Chronic Low Body Temperature

Orally measured, normal human body temperature should be between 98.2 ± 1.3 °F or 36.8 ± 0.7 °C. The atmospheric temperature may rise or fall drastically but human body temperature changes just slightly. Human body successfully maintains its temperature with the help of the circadian rhythms.

The brain (hypothalamus), various glands and hormones, skin (sweating), blood vessels, help maintain the body temperature. Low body temperature is also known as hypothermia.

Acute and chronic hypothermia are the two types of hypothermia that one can suffer from, in various conditions. Chronic low body temperature mainly indicates hypothyroidism, a slow working thyroid gland. Certain other conditions can also lead to chronically low body temperature.

Normal body temperature varies from person to person. It also varies according to the time of the day, weather, activity and stress. Various chemical reactions take place during body metabolism which generate heat.

Low body temperature is responsible for slowing down of enzymatic processes. For every degree of temperature fall below the normal temperature, the body's enzymatic processes slows down by about 10%. In some serious cases, they may even slow down by 20%. The function of every enzyme depends upon its temperature.

Causes of persistent low body temperature include:

• Hypothyroidism, under-active thyroid, low thyroid hormone levels
• Wilson's Temperature Syndrome
• Over exposure to cold weather, frostbite

• Addison's Disease (scarcity of adrenal gland hormones)
• Alcohol abuse (body cannot control heat loss)
• Being on cold intravenous fluids
• Being under the effects of anesthesia
• Diabetes (fluctuating/ high/ low blood sugar levels)
• Drug abuse

• Excessive consumption of certain medications like sedatives or diuretics
• Side effects of certain medications
• Surgery or accidents
• Dysfunction of the Hypothalamus
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Shock, unbearable stress
• Sepsis (excess bacteria in bloodstream due to widespread infection)
• Certain other chronic conditions like anemia, hepatitis C, cancer, etc.

Low body temperature over an extended period of time can eventually lead to following health complications:

• Fatigue
• Headaches, migraines
• PMS, irregular periods
• Easy weight gain
• Depression
• Increased irritability

• Edema (fluid retention)
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Hair loss
• Poor memory, poor concentration
• Low sex drive
• Unhealthy nails

• Dull, dry skin and hair
• Increased cold intolerance, heat intolerance
• Significantly low motivation, low ambition
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Allergies
• Development of acne
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Asthma
• Difficulty swallowing
• Indigestion, constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Muscle and joint pain
• Slow healing of wounds
• Sweating abnormalities, itchiness
• Easy bruising
• Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
• Flushing
• Bad breath
• Dry eyes
• Vision problems like blurred vision

Chronic low body temperature indicates poor health. Restorative medical techniques help improve the temperature level. Untreated low body temperature can prove to be life-threatening.

• Regular exercises help generate considerable internal heat. If the problem is not severe, exercising can break the cold cycle.
• Wearing warm clothes, drinking hot beverages, herbal teas, soups; and avoiding cold drinks helps raise the body temperature.

• Since iodine and thyroid function go hand in hand, supplemental iodine can cure low body temperature, depending upon the cause.
• Correcting the copper levels in the body helps adjust the body temperature.

• Sometimes, providing sufficient rest to the body helps improve the temperature.
• Taking proper medications is essential if low body temperature is caused by infection due to worms or parasites.

• It is believed that certain herbs, root vegetables like rutabagas and carrots, legumes like string beans, spices like ginger root and red hot peppers help raise the body temperature.

• Following a healthy diet that provides all the essential nutrients can help raise the body temperature. Doctors may recommend some vitamin or minerals supplements. Intake of Molybdenum, Choline, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q10 have shown positive results in some cases.

Chronic hypothermia can lead to purple fingers and toes, slow breathing, slow heart rate, drowsiness, shivering, weakness, and confusion. It can seriously affect the heart health, and overall health of the person. Extremely low body temperature can even prove to be fatal. Now that you know the causes of prolonged low body temperature, you should take proper care to avoid such a serious situation.