The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body and is located in the lower portion of the neck. It is the site where the thyroid hormones are made, and these hormones have many significant functions. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid function) is the most common of the possible thyroid problems and is seen more in women. Some signs of this condition can be fatigue, cold intolerance, low heart rate, weight gain, dry skin, and coarse hair.
A low body temperature can be an early sign of a thyroid that is not producing a sufficient amount of hormones. A person’s body temperature is a measure of the body’s ability to generate and eliminate excess heat. The thyroid hormone has a direct effect on the basal metabolic rate, which can affect our body temperatures. The average body temperature should be 98.6 F during the mid-afternoon.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or if your mid-afternoon temperature is below average, then you should speak to your health care provider about the possibility of a thyroid condition.
