Lowered body temperature, diagnostic for hypoth... - Thyroid UK

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Lowered body temperature, diagnostic for hypothyroid?

No_fixed_abode profile image
7 Replies

Hi

Periodically my body temperature drops into the range 35.4C to 36.5C. This can be caused by being in a cold temperature and not being able to get warm, or it can just happen. I think there may be an association with eating, it often seems to happen after lunch. It can also happen an hour or 2 after exercise.

Is this kind of fall in body temperature diagnostic for hypothyroid, or are there other conditions which may cause this?

There are conditions I have found which list temperature as a symptom, but it is usually raised, or, on follow up I find no specific data on the temperature effects of the condition (ie B12d).

I also struggle to sense correctly if my body temperature is hot or cold, often my partner disagrees with what I am feeling. ie I feel cold, she tells me I am radiating heat. Temperature stability seems to be an issue, I feel cold, I wrap warmer, suddenly I am sweating. Take off extra layer and again I am cold.

Bob

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7 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Is this kind of fall in body temperature diagnostic for hypothyroid,

You can't diagnose hypothyroidism on low temperature alone. If you want to know if you are hypothyroid, you'll need to do a thyroid function test which includes

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

If GP wont do them, then do a private test with one of our recommended labs, most popular are Medichecks and Blue Horizon

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/p...

Check through their thyroid test bundles.

To include the tests listed above, choose

Medichecks Thyroid Check PLUS

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS SIX

If you want to include the important vitamins/minerals (always useful) then choose

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN

All these tests can be done by fingerprick, or for an extra cost for phlebotomy you can choose venous blood draw.

With Medichecks use code THYROIDUK for 10% discount on any test not on special offer.

Post results, including reference ranges, on the forum for interpretation and suggestions.

No_fixed_abode profile image
No_fixed_abode in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks

OK, problem is my TSH level is considered normal @ 2.8 However, having just read this:

"Another interesting observation: Your serum Free T4 abruptly rises by about 20% when you fast for 12 or more hours. In clinical practice, many patients actually fast for 12 or more hours because they also have their blood drawn for cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose level. This increase in Free T4 is misleading in the sense that it does not truly reflect what happens on a daily basis when you do not fast. You may actually be low in Free T4, but fasting will bring Free T4 in to the normal range. The reason for this abrupt increase in Free T4 after fasting is as follows: Fasting causes a decrease in the peripheral T4 to T3 conversion which causes a transient build-up of Free T4." (from "Hypothyroidism And Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: A Groundbreaking, Scientific And Practical Treatment Approach" by Sarfraz Zaidi MD)

Since I am diabetic, this test was done fasted, probably a period of 18 hours so a retest when not fasted may be called for. And if I understand this correctly, it will bring down my TSH.

I ask the above question more because I want to see other conditions that may cause temperature depression, then I can evaluate whether their symptomolgy is a better fit to me before I jump on it being hypothyroid and all the battles that will ensue (I have 2 daughters, one diagnosed, the other trying to get a diagnosis, I am fully aware of the problems they have had and are having with the NHS).

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to No_fixed_abode

Both daughters are hypothyroid? Or both are diabetic?

If hypothyroid it's likely autoimmune thyroid disease which is diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Important to test BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

No_fixed_abode profile image
No_fixed_abode in reply to SlowDragon

Probably both are hypothyroid, one is diagnosed and on levo, the other has most of the symptoms, TSH apx 4.8 and is trying to get a therapeutic trial of levo. The first had a huge struggle to be diagnossed as here TSH was in the same range, but is now so much better with treatment.

Diagnosis for diabetes is an easy one ;-)

Yes, just been reading about the antibodies, test is now on my bucket list...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to No_fixed_abode

Best to get your daughters full Thyroid including antibodies and vitamin testing too

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As you have B12 injections is your folate being tested?

Vitamin D and ferritin need testing too

No_fixed_abode profile image
No_fixed_abode in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks, yes, Folate being supplemented, test was fairly mid range. Iron/ferritin ok also

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