Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Low Body Temprature During Day Time?
Question: my temp has been running real low at 96.5 or 96.8 during the middle of the day. Is this anything to be worried about and what is causing this. I usually run a 97.8.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
I would recommend getting your thyroid checked. People with an under active thyroid may perceive a sensation similar to this.
Getting the thyroid checked is a very simple thing to do. This entails a blood test for TSH and Free T4. This does not require fasting and can be done at anytime of the day.
In general it is always a good idea to have
CBC
CMP
done too for the sake of completion and ensuring overall normal function of the liver and kidney along with normal hemoglobin, electrolytes, calcium and glucose.
The above 4 blood tests (TSH, free T4, CBC, CMP) will cover all the elements I have referred to above.
Individuals who have 'Hypothyroidism' ie an under active thyroid tend to feel colder than others and even have a lower body temperature.
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
I would recommend getting your thyroid checked. People with an under active thyroid may perceive a sensation similar to this.
Getting the thyroid checked is a very simple thing to do. This entails a blood test for TSH and Free T4. This does not require fasting and can be done at anytime of the day.
In general it is always a good idea to have
CBC
CMP
done too for the sake of completion and ensuring overall normal function of the liver and kidney along with normal hemoglobin, electrolytes, calcium and glucose.
The above 4 blood tests (TSH, free T4, CBC, CMP) will cover all the elements I have referred to above.
Individuals who have 'Hypothyroidism' ie an under active thyroid tend to feel colder than others and even have a lower body temperature.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have just had those tests done. I am already on a high dose of thyroxin, my doctor thought the mg should be lowered, because of it affecting another issue. I refused. I have been taking this medication for close to 43 years, and know what I feel like without it. Currently on 200 mcg.
I am not cold- in fact normally I am hot more often than cold. I am a type 2 diabetic on oral and sometimes injectable insulin. I watch my diet very carefully and I know I need to exercise more than I do now. I am a hobby gardener and work outside a lot lifting carrying, and shoveling, and pulling weeds. I am divorced 23 yrs so I do all this myself as well as taking care of an home.
I just had a microvascular stroke affecting the 6th optical nerve in my right eye 4 months ago. Caused diplopia . Had a MRI in hospital, and also a MRA which showed no abnormalities but the nerve. No other symptoms of anything irregular.
I have since retired and am on social security.
I have had other symptoms feeling like I am going to pass out when I am sitting at my kitchen table reading for any length of time. Everything starts to go black and my head starts spinning like my head is going to go flat out on the table. To
get myself out of this ( which is really scary for me since I am by myself ) I start taking deeper breaths and move around some, and that seems to end the issue.
But I know this is not normal. I am guessing that my breathing slows so much that I am not taking in enough oxygen. I know I find myself sometimes breathing more shallowly when I drive long distances and have to concentrate on taking deeper breaths. But I have never experienced feeling of passing out when I drive. Thank Goodness.
Sorry, I did not mean for this to be a book length.
I am not cold- in fact normally I am hot more often than cold. I am a type 2 diabetic on oral and sometimes injectable insulin. I watch my diet very carefully and I know I need to exercise more than I do now. I am a hobby gardener and work outside a lot lifting carrying, and shoveling, and pulling weeds. I am divorced 23 yrs so I do all this myself as well as taking care of an home.
I just had a microvascular stroke affecting the 6th optical nerve in my right eye 4 months ago. Caused diplopia . Had a MRI in hospital, and also a MRA which showed no abnormalities but the nerve. No other symptoms of anything irregular.
I have since retired and am on social security.
I have had other symptoms feeling like I am going to pass out when I am sitting at my kitchen table reading for any length of time. Everything starts to go black and my head starts spinning like my head is going to go flat out on the table. To
get myself out of this ( which is really scary for me since I am by myself ) I start taking deeper breaths and move around some, and that seems to end the issue.
But I know this is not normal. I am guessing that my breathing slows so much that I am not taking in enough oxygen. I know I find myself sometimes breathing more shallowly when I drive long distances and have to concentrate on taking deeper breaths. But I have never experienced feeling of passing out when I drive. Thank Goodness.
Sorry, I did not mean for this to be a book length.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I understand what you are saying here.
Feeling cold and clammy can well be a manifestation of hypoglycemia ie low blood glucose levels. I see you live alone but it is very important to check your blood glucose levels with a glucose monitor at the time you have these symptoms.
I also recommend a blood test for 'Plasma free metanephrines' to look for a rare condition called pheochromocytoma.
Further you could have vertigo too. Please see an ENT doctor to ascertain the possibility of this diagnosis.
Finally, your thyroid needs to be regulated properly. For most individuals the TSH ought to be in the range of 0.4 to 2.5
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I understand what you are saying here.
Feeling cold and clammy can well be a manifestation of hypoglycemia ie low blood glucose levels. I see you live alone but it is very important to check your blood glucose levels with a glucose monitor at the time you have these symptoms.
I also recommend a blood test for 'Plasma free metanephrines' to look for a rare condition called pheochromocytoma.
Further you could have vertigo too. Please see an ENT doctor to ascertain the possibility of this diagnosis.
Finally, your thyroid needs to be regulated properly. For most individuals the TSH ought to be in the range of 0.4 to 2.5
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank You.
I will take this up with my primary care doctor since I do not have an endocrinologist MD. I know I should but where I live there is only one and he is always extremely booked.
I will take this up with my primary care doctor since I do not have an endocrinologist MD. I know I should but where I live there is only one and he is always extremely booked.
Brief Answer:
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. Follow the above mentioned instructions, you should be fine soon and keep me updated.
If no further clarifications, please close and rate this query.
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. Follow the above mentioned instructions, you should be fine soon and keep me updated.
If no further clarifications, please close and rate this query.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
