Thermometer accuracy

[Andie222]

Hello

I have been trying to take my temperature on a regular basis but have zero confidence in the accuracy of my thermometer. I can take 4 consecutive readings and they will all be different and vary by up to 1 degree. It is a new ear thermometer (cost £20) which I thought would be better than the old fashioned ones that go under your tongue or armpit and take quite a while to get a reading.

What type of thermometer do others use and would you recommend it?

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

I bought one of those and I don't think it is reliable... I'm pretty sure in the instructions it says not to do rapid repeat testing as it can give odd readings, but if you don't believe the first reading...hardly fills you with confidence! It seems better on skin than in ear but rather defeats the idea

[Andie222 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks for your reply, when you say ‘on skin’ do you mean just holding it against your skin? I wouldn’t know what temperature was normal externally and it would vary across my body anyway, so I don’t think that is an option.

When I do repeat testing, I always wait the 30 seconds or so for the previous reading to clear.

I thought as the doctors use this type that it would be reliable. Maybe they have more expensive machines.

[Maztee in reply to Andie222]

I take mine regularly with the standard under the tongue digital thermometer. I've found that it beeps to be read pretty quickly but I keep it there for at least 2 minutes till it's stable (trial and error) and it often reads a couple of points higher when left in for longer.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Andie222]

Yes, I thought they were supposed to be the better option, the one I have has a top on for use on your forehead and you remove this for the ear

[humanbean]

I'm lucky. I have a mercury thermometer that I bought as a student over 40 years ago. They are impossible to buy now.