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Dr. Broda Barnes came up with what an ordinary medical thermometer can be used for. Of course its primary function is measuring the temperature of the human body. We need a classic thermometer that is placed in the mouth, or in the armpit. Don’t worry, this is not any hocus-pocus, but there may still be something to the whole thing.
Measuring the temperature of the human body
The human body, if healthy, has a temperature between 36.5°C and 36.8°C. That is the average over long-term observation. If someone has a lower temperature, nothing is wrong. Conversely, a temperature above 37°C may already indicate an emerging illness. And higher temperatures above 38°C are an unmistakable sign that the body is trying to fight some inflammation or a virus that has attacked it. Indeed, high fever is one of the defense mechanisms for dealing with invaders. We, however, will focus on the temperature of a healthy person. The lowest is usually in the morning, and it increases as the day progresses. So for our measurement the best time is immediately after waking up.
What we will actually be determining
Dr. Barnes’s finding concerns the function of the thyroid gland. He noticed that diseases of this organ are related to the body’s temperature. He then began to observe the connections and came to the conclusion that they are connected vessels. If we want to find out how our thyroid gland works, then for 3 days in a row immediately after waking we take the thermometer, bring it down below 35.0°C and measure the temperature in the armpit for 10 minutes.
What the measured values will tell us
If the measured temperature is below 36.5°C, then our thyroid gland has reduced function. You may notice symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, depression, hair loss, and catching every bug easily — know that this may be the cause.
In case the measured values exceed 36.8°C, the thyroid gland’s function is too high, or you may have a virus or some infection in the body. That is why the measurement is repeated for 3 days in a row. A menstrual period or a viral infection can also influence a higher value. It is also true that recently the average human body temperature has been slowly increasing. No one has yet discovered the reasons, so it may happen that you belong to a group of people who have a higher temperature than the measured average and are healthy. However, if you do not feel well, there is nothing easier than to visit your doctor and inform them about the whole problem. It is always better than neglecting something, after which treating your condition will take much longer.