If your body temperature drops below 95 degrees F, it can indicate hypothermia. Often caused by exposure to the cold, hypothermia is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
For most adults, a normal body temperature is between 97.8 degrees F to 99.1 degrees F. Some people naturally register lower than this, but low body temperature can also indicate a medical condition like thyroid disease that may need treatment.
This article covers the possible causes of low body temperature, how to take your temperature correctly, and when to seek medical care for a low body temperature.
Low Body Temperature Signs and Symptoms
A body temperature that’s slightly below normal may not cause any symptoms aside from feeling chilly, although the underlying cause may bring about other symptoms.
When a low body temperature dips under or is starting to approach 95 degrees F, however, you’ll have the signs and symptoms of hypothermia.
The first signs that your body temperature is too low are typical responses to the cold—for example, you’ll have chills and start shivering.
When hypothermia becomes severe, you may stop shivering. As hypothermia progresses, you will be unable to think clearly or move.
The signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
Confusion Drowsiness Cold, pale skin Slow heart rate and breathing Uncontrolled shivering, then not shivering at all Loss of coordination Weakness
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you don’t have hypothermia but consistently have a body temperature below 97 degrees F, or you constantly feel cold, talk to your healthcare provider.
Why Body Temperature May Decrease
Having a slightly lower body temperature is not always a concern.
For example, body temperature decreases with age due to fat loss. It can also be due to the use of certain medications, hormonal and metabolic changes, and natural fluctuations throughout the day.
That said, a body temperature lower than 97.8 degrees F can sometimes be a sign that something’s wrong. A low body temperature can be caused by medical conditions, including:
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) Circulation problems
Temperatures nearing or dipping below 95 degrees can indicate that hypothermia is developing or has set in. This typically happens when someone is exposed to cold air or water for a period of time (e.g., they have fallen in a frozen lake).
Hypothermia can also be caused by necessary medical treatment, like surgery. Sometimes, providers lower a person’s body temperature on purpose to try to save them after severe trauma.
Is Your Low Body Temperature Reading Accurate?
If you take your body temperature and are worried that it’s too low, you first need to make sure that the reading you got is correct and that you are considering factors that may affect it.
Use a Good Thermometer
Your best bet is a probe thermometer that goes into your mouth, rectum, or armpit. Another accurate option is an electronic forehead thermometer.
Electronic ear thermometers are considered less accurate than these options.
Consider When You Take a Reading
It’s important to wait for a bit after doing activities that can change your temperature. Do not take your body temperature:
Within an hour of exercise or a hot bathWithin 30 minutes of smokingWithin 30 minutes of drinking a hot or cold drink
Read the instructions for your thermometer and follow them. Most thermometers will beep when it’s time to check the reading.
Take Location Differences Into Account
Your body temperature reading will depend on where on the body you take it.
For example, rectal and ear temperatures can be 0.5 to 1 degree higher than oral readings, and armpit and forehead readings can be 0.5 to 1 degree lower.
Summary
Having a low body temperature is not always a problem but it can be. A body temperature that is too low can be a sign of a health condition or even a life-threatening emergency if hypothermia sets in. However, some people just naturally have a lower-than-normal body temperature—especially as they get older.
If you have a consistently low body temperature and you feel cold all the time, it’s best to bring it up with your provider. They can figure out if there’s a medical cause for your low body temperature and make sure you get the right treatment.
