Hypo and body temperature, why does it matter?

[Thyroidseb]

I occasionally read bits about people regularly taking their temperature and am always a little perplexed as to why and what is indicated by it. I took it for a while out if curiosity and mine was 36.8-37.0 upon waking. I'm just curios really

[HarryE]

If your metabolism isn't working properly, as in hypo, your body is unable to maintain your proper body temperature. So if it is consistently under where it should be, it is a useful diagnostic tool. Unless, of course, you are a doctor, in which case it doesn't matter a stuff!!

[Hennerton in reply to HarryE]

You are so right. I recently told my GP and a new endo about my consistent 36 c temp and each one gazed at me with a glazed expression and changed the subject. Have you had the same reaction?

[Aurealis in reply to Hennerton]

Better a glazed expression than a dose adjustment ! My endo reduced my dose when I told him my hypo symptoms - guess what? I became really poorly and more hypo Even GP expressed surprise when he read letter

[Hidden in reply to Aurealis]

Do you think they have really good tutors teaching the 'surprise' response?

or maybe they electrocute the chairs due to most falling asleep during the Thyroid lecture....

I find 'surprise' is usually followed by normal blood tests.....

[Aurealis in reply to Hidden]

Oo I never considered that it was mock surprise, thanks for this, I'm being too trusting!

[Hidden in reply to Aurealis]

Apologies for being a tad cynical!

As for info on low temperature I recommend reading Broda Barnes J

[HarryE in reply to Hennerton]

I am so sick of glazed expressions at the moment I haven't even raised the subject. But my temperature has crept up by 0.1 or 0.2 since I have started taking all my supplements and nutri thyroid. I will keep monitoring now I have started proper NDT

[GrittyReads in reply to HarryE]

Hi Harry E, Sorry if you have already explained this elsewhere, but can you spell out your supplement regime please, and say something about nutrithyroid and NDT? Also suggestions for other things to read on diet and 'heal thyself' gratefully received. I'm new-ish on the Thyroid site. I've been checking for a few days in relation to PBC since I realised my GP has not been checking my thyroid fully - including antibodies test - when I have my annual liver function tests. I'm beginning to wonder if symptoms I've had over last 5 years are hypo or Hashis, rather than perimenopause/vertigo/migraine/naturally cold etc., etc. I'm sick of being regarded as 'worried well' / hypochondriac' but from what I've read on here my TSH isn't high enough for them to do anything, so I want to start managing my diet.

[HarryE in reply to GrittyReads]

I'll send you a PM, rather than taking over this thread. Everyone else is probably cheesed off with my saga!

[redcatstar in reply to HarryE]

Hi pls let me know as well

[GrittyReads in reply to HarryE]

Hi Harry E, So, so sorry. I had a swamp of emails to delete (mainly Health Unlocked) and I got rid of yours on diet etc by mistake. Can you please resend. Thanks

[HarryE in reply to GrittyReads]

It was a PM so should still be in your messages folder within Health Unlocked itself. The email is just to let you know you have had a reply.

[GrittyReads in reply to GrittyReads]

Thanks, didn't know that - have found ... again!

[Everdean in reply to HarryE]

Please would you forward to me as well. Thank you

[linnet2014 in reply to HarryE]

Any chance of sending me this info too please !

[HarryE in reply to linnet2014]

Sent on to you all. I'm really no expert, it's just my steps, hopefully on the way to recovery!

[lucylocks in reply to HarryE]

Hi HarryE

Please would you forward the info. to me.

Many thanks browny

[shaws Administrator]

Before the thyroid gland blood tests came in this was usually the method plus clinical symptoms:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Hidden]

As Harry says - low core body temperature is insignificant to some (who don't experience it).

Link recently posted by Clutter - read down to the temperature bit....

hormonesmatter.com/thyroid-...

That is, temperature change evoked the cardiovascular effects. When animals with the defunct thyroid receptor in the anterior hypothalamus were exposed to cold, heart rate and blood pressure skyrocketed. In conditions where the ambient temperature was normal, only minimal tachycardia was observed. Since hypothyroid patients have difficulty maintaining core body heat, finding an association between cold exposure and impaired cardiovascular functioning, was particularly interesting.

[Jackie]

Hi Temp is lower first thing. it can be an indication of thyroid disease. Howe er, not for every one. My temp is 35.5 unless v ery ill, when Hypo or hyper.

Jackie

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Temperature is most definitely directly affected by thyroid hormone levels.

What is much more difficult is to categorically identify a specific temperature, or a specific reading with a problem. There are several reasons for this.

