I never thought much about it, but mine is always in the 96.+ range.

I have had A.D. for 5 years and I never run fevers anymore. I had H1N1 and then pneumonia and my temp didn't go over 98. My temp is always 97. something.

I too seem to run constantly low. If i get to 98, I am usually sick. My doc says it has to do with my thryoid issues. He often judges adequate thyroid replacement on your morning temperature. Mine is usually 95. something. Absurd! I hardly ever get a real fever. Steroids will inhibit fever to some extent, but I rarely got fever before I was on steroids. I have gotten some high spikes with crises, but when I'm sick, nothing. Odd, isn't it.

My temp has run low since I was a child.

mine runs a constant 98.6 unless I'm sick.

A normal temperature for individuals is between 96 and 99.8F. Every one is different, many people have low temperatures, which is normal for them and nothing to worry about. I frequently run low grade fevers, due to a shot immune system and chronic infections.

My experience with doctors I have asked this question to have given me mixed answers often variable vague. Until one day I got a different answer, a very unusual answer came back to me. 'Maybe you have a low thyroid problem with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome' (a sign of low T3 hormone production, most thyroid meds just provide T4 support) with autoimmune issues. I went on the research path to explore this. I found several doctor sponsored web sites and real details based on facts when my own doctor said I was just fine in response to when the only thyroid lab test she requested came back normal.

AThe normal TSH test most doctors use to diagnose thyroid disorders does not measure T4 levels, so many hypothyroid individuals are not diagnosed, since they may have a normal T3 level, but not be able to convert to T4. MOst meds for hypothroidism are usually only T3, like synthroid, people, like me that do not convert to T4 need an T$ supplement like Liothyronine. Unfortunately, most doctors do not realize that they are missing a lot of hypothyroid patients, because they are not testing free T3 and T4 levels.

Actually, the thyroid gland puts out both T4 and T3, but converts most of the T4 to T3 in the body depending on needs. Synthroid and its generics are pure T4. Most people that are hypothyroid are only given this synthetic T4 and their bodies convert to T3. Armour thyroid contains both T3 and T4. Cytomel is pure T3. Without cortisol, the body cannot do this very well. My body converts almost all the T4 to T3 and I don't have any T4 left to do its thing. We have tested all my thyroid levels over and over and they always come out really wacky. TSH is just the hormone that tells the thyroid to work or not, and is all most doctors check as a screening for thyroid problems. If it is 'normal' they look no further, which is a mistake. It only tells part of the story. Thyroid function is funky enough on its own, but add in the addison's component and it gets really difficult to figure out. Cortisol and thyroid function go hand in hand - one does not work without the other. The guidelines say you should fix the cortisol problem first, then deal with the thyroid if its still an issue. I don't know if all endos follow those guidelines. I get a headache every time I try to figure it out.

Vanyel

steroids supress temperatures.

if you're on a substantial subscription of steroids, you should find that when you come down with something that would normally raise someone's temp, it doesn't raise yours - or, if it does, it does so very slightly.

this is our new 'norm' - just another way that the good old addison's likes to play w/our heads.

if you find that you *do* have a substantial temp while you're on your normal steroid dose, i would get ahold of your doctor, as it's definitely a sign that something's not right.

this has been a problem for me since i was diagnosed; i am *constantly* burning up, hot as hell, red-faced - but NO temp. it made no sense to me, until i recently went into a crisis while @ my doctor's office, and was SO hot that i actually DID spike a fever, which immediately worried her, since i'm on steroids (so i shouldn't have high fevers), and i never have high fevers in the first place.

i know that going on prednisone in the beginning can raise your body temp, but this seems to happen after your body gets used to being on steroids, i think.

that's my story - hope it helps!

xo, misa

vanyel-

while i mean no disrespect, i thought i might address this:

i feel that sometimes in your posts when you correct people, whether you know it or not, it comes across harshly, and maybe even as though you believe that the previous poster is wrong, or does not know what they are talking about.

you also seem to make a few blanket statements that no one could possibly know to be true ('...and is all most doctors check as a screening for thyroid problems. If it is 'normal' they look no further, which is a mistake.').

while i realize that you worked in medicine, and have done a lot of research on top of that - but so have many others, and while i'm sure it's not your intention, it can come across as undermining to read that someone else's information is simply wrong. maybe there's a better way to word it? also, w/the quote above: there's no way to truly know if 'most' doctors take shortcuts while screening for thyroid problems ... i mention this because i feel that statements like this might cause unnecessary distrust or resentment towards endocrinologists, and we don't want to assume the worst about them; there are many thorough, caring, endos out there (but of course, you're right, there are some who cut corners as well!).

i really don't mean to come across as harsh or attacking; you are invaluable to the board and - whether you know it or not - have given me a *lot* of helpful information! there are just a few things i thought about after reading your post, that might help you reach more people. me and my big mouth are always saying what we think - hopefully you'll do the same w/me!

xo, missy

thanks misa......i know steroids have changed so many things in my life. i am grateful for them considering that they keep us alive, but there are a lot of downsides to them.
my temp has always been low but never as low as since i went on cortef.

i hear ya, sheri!

on the one hand, i'm so grateful to have finally been given a diagnosis for this mess, and know that there is something that will not only help - but keep me alive.

on the other hand ... could there BE another crappy side effect from cortef? maybe, but i'm thinking more along the lines of maybe not! it's *so* frustrating, isn't it?

but again, i'm alive to write you this message, and you're alive to read it - and we have to be thankful for that.

hope you're feeling well!
xo, misa

my temp is and has all ways been low its like 96 97 all the time so dont worry.

Do some research about the L-carnitine amino acid. Ask your doctor how to improve your sub-basal temperature closer to 98.6 to fight viral infections better. If your doctor does not know then ask a naturopathic doctor about natural ways to help us when we are sensitive to viral exposure around us. Viruses love colder bodies. Warm up to the blood and liver to fight free radicals.
L-Carnitine - Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/carnitine/ - 69k - Similar Pages L-carnitine is a derivative of the amino acid, lysine. Its name is derived from the fact that it was first isolated from meat (carnus) in 1905. ...