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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Low body temps, thyroid function cause?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Low body temps, thyroid function cause?
by ryn21, Sep 08, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 22 year old male and for the past week I have been checking my body temps throughout the day. I noticed that my body temps in the morning have varied from 96.6-97.2 when i wake up. Now i must mention that i sleep with a fan on, to help me sleep. My body temps rise in the hour after i wake, but only by about .2 to .4 degrees. My temps throughout the day vary between 97.2-98.2 sometimes getting up to 98.6 to 99. But I have not noticed a temp of about 98.6 to 99 in the past week.
I have read of wilson's syndrome and hypothyroidism causing low temps in a person. I know these temps are not normal. I was tested a few weeks back for stds, including HIV, all negative. So I suspect possible thyroid function causing these low temps. As for the symptoms of wilsons syndrome and hypothyroidism, i would say i have been experiencing some of these symptoms for the past year or so. I have also been experiencing hair loss for the past year, which is unexplained and was diagnosed as Telogen effluvium. I have no hairloss in my family so it is odd for me to be losing hair.
Doc, whats your feedback on my low temps? Am i making more out of these temps than i need to be? I am a hypochondriac, constantly worrying about my health, constantly checking anxiety caused symptoms. But who isnt...
Thanks, and sorry for the long story.
I have read of wilson's syndrome and hypothyroidism causing low temps in a person. I know these temps are not normal. I was tested a few weeks back for stds, including HIV, all negative. So I suspect possible thyroid function causing these low temps. As for the symptoms of wilsons syndrome and hypothyroidism, i would say i have been experiencing some of these symptoms for the past year or so. I have also been experiencing hair loss for the past year, which is unexplained and was diagnosed as Telogen effluvium. I have no hairloss in my family so it is odd for me to be losing hair.
Doc, whats your feedback on my low temps? Am i making more out of these temps than i need to be? I am a hypochondriac, constantly worrying about my health, constantly checking anxiety caused symptoms. But who isnt...
Thanks, and sorry for the long story.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 08, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 08, 2005 12:00AM
There will be some individual variation in body temperature. Typically, "mild" hypothermia will be temperatures below 95.
There are some cases of infection that can lead to low temperature - but these options have already been evaluated for.
Hypothyroidism can certainly lead to low temperatures - and this can be easily checked for using a blood test.
Wilson's disease can be evaluated with liver function tests, a blood count and serum ceroloplasmin concentration.
If these diseases are suspected, the tests mentioned can be discussed with your personal physician.
If the tests are non-revealing, the body temperatures can be observed and further testing necessitated if they continue to lower.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
There are some cases of infection that can lead to low temperature - but these options have already been evaluated for.
Hypothyroidism can certainly lead to low temperatures - and this can be easily checked for using a blood test.
Wilson's disease can be evaluated with liver function tests, a blood count and serum ceroloplasmin concentration.
If these diseases are suspected, the tests mentioned can be discussed with your personal physician.
If the tests are non-revealing, the body temperatures can be observed and further testing necessitated if they continue to lower.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
Member Comments (2)
by ryn21, Sep 08, 2005 12:00AM
I would like to add that during the winter cold months, I have noticed that some fingers turn pale and blue and go numb. This happens with any cold weather. Usually only happening to the middle three fingers. This was noticed over the past winter. and they turn blue with short exposure to cold temps. Hypothermia or frost bite would come to mind when hearing about the fingers turning blue, but i wouldnt have to stay outside long, and wouldnt need to be in sub zero temps, to experience this.
by ryn21, Sep 08, 2005 12:00AM
To: Forum-M.D.-KP
What cases of infection can cause low body temps as you have mentioned?
