went to get IVIG the other day,, nurse took my temp and said it was great,, (96.7),, I told her that was my new normal,, and anything about 98 was usually a fever for me,, Oh,,, I see,, whic meant in my book,, ya this guy is wrapped real tight,,,
Growing up my normal body temp was 96.8. 98+ was a fever. If they make comments about a low temp I will just tell them that it is normal for me.
Probably the response was due to the fact that medically they don't consider you to have a temperature until it's 100 degrees Fahrenheit or over. Anything under is considered basically meaningless. Our temperatures vary slightly through the day and can be affected by stress, pain, temperature, activity level etc.
Skylar
Oddly enough, I have always been the same way - low body temp.
I also have had low blood pressure 90/60 but now it is creeping up.
Tuckerdog
Me next! ;D Until I hit puberty, I was quite normal at 98.6 - right down the line. When I turned 12 or so, my temperature dropped to 97.2 always - very steady. Now it starts at 96 (or sometimes even lower) and goes up to 97.8 and then back to 96 or so at night; it's no wonder my body is losing it's mind!
Take care -
Patze
I'm a steady 97 myself.
It is interesting that I always have a low body temp (97 range) but always seem to feel like I am overheating. Sure wish I could buy a new body thermostat!
A steady 95 here. (35 Celcius) My skin is ice cold, but inside I feel I burn sometimes.
If my temperature goes to100,4 F (38 Celcius), it actually means that I have three degree higher body temp but the docs never seem to have that in mind. If i had the normal 98,6 (37 Celcius) and had 3 degrees higher temperature it would be 40 Celcius, and that would for sure make the docs react.
I'm a bit svared about this, because last year I had a sepsis but my temperature were too low for the docs to take the freezing and trembeling serious. I felt horrible sick, but the docs said I was just fine since my body temp was ok. It was when the bloodpressure dropped and I became not able to respond, they understood that something was very wrong.
I am really worried that I someday die from something people normally don't die from, because of the lack of knowledge with the doctors. They don't listen, they don't get in contact with other docs in other hospitals, only when I'm halfdead already.They have way too much pride and strong believe in their own knowledge, which is lacking a whole lot. Not only does this afect me, but of course other patients too.
Our neighbour has been bleeding through his urethra for four days now, and was admitted to the hospital. They are not able to find out where the blood come from, and he is bleeding heavy. But do they transfer himto the hospital in the neighbour town, which happen to specialize in urology? No!!!! They might concider it eventually, bu for now he is in the hospital in the closest town. It is stupidity. He is stuck with the docs who know nothing! Sometimes I wish we had the same health care system as in USA. I can only hope and pray he gets out of there alive.
Rania
Hi Rania,
You're right about doctors not taking you too seriously, especially with your temperature, boy do I know what you mean! I wish I could understand why doctors are that way, but you've probably hit it on the nail when you talk about the ego of some of them.
I know the rheumy I see is that way, drives me nuts sometimes, but he has proven to me that he is concerned about my health - hey, I'll take dealing with an ego if the doctor actually tries to do help me; it sure beats when they could care less (for me, I guess they can't get passed the extra fluff).
I have had problems trying to get doctors to understand that 100 on a thermomater is a fever for me, not just a small blip. I don't know about you, but I have to ask to have my temperature done by the old fashioned thermomater vice the electronic one. I haven't figured it out yet, but the electronic ones tend to read high for me and the other variety is a lot more accurate.
I have the same problem with my blood pressure done by the machine vice having it done manually. The machine often reads my pressure being very high, and if they do it the manual way, it's normal for me (within normal limits to low depending on if I'm in a lot of pain that day).
I'm sad to hear about your neighbor, wow, that is so sad. I don't know how your medical system works, but can a member of his family insist that he be transfered to the other hospital? Can he? Do you all have patient advocates by chance? And I'll keep my fingers crossed that he is transferred to the hospital with the Urology specialty soonest.
Take care -
Patze
98.6 degree Fahrenheit is just an average of temperatures - what that means is some people have lower temperatures and some have a higher temperature. It really doesn't matter what "your" temperature is as long as it's around 98.2 degree F as that is currently considered optimum temperature for the chemical reactions to occur in the body. BTW 98.2 degree F is now considered the new normal average temperature.
