Do Yourself a Favor: Graph Your Temps
The simplest, cheapest, most accurate way to determine your thyroid status is to take your temperature and graph it. In addition, you'll get a pretty good idea of how your adrenals are doing, as well!
According to thyroid pioneer Dr. Broda Barnes, the most accurate diagnostic for thyroid hormone status is the basal temperature--taken before rising in the morning. Healthy basal temps are 97.8-98.2 F (menstruating women on days 3-5 of the cycle).
Dr. Rind has reported that the daily average temperature is an accurate measure of thyroid status AND of adrenal status. If your temperature is steady but low, you are hypothyroid. If your temperature is erratic, your adrenals are struggling. If your temperature is steady around 98.6, then your thyroid and adrenals seem to be fine. Our experience is that some people with hypo and adrenal fatigue may have what appears to be normal temperatures, so symptoms remain important and labs can be a useful adjunct.
For complete instructions and downloadable graphs for the daily average temperatures,, go to Dr. Rind's website ... normal daytime temps would be steady at 98.6. If it isn't clear enough for you, just ask in the forums and we'll clarify it for you.