What Causes Low Body Temperature Post Bronchitis Treatment?
Low temperature possible hypothyroidism
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
I see that you have recently been treated for acute bronchitis and improving but your body temperature has been unusually low. This can be of concern for a number of reasons. But my first question is if your thermometer is reading a true number? What kind of thermometer are you using? I would recommend hat you go to a pharmacy or even a fire department and have them take a temperature. If the temperature is still low then your thermometer is reading correctly.
A couple of causes of low body temperature is ongoing illness like a cold or flu. Sometimes the body temperature will actually go down in some people instead of up will ill with an infection. I would recommend continued monitoring of your illness and if it worsens that you seek additional medical attention
Another cause could be low thyroid. Low thyroid or hypothyroidism is where the bodies hormone to set metabolism is too low. When you bodies metabolism is too low then your body is unable to maintain a proper level of heat. Additional signs of hypothyroidism would be dry skin, feeling fatigued, swelling of the legs, low blood pressure or low pulse rate. If you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism then you need to see your doctor and have them run thyroid tests. TSH Free T4 and T3 T7. This blood work will identify most people with hypothyroidism.
In summary
1. low temperature check thermometer
2. get professional medical personnel to check temperature
3. Continued infection?
4. hypothyroidism?
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions.
I have used 2 thermometers....just bought a new one because older one was registering so low. I suspect on=going illness...probably the flu which my husband had after I started wi9th the Bronchitus. Do I take Advil etc like I would for a high fever?
I am tiring very easily but I have been sick for nearly a month for one think or another. I have finally stopped everything and am staying in and resting...had not been able to do with the first diagnosis: sinus infection, then it was acute Bronchituss and have felt the worst with this last thing that my husband had....he took XXXXXXX flu first them antibiotics for bacterial bronchitis (same as my diagnosis).
What do you recommend for me to do for the next several day.....Im in XXXXXXX and very frigid air is headed this way tomorrow all the way through weekend?
Again, I thank you for your time
XXXXXXX XXXXX
Rest
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for returning to HCM with your questions.
I appreciate that you have tried two different thermometers and that your temperature continues to be low. You have had a recent bout of infection that may have started with a flu and progressed into sinus infection and now bronchitis. A flu is caused by a virus and Tamiflu may have helped reduced the infection from 7 days to 5 days but does not really truly help. The bacterial infection from sinus infection and bronchitis needs ongoing antibiotics. In my practice I usually have my patients use at least 1-2 weeks of antibiotics for infection. Since you have already done this the next thing is to get extra rest. Stay indoors while the weather is cold and drink plenty of fluids including juices rich in vitamin C.
When the weather improves and you still are feeling tired and exhausted I recommend you see your doctor and have them check you for hypothyroidism. As I mentioned before blood work screening for TSH Free T4, T3 and T7 maybe in order.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions.