Pulse
Pulse is the heartbeat rate felt at the wrist or neck. Resting pulse, with morning temperature, is a practical marker of metabolic rate and thyroid effect on this site.
Reading it
[edit]Healthy groups average near 85 beats per minute at rest in the cited compilation. Lower averages in "normal" populations reflect hypothyroid compensation with high adrenaline, or true low metabolic rate.[1]
The resting heart rate helps to interpret the temperature. In a cool environment, the temperature of the extremities is sometimes a better indicator than the oral or eardrum temperature.
Measure before and after breakfast when tracking patterns. Electric blankets invalidate temperature; pulse still informs. See Basal temperature, Hypothyroidism, Adrenaline.
Practice
[edit]Chart morning pulse and temperature for two weeks when changing food or thyroid dose. Context beats any single reading.
Drugs that force a lower pulse without raising metabolic energy trade a number for function. See Heart, Thyroid, Roadmap/02 - Self diagnosis & markers.