Basal body temperature

[Thyroiditis86]

Hi all. Has anybody done the Basal body temperature test? I can't buy a mercury Thermometer anywhere so am wondering has anybody ever done it with a digital thermometer? Many thanks.

[EbonyEvans]

I bought a 99p one from the 99p store. Kids one. Works fine. )tested on hubby! against a mercury one. Easier to read too.

[Thyroiditis86 in reply to EbonyEvans]

You used a digital one? What was your reading? X

[EbonyEvans in reply to Thyroiditis86]

Hi,

I range from 35.9-36.7

His was almost consistent. Maybe buy a few and test them out if you’re worried about consistency.

Ebony xox

[Thyroiditis86 in reply to EbonyEvans]

Mine on a digital is 45.9 - do you know if that falls within a certain range when it comes to hypothyroidism?

[tcpace in reply to Thyroiditis86]

If it was really 45.9, I'd get a new thermometer!! Normal is supposed to be about 37. If it was really 45.9, I'm very surprised you're still around to report it. Digital thermometers are normally fine by the way.

[startagaingirl]

Hi - I believe Mercury ones have been banned in EU on safety grounds as Mercury is extremely poisonous both for individual and environment. You can, however, still buy liquid thermometers - red liquid - but mixed reviews. I use a digital one. End of the day it is not the exact number that matters, as we all have a personal set-point and natural variation through time and day anyway. I would watch relative temperature increase or decrease.

[Thyroiditis86 in reply to startagaingirl]

Thank you. Did you do the test also?

[startagaingirl in reply to Thyroiditis86]

Not formally, I knew I was hypo and just kept an eye on temperature for interest as part of noting progress and success of treatment.

[Thyroiditis86 in reply to startagaingirl]

Do you know what 45.9 indicates on an electronic thermometer? Is this considered hypo range?

[startagaingirl in reply to Thyroiditis86]

Is that a typo - 45.9? 35.9 would normally be low and consistent with potential hypo, but I wouldn't use temperature for diagnosis as there is such a variation of normal between individuals.

If it actually shows 45.9 then ditch the thermometer, if that was actually your temperature you would be extremely seriously ill and possibly critical - I doubt you would be posting anything lol!!!

[BadHare in reply to startagaingirl]

36.7 degrees celcius is normal temperature. I imagine 45 would mean you would be dead.

Mine over 4 months, first thing in the morning was almost consistently 35.1, occasionally as high as 35.3. After starting thyroid hormones, it's usually 36.3, & occasionally as high as normal.

[Shibby]

Hey I do this with a digital thermometer. Bought a cheap one and it seemed to give me really low readings: 34.9 etc so bought a infrared ear thermometer and my readings have been higher but vary between 35.4-36.4 now. I feel its more reliable than the other one.

[BadHare]

I used two different cheap digital thermometers, Both seemed to work ok.

[silverfox7]

I have taken my basal temperature almost all of my thyroid life with a digital thermometer and learnt a few things along the way! I also had a Mercury thermometer in those early days so I was able to compare. Following the instructions for the digital was useless! So I started ignoring the correct temperature was when it bleeped but left it until the thermometer switched off and that gave me an accurate reading. One day my Mercury thermometer disappeared! I couldn't thing of a reason the Borrowers may have had for it so could only conclude that the cleaners had dropped it so nothing to check with anymore so then I always tended to have more that one digital and always checked that the new one to the fold was same as the others. This last few weeks have been taking Tramadol following a nasty fall and my temperature has increased! But have found a comment that that this is a side affect so hoping that this increase will drop back when my life is back to normal!