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Is A Constant Body Temperature Of 36.1 Degrees Normal?

Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2015

Question: hi my 12 year old daughter has a constant body temp of 36.1 degrees, is this normal? she is feeling completely fine and has not been out in the cold

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more info

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Body temperature varies on the method used, thermometer and most importantly where you are checking for the temperature for example rectal, oral, armpits, etc

Please get back to me with the details of

1. Are you using a digital thermometer
2. Where are you keeping the thermometer?
3. What symptoms does she have currently?
4. Please mention the weight and height of your daughter

Please get back to me, I will be awaiting your response

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (11 minutes later)

yes , she is about 5ft, 3 weighs 110 lbs. she has no symptoms of anything wrong , I used a digital thermometer I have the thermometer in a warm room turned off when not in use, she was a little nausaus for a couple of days but its gone today but the temp is still 36.1 celcius

also I used it orally, thanx

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

Oral temperature is known to be slightly lower than the rectal temperature. From the history you have given me your daughter has normal body temperature, low body temperature is not significant in the absence of symptoms such as shivering, cramps, chest pain etc.

If you are still in doubt I recommend you to use a rectal thermometer instead of the oral thermometer.
I also suggest you to see the instruction manual of your thermometer to see if it has shown to have a small known variation from the standard thermometers

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (27 minutes later)

can fighting off a virus such as the flu cause a low body temp instead of a fever, it is flu season and our area is quite active now for the flu, and of course in school. Can children be hypothyroid? she is very active all day and is only tired at bedtime. Also can hormones possibly play a role in low body temp , that she might be starting her period soon?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fighting flu cannot cause hypothermia

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back, I am sorry for the short delay in my reply. I just got back from the hospital, it was a busy day even though it was saturday

It is true that infections can sometimes lead to hypothermia but this is in very severe conditions known as sepsis. These patients will be toxic and will require MICU care. So it is unlikely that your child has hypothermia secondary to this

The hypothermia seen in patients with hypothyroidism is most often in a dreaded condition called myxedema coma, which is not the case in your child. Subclinical hypothyroidism can exist, there is no harm getting it screened in your child

There is a good possibility that your child might get her periods, low body temperature is a cyclical change seen during periods.

Improper recording of the temperature is the most common cause for hypothermia, please check it again and co relate as hypothermia in your child is not co relating clinically

Sorry once again for the delay in my reply

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar