Low body temperature

[lightbeam]

If you google low body temperature, loads of results come up that state they are indicative of hypothryroidism.

I guess specialists base diagnoses on blood results only. But is temperature a useful measure?

[applesandoranges21]

According to Dr P it is yes.

[applesandoranges21]

Hi according to Dr P doing the basal temperature in the morning is a reliable guide.

[Marz]

Looking at clinical signs and symptoms is the correct but old fashioned way of doctoring. Now there is a pill and a potion for everything by looking at a computer screen !

Check out Dr Broda Barnes with whom Dr Peatfield trained at some point ...

[silverfox7]

I've taken my basal temperature for years but struggling a bit with it at the moment as broken my wrist and got a slightly raised temperature at the moment because of that I think but it's now becoming more reliable again. Getting a reliable thermometer can be a problem though. Looked at loads of mercury Ines some of which aren't mercury anymore (!) and even some expensive ones that some say aren't reliable either but I've used a digital one for years which many years ago I checked with a mercury one but I've found when they bleep to say reached their correct temperature then it isn't but if I leave it in till it can't detect anymore change and switches itself off then I can rely on it. I'm told pet ones are better but very fragile and not found one yet.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to silverfox7]

Try this one: amazon.co.uk/Geratherm-clas...

[SilverAvocado in reply to silverfox7]

I have the same worry about thermometers not being accurate enough. I recently bough this one recommended on Dr Myhill's website, and it's the best digital one I've used. Takes a minute or two to claim it has a reading

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0026R...

I will try Angel of the North's suggestion, too, though.

[phoenix23002 in reply to silverfox7]

Old fashioned mercury thermometers can be had thru some vet supply companies here in the US. And they are very affordable. I grew up with mercury thermometers and never had one to break on us or be a danger. The mercury thermometers are supposed to be more accurate than digital ones. I understand that if digital ones are used, you have to hold them for 6 - 7 minutes in order to get anywhere near an accurate reading.

[silverfox7 in reply to phoenix23002]

Yes I do the same with digital and they correspond with the mercury I once had. Can't find that anymore and suspect cleaners broke it and didn't tell me. I now check new digitals with one the same as my mercury.

Also recently have spotted complains about ones I'd heard were trusted! Or comments that nearly right!

[Bob00752]

I’ve been taking my temperature regularily since an increase in levothyroxine at the end of November. It seems to be around 36.2 and hasn’t changed with the dosage increase (from 75 to 100). My mother always complained that both myself and my father were always at least one degree (Fahrenheit) under the then norm of 98.4 (36.9 C), so 60 years later and on thyroid medication it is still .7 C or 1.2 F.... not much change then!

I’ll let you know if my usual temperature changes.

[sue_b in reply to Bob00752]

Defo, you need more thyroid meds

Levo rarely got my body above 36 degrees. Equivalent dose of NDT ( containing t3, of course) has my morning temp at 36.3 but average over the day is 36.6. Still a bit low and I am aiming for higher.

[Bob00752 in reply to Bob00752]

I found that my digital thermometer takes longer than the timer to come to a steady state. I now wait 4 minutes before taking the reading and it has settled on 36.6 after the levo increase.

[jamesal0]

Hi LightB

Yes, body temp is the best way I found to fine tune NDT. If I'm low I take an extra 30mg that day. If you're on one of the Levoxin derivatives, and low, my guess is you need more.

J

[sue_b]

Almost every one, who isn't an NHS Endocrinologist ( and some that are, perhaps? )but specialises in thyroid issues will say that Temperature is one of the prime tools for assessing thyroid function.

On another note and mentioned here because body temp is under discussion, I have just found a link to a ring that measures body temp and other variables on a 24/7 basis called the Oura ring. Apparently there are other similar products too.

I hope some of this is of help

[SilverAvocado in reply to sue_b]

Hehe, anyone who isn't an NHS Endocrinologist

[Summer64]

Since having my thyroid destroyed my temperature never goes above 36 even when I feel OK. Since stopping my T3 my temperature has been hovering between 32.5 and 35. Now I'm back on T3 it's up to 36 most of the time so I'm sure there is a connection.

[lightbeam]

Wow thank you all so much for your comments and thoughts. I have always had a low BBT. I have years of measurements because I tracked for fertility. Fascinated by the Oura ring. Thank you everyone - it's wonderful to be connected to you, and all your knowledge.

[LAHs]

Yes, basically it is supposed to be a very important indicator of your basic metabolism. I consider myself pretty fit and on an optimal dose of NDT but my body temp is more than a full degree Fahrenheit below normal. My normal should be 98.4, I am 97.1 degs F (in UK speak that's normal = 36.9 and I am as low as 36.1 degs C. I cannot bump my Thyroid meds any higher because it raises my blood pressure. So, I'll just stay cold but wear a swearer I guess.

Thanks for the info about keeping a digital thermometer in longer that the beep time, I must try that. And Summer_64, yes, T3 will definitely raise your temp., your experiment confirmed how it should go.

[lightbeam in reply to LAHs]

Hi LAHs, yes me too. Recently BBTs been in the 35s. Horrible.

[FoggyMoggy]

The problem is that there is a wide range of what is considered 'normal'. I have Googled body temperature a lot in the past and found nothing definitive. There was some test that you needed to do to see if it fluctuated by a degree which was indicative of adrenal problems (I think). I'm relying on unreliable memory here - I think it was in STTM.

I have an old mercury thermometer but it's not as easy to read as a digital one. I have two digital ones too