Is it dangerous to have low temperatures of 35.2 degs?

[Helcaster]

I'm struggling with hypothyroid symptoms since Nature Throid made me ill again. I'm finding it very hard to sleep, so around 3 am I took my temperature and it was 35.2degs. I then read you are hypothermic and need medical assistance if it drops to 35degs and below. I got out of bed, had a hot drink, took a T3 sublingually and watched a film for a couple of hours. I had to put on a long sleeve nightie and have an extra blanket on my bed, I did wake up warmer at 36.3degs.

[041051]

My temperature was 35.2 a couple of days ago but I assumed that as my normal temperature is 36 it would have to be nearer 34 to be dangerous. However, I took an extra 50 mcg tablet at lunch time the next day and it had returned to 36 yesterday. I actually have a phone appointment booked with my G.P for Monday about something else so I'm going to take an extra 50 mcg on alternate days and if necessary I will speak to the doctor about my thyroid situation instead.

[Helcaster in reply to 041051]

Hello, thank you for your reply. I had maintained a temperature on or nearly 37degs for a few years now. I'm waiting for a new NDT to arrive as I've gone downhill very fast on the new 3grain dose of Nature Throid. So it's a big drop for me. My balance was really off my speech not very clear, and I've been having problems with thinking clearly. My feet and hands are painful and swollen again, and horrendous body pain. When my temperature dropped this much I looked at the NHS site under hypothermia, and it's classed as 35degs and below. I was actually quite worried about going to bed again last night. I do have some T3 and I took it sublingually this time and managed to get my temperatures up to the mid 36's so a big improvement.

I hope you feel improved on your higher dose. Thanks again for replying.

[041051 in reply to Helcaster]

I did have other symptoms too. I was really cold and I struggled to speak coherently sometimes. I will have to mention it to the doctor because if I continue with taking a higher dose on alternate days, I will run out of Thyroxine before I can reorder. I also think that I should check on how low my temperature should go before I seek help. Good luck

[Helcaster in reply to 041051]

You don't sound like you're sufficiently treated, I hope you can get your rise in meds with the support of your doctor, I know this can be a battle. Might be a good idea to get a private test and see where your FT4's and FT3's are. My T3 didn't rise on Levothyroxine and I got up to a 200mcg dose, my temperatures didn't rise either and I felt terrible.

[041051 in reply to Helcaster]

I recently changed surgery so I'm still finding my feet a bit. I do have a named G.P. and I have had a couple of phone calls regarding other matters and he seems to be ready to listen. I was also told that I couldn't have my B12 injection but when I questioned this the decision was reversed and I had it in June. I'm hoping I can have a conversation and hopefully a blood test for all aspects. I have been on 150 mcg for quite a few years now but I did have a "blip" about six years ago. I was sent to see the consultant who increased it to 200 mcg for a while but then it was reduced back down to 150 mcg. I will consider getting a private test if I'm not happy after I have spoken to the doctor.

[Helcaster in reply to 041051]

Why was your dose reduced? I always take some morning temperatures with me before I get out of bed. One of the ways I got diagnosed 9 years ago.

The dosages of levo are much smaller now thanks to the TSH test. They used to be between 200-400 mcg I've read. Makes sense to dose until you get rid of symptoms.

I do my own B12 injections, I got the practice nurse to teach me. I live in a rural area and it's a 16 mile round journey so I prefer to do it at home. I have interstitial cystitis and the injections of hydro gave me 5 days of bladder pain and spasms. I buy methylcobalamin, needles and syringes. You can't get methylcobalamin on the NHS anyway. I've found I can't go more than 10 days between injections.

I hope you doctor listens to you. It might be worth taking a ticked list of symptoms from the Thyroid UK site. It's interesting to see the reaction. It's quite clear doctor's don't know the physical symptoms.

Finger's crossed you get a higher dose.

[041051 in reply to Helcaster]

I was first diagnosed with PA 43 years ago and in those days you were expected to do your own injections. We used glass syringes and larger needles than they do now. I think it was the 1980's when it was decided that needles need to be disposed of more carefully and having syringes in the house wasn't a good idea. When I was first diagnosed with thyroid problems (1981) I had Graves disease. This was rectified after about 5 years and I didn't take any medication for about 10 years. It then became under active although I had to wait until there was a locum doctor at the surgery to get any treatment (he had been my mums g.p. for years before he retired). My thyroxine medication was gradually increased but some years ago my blood tests showed that 150 mcg wasn't enough and I was sent to see the consultant. She suggested that I take the medication at night and that I increase it to 200 mcg. I assume that taking it at night worked and that my blood tests indicated that I could reduce the medication again.

I will certainly complete the check list and thank you for suggesting it

[Helcaster in reply to 041051]

One thing my doctor gave me was a sharps bin, it's very full now! I like to control when I have an injection and there's no way I could wait 3 months.

You have such a long history of thyroid problems, after this time I suppose changing doses can be expected. It's good taking levo at night worked for you. You must know when you're on the dose that suits you.

I really hope you get what you need from your doctor.

[041051 in reply to Helcaster]

Hello again. Just a quick update. I spoke to my G.P. on Monday and he arranged a blood test for Wednesday. I've had a text this morning to say that as I suspected, my thyroid result shows that I need to increase my thyroixine and he is sending a prescription for 25 mcg to my pharmacy. He wants me to take the increased amount for 2 months and then have another blood test. He also said that if I start having symptoms of over active thyroid I should contact the surgery immediately.

[Helcaster in reply to 041051]

You were right then, you did need this! I'm so pleased for you, at least you didn't get the usual battle to up your dose.

I really hope you feel a lot better at the higher dose.

[041051 in reply to Helcaster]

Thank you, it might also explain why my blood sugars were slightly raised when I had a blood test at the beginning of June.