somehow you need to " park " this guilt for both you and your daughter to move on and both regain your health and wellness again :

At the time you made the best decision you could working with the information available from the experts :

I know as I have days when I beat myself up as well - it's especially hard when you have been forced into self medication by a system unable to recognise it's own short comings.

[Jacs in reply to pennyannie]

Sorry I didn’t mean for it to be upsetting 🙁

[pennyannie in reply to Jacs]

No worries - I was just concerned for you carrying this weight ;