Low rectal temperature reading

I understand that 99.6 is the average normal for a rectal temp as is 98.6 for an oral temp from what I have read online.

I took mine yesterday with both a glass mercury rectal thermometer and a Geratherm Thermometer Oral Mercury Free. The glass mercury reading was 98.2 and the Geratherm gave me a reading of 97.4.

I left the thermometer inserted in my rectum for 5 minutes and held them in place. Is a reading under the average normal rectal temp normal?

I think the temperature varies throughout the day and is different for each person.

so i would not worry about it.

what temp do you normally have if you are not ill?

Mine actually goes down when I'm sick or overtired, unless the illness is going to cause a fever, then it goes up of course. One of the ways I know I'm coming down with something is to take my temperature when I'm starting to feel ill. If it's lower than my normal temp, I know I can expect to feel lousy for the next few days.

Old and in the way, that's what my Doc does too. His normal rectal temp if aboud 99 and 99.6. Anything lower than that and we know he's got something brewing, anything higher than 99.6 and hes past the brewing stage and heading into a full blown something or another. I can always tell when which stage Doc is in by his moods, reactions, whinniness, or his neediness with me, which is all good. Picking up on those signs helps me treat him faster and more accurately.

Pay attention to your body, it will tell you wants wrong if you stop and listen to it. Trust me.

Mashie

Body temp can indeed drop a bit when one is coming down with a viral illness, such as a cold. So, that can be one reason. Also, the prior comment about time of day is very important and charting one's temperature when taken several times a day can be interesting. Normally temperature is lowest just before you wake up, so between 6 and 8 AM is good to check it. From there it steadily rises to around noon, staying level there till late afternoon. Then slowly declines to its nadir before awakening again. There can be a full 2 degrees between the low and high points. So if it was low first thing in the morning, try again late afternoon. Graphing it can be fun, tho perhaps not as much fun as taking it in the first place.

I've had a rectal temp of 95.2! so low it scared me but i felt perfectly fine. Hypothermic there for a while!It was about 6 am in the dead of winter. The heater in my bedroom wasn't working and the room was really cold. I stayed in bed till 9 and rechecked it. It said 97.0

I went and took a hot bath and it was between 97and 98.2 for the rest of the day.

I had a 95.6 rectally temp. Not sure why it’s that low or the thermometer is cheap. I’m going to try and find a good mercury thermometer. Not sure where to purchase one from. I’d prefer to order it online if possible. I’m assuming amazon would sell them