Low temperature: Hello All, On pred. 5mgs for over... - PMRGCAuk

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Low temperature

petros31 profile image
27 Replies

Hello All,

On pred. 5mgs for over 12months. As I am over 90, I am steady and not reducing.

Some of us suffer from 'steroid night sweats'. I just wondered if anyone has occasional body temperatures as low as 35C, but more usually around 36.2. If so, do you do anything about it, or are there any recommendation ?

regards, petros31

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petros31 profile image
petros31
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27 Replies
Travs profile image
Travs

firstly I would check your thermometer, it is possible that your temp is low because of sweating but your core temp should be normal. I have invested in a tympanic thermometer one that shines a light in your ear, that would be the most reliable. But if you have confidence in your reading don't be too quick to blame your meds. How do you feel in yourself ? can you take your blood pressure and pulse ?I work as an out of hours clinician and use a tool called the NEWS2 score to help in my evaluation of patients. If you are interested I will paste a link here.

rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/ou...

For safety though I would say if you are worried I would speak to a clinician, perhaps get an appointment ?

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply toTravs

Many thanks Travs.

I had double checked the temperature on two digital thermometers, which read within 0.2 of each other, so 35 plus 0.2 would be highest.

Thanks for the evaluation project which I shall study with interest. My BP is Ok, still same as 2020 when I was in a post-covid twice daily checkup project. Currently, 3rd and 4th readings identical at 128/59/61, which is OK. I have a f2f appointment mid-week, so hope to get good info.

Many thanks for your info,

Petros31

Travs profile image
Travs in reply topetros31

I only mention it because I have been caught out myself and I should know better being a clinician. There is something known as confirmation bias where we blame something and look for evidence to support our diagnosis, it leads us down a blind alley at best or leads to a miss diagnosis at worse.

My worry was that a low temp could at worse signify cold sepsis, especially in a vulnerable immune suppressed patient. Its very unlikely with you I would say though because if you were septic I very much doubt you would be able to comment here in this group you would be too ill.

This is why we use tools such as NEWS2 and GCS so that we dont miss something important.

Good luck at your appointment.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toTravs

Plus worsen bleeding in response to any trauma I suppose. Very relevant at present with the choice of eating or heating for so many.

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply toTravs

Thanks again Travs for your interesting comment.

I have checked the parameters you have used in the past. I am pleased that they are all OK, with oxygen at 98%, so only the temperature is there to be questionned. PMRpro has just given me new stats to digest to give me re-assurance.

Regards, petros31

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Mine is never above 36.6C and usually less. I have been down to 35.8C overnight. And I'm 20 years younger than you ...

"Older people are unable to regulate their body temperatures to the same degree as young adults because their responses to changes in body temperature are altered. Several published reports suggest that body temperature decreases with advancing age and has a greater variability in older populations."

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/187...

Probably not much you can do about it - except maybe get fatter! ;) But do make sure you are not getting colder if the temperature falls - wrap up warmly and don't get too exposed to low temps and wind.

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply toPMRpro

Hello PMRpro, many thanks for the very wise advice. Yes I used to be 3 stone heavier but understand your advice to keep well wrapped up. I seem to need an extra layer to others

even in today's sunshine

No-one ever said that aging was simple - we learn to be thankful and make the best of it!

Regards and happy weekend, petros31

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply topetros31

My husband was the same - skinny as hell and always cold even in the house! The one positive is that my fuel bill now can't be as bad as they were before! He had the central heating in his room on full blast and when it was off for the summer (dictated by the condominium) he had an electric radiator on 24/7 in his room. I couldn't go in there dressed as I dress for the rest of the flat.

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply toPMRpro

Thanks again for the reference. This is not only very interesting but wonderfully re-assuring.

All good wishes, petros31

piglette profile image
piglette

When we were having to have our temperature taken when we went anywhere, my temperature was around the 35 degree mark, when I went swimming for example. The girl would just say it was fine, presumably because they were looking for a high temperature and Covid. I feel fine, my brother thinks that I was meant for a different planet, presumably a colder one! My hairdresser did say one person who came in had a temperature of 34 degrees.

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply topiglette

Indeed, the checkers at the door were happy if everything was not more than 37C. But, for us colder people, 37C is red-hot fever, so the check is only worthwhile for "normal persons". It does seem to be important to include your normal temperature zone in your steroid card.

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails

I’m a nightmare - 35’C is not uncommon for me & have made several places check their thermometer 😂I’m unusually around 36’ on a good day - it’s always worth having a baseline.

Regards

MrsN

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply toMrsNails

So pleased to hear that there are "35C"s going about their lives in good spirits. Looking at Google could make you think of being in a potentially dangerous situation.Three cheers for our forum where we learn important new facts every day.

ClarkB profile image
ClarkB in reply topetros31

I have always been told by my GPs that this lower temperature is normal for older people, and accepted that. I bought the same , or very similar ear thermometer that my doctor uses!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toClarkB

Not that they are reliable! My husband's medical physics department did a study before their trust introduced them and warned it was a poor choice. Bit of wax, pointed in not quite the correct direction and the temp it is supposed to be measuring, isn't ...

ClarkB profile image
ClarkB in reply toPMRpro

Probably better to stick with the one under the tongue then!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toClarkB

I do!

KerryIreland profile image
KerryIreland in reply topetros31

I certainly echo that! (Petros31 “3 cheers for this forum, learning new facts every day “)

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toMrsNails

Perhaps we were both meant for another planet!

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply topiglette

😂

ClarkB profile image
ClarkB in reply toMrsNails

Me too. Told at my GP practice that lower temperatures are normal for older people. Accepted that!

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toClarkB

I had a low temperature in my twenties. Dr Google says ‘Normal body temperature does not change much with ageing’. I think doctors say these things just to make us feel everything is OK.

ClarkB profile image
ClarkB in reply topiglette

Mine goes up and down like a yo yo , but I always tend to see if it’s at Covid level and if it is lower, another sigh of relief!

Nextoneplease profile image
Nextoneplease

Me too - I’m usually around 35.6 and certainly can’t blame it on being skinny! Thanks for the info everyone x

Pixix profile image
Pixix

Yes…36 norm for me, but often 35. Makes it difficult for hospital staff to understand that at 37/38 I have a fever that may need treating, as they call that norm, or very slightly elevated!

Marilyn1943 profile image
Marilyn1943

My temperature often falls to 34 .6 usually after exercise like going for paper in morning. That takes about 10 mins. I’ve queried it and had blood tests (especially low thyroid) but everything came back ok and I feel alright, so now I don’t check anymore. My normal temperature is around 35. Hope this helps.

petros31 profile image
petros31 in reply toMarilyn1943

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate all the responses detailing so many different experiences. They certainly prove that one size doesn't fit everyone.

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