The precise equipment and technique you use to measure your temperature will affect the measurement. So your 36.8 might have been 36.4 or 37.2 if measured in a different way. For example, a now-banned mercury thermometer or an ear thermometer. Or even between two devices that are supposedly the same. Similarly, temperature is affected by time of day, and what you have been doing, and any infection or inflammation you may have.

So, temperature taken consistently and carefully can be an indicator. But when quite close to standard body temperature you have to take lots of other factors into account. When well away from expected body temperature, thyroid quickly becomes the single most likely explanation for low temperature.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human...

Many chemical reactions in the body only occur at the required rate within a very small temperature range. So numerous things don't work right when the temperature is wrong.

Rod

[HarryE in reply to helvella]

Very interesting Rod, thanks. I've been taking mine in exactly the same way with the same thermometer so I am tracking changes really, to try and see a pattern. But when I first took it weeks ago, it was 35.6 on waking.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HarryE]

I think doing that (same time, same technique, and carefully) does have potential. And very definitely worth plotting (e.g. in a spreadsheet, create a graph) - together with notes of anything else that might be affecting things.

Some people seem to think that your 35.6 would equate to their 35.6 - but with a different technique/technology that might very well not be the case!

Rod

[HarryE in reply to helvella]

Indeed. Much like the fact that no one, not even a god-like endo, knows what TSH is 'normal' for you! :-\

[sheenah]

I took mine before getting out of bed with a brand new digital thermometer for a month before seeing my lovely Winchester Doc, and it was consistently low. I was so cold one morning my husband brought me a hot water bottle. An hour later when I actually felt warm and cosy, with my feet on a very hot water bottle, I took the temp again - it was lower!!!! We must emphasise that taking your temp before getting out of bed in the morning is the BASAL temperature. XX

[Eurasian-Babe]

This is really interesting - some very helpful comments here! Having spent the entire 51 years of my life feeling cold, miserable, lethargic etc. etc. & experienced multiple "covert" symptoms that no-one had thought to put together, now that I am on Levo I feel as though the sun is shining every day!

[HarryE in reply to Eurasian-Babe]

That's great! Such a shame it takes so long though

[Eurasian-Babe in reply to HarryE]

As I'm a "glass half full" kind of girl - I'd say, better late than never!!

[sallypg]

Mine is consistently 36.5 on waking and 36 when I go to sleep. Dr Peatfield says this is a case of primary adrenal insufficiency and secondary hypothyroidism, that is my adrenals essentially are the problem and have affected my thyroid gland. However, seems that getting adrenals right is a lot harder than swallowing a tablet everyday.

[stockman27]

Hello, your body temperature is a good sign on how your body is performing. We are by nature warm blooded mammals and our adverage temperature should be around 98.6 F 37C. For some thyroid patients their temperature is low ,mine for instance is 97 and sometime as low as 96. 5, meaning I am sluggish in the morning until I warm up. It a bit like a lizard sitting in the sun waiting for the body temp to reach a correct level. So for a low temp the theory is hypo thyroid and for high temp hyper thyroid.

Cheers

John

[desperation]

Goodness. My temperature is around the 34 mark most mornings. 33.8 to 34.2. It does rise later in the day but never gets higher than 35.2. I understand that taking your temperature under your armpit can give a lower than normal reading of up to 1.5 degrees,

My GP does not associate my low temperature with thyroid problems but seems to think it is something more serious. No tests for anything though! Dr Skinner laughed at this as he said it was common for people with thyroid issues to have a low temperature.

I have recently started taking my temperature again prior to seeing an endo so that I can be armed with as much info as possible.

[sbrady]

God dam it! I have spent years of my life thinking its all in my head. Never told by Endo that there are side effects, confusion, night sweats and day ones, weight gain/loss although Ive never lost. Depression, constipation AND no matter what , hyper or hypo! THE CONSTANT TIREDNESS. I was told take the tablets then the operation and all will be well. If I ever mentioned I wasnt feeling good Id get that look of surprise "your levels look fine" go home

[sbrady]

I dont think they know properly how to treat it? Here or in the States ?

[HarryE in reply to sbrady]

It seems not! I simply don't understand how it can be so bloody obvious to all of us and such a mystery to the so-called medical profession

[scousegirl in reply to HarryE]

couldn't agree more,perfect scenario for conspiracy theorists!! I can't work out why docs & endos find it so difficult,.they should come on this site.I am on T3 now,thank goodness & feel loads better but think I am still low.Due for blood test so we shall see.You do have to keep on pushing for what you need.I didn't push for years & so regret the wasted years.Don't let it happen to you. x