Low body temperature?

Adah_m
Adah_m Posts: 216 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm running between 96-97 usually, and I'm hearing a lot of things that low body temp could indicate hypothyroidism, even though I haven't had a real problem losing weight, or that it can mean a slow metabolism.

All I know is that my hands are generally icy, and I would like to find a way to boost my temp if it means better metabolism.

Any knowledge you can throw my way?

Replies

  • lewcompton
    lewcompton Posts: 881 Member
    Consume items that are more thermogenic... Capcasin rich foods like chili peppers, onions, garlic, red and black pepper... Green tea is suppose to help as are higher protein content foods.
  • stephenson2012
    stephenson2012 Posts: 94 Member
    For me, it is hypothryroidism. My hands and feet will get icy cold. I have been able to lose weight. It just comes off slower. Your thyroid can impact so many different things. It is a simple blood test.
  • lewcompton
    lewcompton Posts: 881 Member
    BTW 103 in the past year? Congratulations! I'm down 144 since July... but then I was huge and I still am large!
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Eat more.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    No knowledge other than to say that I too average about 97.4. I am an excessive sweater and have always wondered if this was part of the reason. I have never had my thyroid checked but I am losing nicely in my 8 weeks on MFP so I am not really worried about it.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    How many cals do you eat per day?

    It can be a sign that you are undereating.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Hypothyroid body temps are usually even lower, practically in the hypothermia range.

    Most US doctors will include a thyroid screening in your annual physical if you ask them to.

    Some of us are just cold - and I eat spicy food like it is going out of style, but I still have a temp around 97. When I did have hypothermia it was in the 80s, which no one on the ER staff had seen before. If I really feel like crap, it might be all the way up to 98.6, but just try telling a doctor that you are running a fever at that temp.

    BTW, it isn't necessarily related to your icy hands. Despite my chilly body temp, I can usually regulate my limbs as well as, or even better than, others around me. That has more to do with overall circulation.
  • underwater77
    underwater77 Posts: 331 Member
    Is it consistently low? Oral temp? Are you making sure you haven't had anything to drink prior to taking a temp that could skew your results? I generally find that a very large portion of my patients typically run well below 98.6 - I often see upper 96 and low 97s. I personally wouldn't worry much especially if you aren't experiencing any other symptoms, but if it would put your mind at ease, have some labs drawn.
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    I have a low body temp to cold most of the time, inspite of peri-menopausal and have a very low (38-40) resting heart rate. I still am able to lose weight though. My mouth can not handle hot spicy foods but I do have sweet peppers, onions and garlic almost daily and am doing at least 100g of protein daily. I sleep with an electric blanket and use it after workouts due to getting an extreme cold crash. Would like futher tips to do as well. I have a HRM watch and try to move more when it gets low.
  • wiltl
    wiltl Posts: 188 Member
    I've always had a low body temp, my weight has never had an impact high or low. I'm generally 97.1 - 97.7 and anything above that for me is a fever. I've had my thyroid tested nine ways to Sunday and its fine, and I love spicy food and lots of it and still I'm 97 something. I've never heard that a low body temp inhibits weight loss or metabolism.

    If its only been recently that your temp has been lower, then a visit to the doctor would be the first step.
  • msvsbarbie
    msvsbarbie Posts: 25
    My temperature was always 96 degrees f and it turned out I did have hypothyroidism hence why I gained 15 pounds from one piece of chocolate (speaking out of terms of course) but the only way my hypothyroidism went way is when I began eating 100% vegan and 90% raw food. Ever since then I haven't been sick and my blood tests showed that my hypothyroidism went away. A lot of hormones in meat, dairy, and processed food can cause your thyroid to produce a less significant amount of hormones which can actually become mutated. I had a horrible time when I had hypothyroidism and would fall asleep when driving. Eating 100% vegan and 90% raw is the only thing that saved me. Now my temperature is usually around 98 degrees.
  • wiltl
    wiltl Posts: 188 Member
    If I really feel like crap, it might be all the way up to 98.6, but just try telling a doctor that you are running a fever at that temp.


    Yep, every time I've gone to a new doctor I have to explain that "normal" is high for me. If I don't have some other symptom to back it up, I must be a hypochondriac!
  • v70t5m
    v70t5m Posts: 186 Member
    I think my temp was 96.6 last time I went in, and I queried the doc. He wasn't worried, said that wasn't even close to the low end of the spectrum and I'm still within "normal" range ... no worries.

    When I cut my calories low, my temp seems to drop accordingly. Body adjustment in action. Gotta love those adaptable things.

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