I'm new here. I have some questions about basal temperature

[bookleaves]

I've got a high TSH (28) and I'm trying alternative methods and want to monitor how I'm doing with the basal temperature test. BUT lots of things I'm not sure about:

- I go to bed late (1.30 - 2.00am) - will that make a difference?

- My night time/evening temperature is lower than my waking temperature - isn't it supposed to be the other way round? What might that be about?

- Are ear thermometers reliable? Compared to my mercury thermometer, although it's convenient and quick, it gives different results most (but not all) of the time. It gives considerably higher and considerably lower readings at times. Should I stick to the mercury thermometer?

Have other people used basal temperature to monitor their recovery? Any thoughts/comments welcome.

Thanks

[humanbean]

I go to bed late (1.30 - 2.00am) - will that make a difference?

It might affect your cortisol levels and/or your cortisol circadian rhythm. For most people working during daylight hours or a 9 to 5 job (do they still exist?) cortisol usually peaks at about 8am - 9am. But by sleeping late that cortisol peak may happen later.

Cortisol has an effect on TSH. See this link :

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/hig...

My night time/evening temperature is lower than my waking temperature - isn't it supposed to be the other way round? What might that be about?

I'm not knowledgeable about temperature fluctuations and circadian rhythm issues that occur with temperature. You might want to try the suggestions on this link :

drrind.com/metabolic-temper...

I will admit I've never done the graphing myself, but some people have and say it has been helpful.

Are ear thermometers reliable? Compared to my mercury thermometer, although it's convenient and quick, it gives different results most (but not all) of the time. It gives considerably higher and considerably lower readings at times. Should I stick to the mercury thermometer?

Hospitals and doctors use ear thermometers, so I assume they must be happy with the accuracy. But personally I use a mercury thermometer too. I trust it more than the ear thermometer that I bought.

I've got a high TSH (28) and I'm trying alternative methods and want to monitor how I'm doing with the basal temperature test.

Your TSH is the most important thing you've mentioned in your post...

You are severely hypothyroid with a TSH of 28. I would guess that you want to try "alternative methods" of treatment in the hope of healing your thyroid and avoiding hormone replacement therapy.

Unfortunately, with a TSH of 28 your thyroid will already be quite damaged and it can't be healed. It isn't like the liver which can regenerate. It should be possible to improve/reduce any inflammation in your body, including your thyroid, but any damage is permanent.

A lot of people think of thyroid hormones as being drugs, and the idea of being on drugs all their lives absolutely horrifies them. That is understandable, but thyroid hormones aren't an optional extra. They are vital for the proper functioning of every single cell in the human body, and when levels are low there are an immense number of things that can go wrong, from cardiovascular disease to dementia, nutrient deficiencies, gut problems, muscle and joint pain, anxiety, depression, mental illnesses of other kinds.

The thyroid hormones that are prescribed (usually Levothyroxine) is a copy of the actual hormones that a healthy thyroid creates for itself. Any side effects that most people get from Levo are caused by low nutrients (which can be fixed), or can happen because a particular brand doesn't suit (in which case you can try a different brand).

It isn't easy being hypothyroid, but remember that the majority of the people who use this forum are people from all over the world who may have had problems getting diagnosed, may have been left under-medicated, may have been left on a brand of Levo that wasn't tolerable... But the vast majority of people who go onto thyroid hormone replacement do very well on it, and feel that their lives have improved immensely.

[bookleaves in reply to humanbean]

Thanks very much for this

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Hello humanbean, you have a mercury thermometer?!! I’ve been trying to find one everywhere I can think of, where did you get it please?

Thanks

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Noelnoel]

I remember looking for one a few years ago, I'm not sure they make them anymore due to the risk of it breaking and Mercury leaking out as its extremely toxic. I could be wrong but that's what I read.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

They have not been available for years - for precisely that reason.

The nearest now is one which is based on Gallium - another metallic element with a low melting point. They are made by Geratherm. The main criticism seems to that shaking them down after use is harder.

[Noelnoel in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Sparklingsunshine, thank you

[humanbean in reply to Noelnoel]

I bought my mercury thermometer about 40 years ago. I did try to buy another one a few years ago just so I could have a spare, but I had no luck finding any either.

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Thank you humanbean