Low body temp

Question

Hi all, Very interesting topic. I'm a 48 year old male and until recently had a normal temp of 98-99 degrees. I have always kept the heat (in winter months) in my home at 68/days and 66 at night. This past winter I've been extremely cold. I have to keep the room I'm in at 75 and wear a sweat jacket most of the time. My "normal" body temp is around 97.0 in these conditions and a short trip outdoors shows a temp. (mouth and ear) of 94.6 - 95.0 F. I am always cold and have been sleeping in a different room as my wife can't stand the heat at 75.
I've stopped drinking cold drinks, like chilled water, as a bottle of water will have me shivering uncontrollably and my body temp plunges into the mid to upper 94 range.
I visited my family doctor who didn't seem to think this much of an issue. As I type this, I have the heat set to 75 degrees, am wearing jeans with sweat pants over them, a sweat shirt and a "hoodie" and my fingers are almost too cold to type. I feel more comfortable at temps above 80.
I am taking Valium (to control muscle spasms from a back injury) 4 mg. 3X/day and have rheumatoid arthritis, but have had that for several years. Any idea what may be causing this sudden change?
I just can't stand being cold all the time and haven't ventured outdoors much this winter. Any insight or ideas are appreciated.

This discussion is related to Possible causes for low body temp?.

sonhelpingdad · Answer

My father has a nonbypassable heart condition (two of four main arteries blocked) which is stable. He has been hospitalized three times for a couple of days each time recently because of persistent positional dizziness (OK when sitting, very dizzy when standing) and difficulty urinating. His body temperature at hospital check in has been  92 degrees. Today at home it is 92 degrees. Adrenal function checked on last hospitalization and is OK; heart function checked and stable. He dozes off easily. Mentally he's quite with it. He has been on levothyroxine for a number of years so his thyroid function is monitored. He has been taking a calcium-channel blocker to regulate heart rate but is temporarily off it on doctor's orders to see if that changes anything with the dizziness symptoms. Is there any possibility his hyptothalmus function and TRH levels could be off? How is that tested? He is seeing his PCP on Tuesday and also urologist.

Timaaay · Answer

Thanks you very much for the informative reply! I'll follow your advice and make an appointment. Usual a person that only visits a doctor if I believe something may be fatal, I will make an appointment for evaluation as this may have the possibility of a serious condition. (It has certainly become a quality of life issue) I believe I've been to a doctor twice in the last ten years or so.
 Thanks you again doctor for taking the time to reply and offer insight; it's appreciated more than you likely know.

KMathurMD · Answer

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Since you have temperature fluctuations the first things to be ruled out are thyroid disorders, adrenal gland problems, anemia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, liver diseases, low Vit B12, and vasovagal attacks.
The best thing would be to consult a general practitioner or PCP and try and assess what is the cause of your problem. Then proper referral for concerned specialist can take things further and get you proper treatment. Take care!

Timaaay · Answer

Not that I'm aware of. The doc didn't order any blood work. I was there recently for an unrelated issue (back pain) and mentioned the sudden (over the last few months) coldness. As a matter of fact, the girl that takes pulse, blood pressure, temp., etc., took my temp and it was 96.4, she left and got a different thermometer that confirmed the first. 
 Anyway, the doc didn't seem concerned at all and didn't really even address the issue or comment on it. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about it and make an appointment with another doctor, or perhaps it's nothing to worry about. At any rate, I cant wait until summer finally arrives! 
 At "normal room temp." (70 degrees) My hands, feet, ears, and nose are like ice and my nose starts running as if I were in a cold climate. It's very odd indeed.