Lower Than Average Body Temperature? Posted: 05-28-07 09:56am
The supposedly normal body temperature is
98.7, mine is 96 to 97. I am a 52 year
old male and have always been hot natured
or giving off good body heat as
girlfriends and family have told me.
I seem more bothered by warm temperatures
than others. Is my body temperature a
factor and is it an indicator of any thing
else?
|
Becky
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 6225 Location: London, England
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Posted: 05-29-07 03:08am
i found this fantastic Q and a on a
doctors website.
question:
For the last several days, my body
temperature has been around 96.9 F —
according to an oral thermometer. Should I
be concerned about it being too low?
- Betty / Virginia
Answer:
Probably not. Although normal human body
temperature is usually stated as 98.6 F
(37 C) orally, it actually ranges from
97.5 to 98.8 F (36.4 to 37.1 C). Some
people have temperatures in the 96 F range
and feel fine. Your body temperature is
not considered dangerously low until it is
below 95 F (35 C).
Mild reductions in body temperature are
often temporary and don't indicate a
serious problem or condition. For example,
your temperature normally is lower in the
morning than in the evening. The most
common cause of a lower-than-normal body
temperature is exposure to cold. But
occasionally, a low body temperature can
indicate an underlying problem or
condition, such as:
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Diabetes
Adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison's
disease)
Hypothalamus dysfunction
Liver failure
Kidney failure
Widespread infection (sepsis)
Excessive use of alcohol or illicit drugs
A side effect of certain medications, such
as phenothiazines, barbiturates, opiates,
clonidine, lithium and benzodiazepines
If your low body temperature persists,
consult your doctor.
