Dr. Broda Barnes, M.D. Thyroid Test 

This is a simple, yet very accurate, temperature test which can be used to test your own  thyroid. Basal body temperature is your temperature at rest. Since the early 1940’s Dr.  Barnes used basal body temperature as a guide to determine if there was low thyroid  function. 

A temperature below 97.8°F indicates an underperforming (low) thyroid.  A temperature above 98.2°F indicates an over performing (high) thyroid. 

This test can also be used to monitor any thyroid therapy you may receive. 

Instructions: 

1. The night before testing, shake out a mercury thermometer and place it next to  your bed. Mercury is best but if you don’t have access to such, use a digital  thermometer. 
2. When you wake up in the morning, and before getting up, put the thermometer  under your arm and lie in bed for 10 minutes. If using a digital thermometer, lie in  bed until it beeps. 
3. Record your temperature. 
4. Do this for 5-7 days. Get the average of your recordings. Your average  temperature should read between 97.8°F & 98.2°F. 

**For cycling women, take your temperature during the week of your period. This is  when basal body temperature is most consistent and most accurate when relating to  thyroid function.

The information provided by Optimum Vitality is for informational purposes only and does not  constitute medical advice.