Low Body Temperature and Hypothyroidism? 35.5 C is the OK?

[Stanleydoggy]

Hi All

I’ve joined the site recently and posted a couple of times. Last night I hunted out my thermometer in case I have to check my temp for the coronavirus. I’ve never taken my temp in my life before but to test it I took it twice last night as I’d been feeling particularly cold and spent all day with a hot water bottle under a blanket unable to function as I have to do a lot now I am on levothyroxine. It was 35.5 which looking at the internet is about .5 under the bottom of what is considered ‘normal’. This morning on waking I feel warmer and a bit better generally but it is still only 35.7 C. I’ve been advised that due to my horrible fibromyalgia symptoms and BT results my T4 - T3 conversion is poor. Could this be another symptom/ indicative that my conversation is poor. Is anyone else like this or am I just weird?

[LivingWithHT]

Did you take it orally (placing the metal tip of the thermometer under the tongue and keeping your mouth closed around it?) Other than taking it rectally (which I’m sure many of us don’t fancy doing), taking your body temperature orally usually yields the most accurate results.

With that being said, it is very normal for people with hypothyroidism to have a lower than average body temperature. Us hypos should be striving to be as near as 37C as we can, some people may find their optimal body temp at exactly 37C, some a little under. I have a lower than average body temp and I am hypo and also have poor conversion of T4 to T3. It means we have not yet reached our optimal dose of medication (and perhaps even still don’t have optimal vitamin and mineral levels.)

[Stanleydoggy in reply to LivingWithHT]

Thank you for your response. that is reassuring. I am currently trying to optimise my vitamin levels and trying to persuade my doctor to increase my levothyroxine.

[LivingWithHT in reply to Stanleydoggy]

If you’re not already, consider taking daily supplements that help boost T4 to T3 conversion like selenium, magnesium and zinc.

[Stanleydoggy in reply to LivingWithHT]

Thanks. I’ve started with D3 and K and B12. Have just sent for my magnesium and zinc and started doing spinach and green powder smoothies for my folate etc.

[BadHare]

I use a digital thermometer & bought a second one as I thought the first was faulty.

I can sometimes get my temperature up to 36 without external heat, & it will go a little higher after basking in from of my infrared lamp for an hour with my legs wrapped up. Despite the recommended supplements & medication, I don’t think it will reach normal as my normal. However, I can now self heat (my fabulous new superpower) & can feel hot in other people’s houses which only happened once in the home of a hypo.

Make sure your supplements are optimal, your diet & gut health is as good as you can achieve. If this doesn’t work, consider trying natural hormones (work best for me re body temperature) then & T3 if you still don’t feel as right as you’d like to.

[Stanleydoggy in reply to BadHare]

Thanks BadHare for your response. I am proper poorly at the moment and the advice and reassurance of others here is helping me a lot. I didn’t realise how low my body temp was - got a shock. I managed to get it up to 36.2 straight after a 45 minute yoga session but I can feel it has gone straight down again as my tummy is cold again.

[BadHare in reply to Stanleydoggy]

You're welcome, Stanleydoggy !

Keep yourself wrapped up & keep a hot flask/water bottle about your person. Best to avoid public places etc, as advised so as not to catch anything nasty.

[Stanleydoggy in reply to BadHare]

Keep well and safe yourself.

[BadHare in reply to Stanleydoggy]

Thanks!