Anything under 100 degree F is not worth worrying about. Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations. 2nd ed. Canada: Delmar, 1988: 150-151. states that "... the normal range for body temperature is 97 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.1 to 37.8 degrees Celsius". A high temperature of 107.6 degree F is what you have to be really worried about because that is when brain damage occurs. This is why your doctors aren't concerned about your temperature until you reach 100 degree F.
According to Mayo Clinic, temperatures lower than 95 degree F are worrisome and often temporary. They recommend you discuss this with your doctor. They mention some medications and diseases can cause a lower temperature. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/body-temperature/AN01513 (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/body-temperature/AN01513) .
Remember where you take your temperature (ear, mouth, rectal), what time of day you take it, what your activities, ambient temperature, clothes you're wearing and your own body's pattern of change all influences your body temperature.
The bottom line is don't worry about anything under 100 degree F or lower than 95 degree F. Discuss this with your doctor if you continue to be concerned.
Rania, that is so sad and frustrating about your neighbour, I hope they find and treat the cause quickly and appropriately.
Skylar
Rania~~The health care here in the USA is not optimum. Wish it were.
Body temp wise~~~95 to 96 for me and it does become a problem after surgical procedures~~dips even lower and I am not able to go home until it rises. And then they want 98 which mine will not do unless I have a "temp" which for me includes chills etc.
So regardless of what is considered normal now~~~I DO have a fever when it is 98.
Hi Skylar, thanks for the info :), some of my doctors do worry when I hit a hundred and some don't; it depends on the doctor. Thankfully, my temperature was better than 103 that day (sinus infection along with whatever crud I'd also picked up) and the Internist's PA did take notice it (this was even after I saw the ENT and he could have cared less; and he wonders why I don't have him operate? ::)).
Do you ever have times when you temperature goes so low that the thermomater doesn't even register it?
Hi Rania, how are you doing? Any word on how your neighbor is doing?
Patze
Rania, Sometimes when a person has sepsis or a gram negative infection(another fancy infection) the temp can be a little subnormal. It is the good nurse and doc who pay attention to this and start with treatment immedicately. Sometimes waiting for the temperature to elevate or spike can be a little dangerous.
I can relate to what you say about dying with infection, Rania. Thank goodness I have this new immunologist who listens to his patients. He told me I believe what you say because you live in your own body and know how it reacts. If more docs would be like that there would be a whole lot more happy people walking around.
Sounds a little scary for your neighbor. Hopefully, the relative will take the bull by the horn and demand more answers. It gets really old when docs don't step up to the plate and suggest a person go elsewhere for treatment. I would bet that a lot of times money comes into play. There are a certain amount of health issues that can be resolved in time so docs don't like to move patients cause they always think that things will be alright. This is my impression after working with them for many years. I think the trick in being a doc is not knowing what you know, it is knowing what you don't know and acting on it. More of my humble opinion. Irish ;D
Irish you have hit the nail on the head.
Money makes the health world turn around. It all comes down to the dollar. Who gets what treatment and who gets the most money out of it without forking out the most money for it.
UNfortunately its us poor little suckers that need the health care that lose out
Pud
Hi - I'm another one with low body temperature. Always have had. :)
Take care - Scottie :)
What's the difference, 96, 97 or 98.6? I think are bodies are wire wrong and the way you feel, whether hot or cold has no bearing on ambient temperatures. I can be freezing when it is 90 degrees and I know that my body temp is at least 97.4 degrees and could actually overheat without knowing it.
I think that some of us have a neurological abnormality that make us perceive things in an irregular way, including pain and possibly some cognative issues as well. This could be do to some demyelination of neurons or just one of the many mysteries of Sjogren's syndrome. Either way, the thought of winter sends shivers down my spine >:( I hate walking around the house with a coat on, but now that I think about it, I did that all summer long too.
Hey Epson
What's a coat?
Pud
Must be reading my mind,, the thought of winter has me scared to death,, I could freeze to death and not know it,, and in my job i spend half of it outside,, its going to be interesting,,
Low body temp, can be a sign of Thyroid problems. It depends on the individual. Myself I have a temperature of 97 deg F. and I do have Thyroid problems. :'(
A Coat? Isn't that a four legged creature that eats anything? Oops, that's a goat. Sorry that was Baaaad.
Seeker
He he he he
I like it
Pud