The human body operates like a finely tuned machine, maintaining an internal baseline temperature under normal conditions. For decades, 98.6°F (37°C) has been considered the standard “normal” body temperature. However, advancements in research and technology have revealed that body temperature is more variable than once thought. In fact, individual differences in body temperature can depend on various factors, making it unique to each person to some extent.
Whether you’re naturally hot-to-trot or cooler than cool, it doesn’t really matter, but to contextualize any temperature variations, you’ll first need to figure out your baseline. The 98.6°F benchmark originates from a study conducted in 1851 by German physician Carl Wunderlich. While this average still holds some validity, more recent studies show that “normal” body temperature can range from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C). Studies have shown that individual baseline temperatures can differ due to genetics, age, sex, and lifestyle factors.
We’re not here to argue with Dr. Wunderlich. We’re here to presuppose that everyone does have a unique internal temperature. Individuals have unique blood pressure and heart rate baselines, so we’ll assume most of us also have unique normal body temperatures. (Maybe you bullseye on 98.6°F.) Regardless of whether you run hot or cold, the variability highlights the importance of understanding your personal baseline to better interpret changes that could indicate illness or other health concerns. How? By knowing your personal baseline and then monitoring it.
What’s Your Personal Internal Temperature?
As 98.6°F agnostics, we contend that body temperature is not universally fixed. As previously mentioned, studies show that a combination of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors shapes a person’s unique baseline. Once you figure out your natural body temperature, fluctuations of this homeostasis can provide you with valuable insights, helping you make informed decisions concerning your health. That said, a person’s body temperature is influenced by both internal and external factors, including:
- Age: Body temperature tends to decrease with age. Infants and young children generally have higher baseline temperatures than adults, while older adults may have slightly lower averages.
- Sex: Women’s body temperature can fluctuate due to hormonal changes, particularly during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
- Time of Day: Body temperature naturally varies throughout the day. Due to circadian rhythms, it is typically lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon or evening.
- Activity Levels: Physical activity temporarily raises body temperature as the body produces more heat to fuel muscle activity.
- Health Status: Chronic conditions, infections, or inflammation can alter an individual’s baseline temperature.
- Genetics: Emerging research suggests that some aspects of body temperature regulation may be influenced by genetic predispositions, making each person’s baseline temperature partially unique.
While physical activity, hormonal changes, time of day, and environmental conditions can cause minor variations, persistent deviations outside your unique normal range may warrant attention.
High Versus Low Body Temperature
Your internal body temperature reflects the balance between heat production and heat loss, and the hypothalamus is the part of the brain that serves as the body’s thermostat to regulate this balance. While slight fluctuations are natural, significant or sustained changes in internal body temperature can be substantial health indicators, so let’s jump into the mercurial world of thermometer-bobbin’.
Low Body Temperature (Hypothermia)
A body temperature consistently below 95°F (35°C) can be a sign of hypothermia, a condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce. While hypothermia is commonly associated with prolonged exposure to cold weather, it can also result from:
- Thyroid Dysfunction: Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, slows metabolic processes and can lower body temperature.
- Malnutrition: Inadequate calorie intake reduces the body’s ability to generate heat.
- Sepsis: In severe infections, the body’s response to pathogens can disrupt temperature regulation, leading to dangerously low readings.
Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, fatigue, and slowed breathing. Again, if you naturally run a bit cool, a lower temperature may not indicate much. If you run naturally hot, however, a lower temperature may suggest more serious inner goings-on.
Elevated Body Temperature (Fever)
Fever, a body temperature defined as above 100.4°F (38°C), is a typical response to infection or inflammation. A fever usually means that the immune system is actively fighting off pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. However, fever can also result from:
- Heatstroke: Excessive heat exposure, especially during physical exertion, can lead to dangerously high body temperatures exceeding 104°F (40°C).
- Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may trigger recurrent low-grade fevers.
- Certain Medications: Drug-induced fever can occur as a side effect of antibiotics, antipsychotics, or other medications.
High fever may present with symptoms like sweating, chills, headache, and dehydration. If the fever persists for over three days or exceeds 103°F (39.4°C), you should probably seek medical evaluation. Running naturally warm is one thing; a smoking engine is another.
While hypothermia and fever are the temperature extremes of your body, subtle temperature changes can also indicate certain underlying conditions. For example, a continual low-grade fever can be a symptom of chronic infections, cancers, and inflammatory diseases, while sudden temperature drops are associated with shock and certain endocrine disorders.
The Importance of Monitoring Body Temp
Monitoring body temperature is a simple yet powerful tool for detecting potential health issues. Regular temperature checks can provide early warning signs of illnesses or medical conditions before more serious symptoms develop. And with technological advancements in wearable health tracking, continuously gauging your temperature has never been stylishly easier. Here are a few reasons why keeping track of your body temperature is a proactive move:
- Early Detection of Infection: Many infections, including COVID-19, flu, and urinary tract infections, present with fever as an initial symptom. Monitoring your temperature helps identify these conditions early.
- Tracking Chronic Conditions: For individuals with ongoing health issues such as autoimmune diseases or thyroid dysfunction, regular temperature monitoring can reveal patterns and help guide treatment decisions.
- Managing Recovery: After surgery or during treatment for illnesses, keeping an eye on temperature can help detect complications like infections.
- Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses: For athletes or individuals working in hot environments, tracking body temperature can prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
- Supporting Fertility Planning: Body temperature tracking is a non-invasive method to identify ovulation, aiding in family planning or understanding hormonal health.
By uncovering and tracking your individual baseline temperature over time, you can detect early signs of illness, even if your readings fall within the traditional “normal” range. This leads us to an important component of decentralized science: personalized health. Recognizing that body temperature is not a one-size-fits-all measurement has important implications, and wearable health tracking devices can monitor your body’s unique temperature trends.
Fortunately, there’s one wearable health-tracking device that intersects the worlds of decentralized science and personalized health: the CureRing by AxonDAO. Along with its other features, the CureRing continually monitors your temperature, offering insights into how your baseline temperature may fluctuate due to sleep, stress, activity, or something more serious. This data is then stored on its own digital infrastructure, CureOS, allowing wearers to access vital information for assessing bodily changes over time.
Fluctuations in internal body temperature are more than just numbers on a thermometer. They provide valuable clues about your body’s state of health. By understanding what these changes mean, monitoring your temperature regularly, and responding appropriately, you can take proactive steps toward Goldilocks-ing your personal thermo-wellness.
