Super low BBT?

[MommyMatsumoto]

So I've just started temping and have had what I think are REALLY low BBTs... 96.1 degrees. Granted, I'm still in the follicular phase and should be O'ing in about a week or so, but I wonder if that BBT is abnormally low. Before this past week, I've never taken my BBT so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Does that sound weird to anyone else? Anyone have a similar BBT in the follicular phase?

TIA!

[MaerynPearl]

are you sure you are taking it correctly? it can take use some time to get used to not moving around much before we take it, making sure the thermometer is in our mouths good... and for some, even learning the difference between using a regular digital thermometer and a BBT thermometer can make all the difference in the world!


and even with all of that, simple things such as mouth breathing while you sleep or sleeping with a fan on you can totally interfere with your temps. (but if the conditions are always the same, they will be consistently low and still able to follow)

That said, my first and second months charting (orally) my pre-O temps were around 96.25 (96.1-96.5) and post O barely topped 97

When I changed over to temping vaginally my temps became less erratic and much more reasonable temps (97.5ish pre-O and 98.2is post-O)

If you continue to worry about your temps I do highly suggest vaginally temping as you have so many less variables thrown in.

Good luck! And it does take all of us a bit to get the hang of it!

[MommyMatsumoto]

Thank you for your input, MaerynPearl! I got another low temp today (96.3) using a digital thermometer so I think I'm going to go get an actual BBT thermometer and try temping vaginally. Is there any tricks/tips you have for doing that? Thanks!

[MaerynPearl]

Its actually VERY easy to do! I did keep disinfectant wipes next to my bed to wipe it off each day after use just to avoid giving myself an infection down there...

but other than that all you have to do is put it in until it is at a comfortable spot... theres a very small area that is actually comfortable, too far out feels like its going to fall out, too far in and you would hit your cervix and that would hurt!

You dont need to squeeze your legs shut or anything, our vaginas close around it on their own.

[mamaw/two]

I just wanted to add that low bbt can be a sign of low thyroid function.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by mamaw/two

I just wanted to add that low bbt can be a sign of low thyroid function.

While this is true I wouldnt worry about it until after you try vaginally temping.

As I said, I had quite low temps myself and I have my thyroid checked on a regular basis due to having been hypo in the past... and mine is always in the optimum range.

[M.Q.]

My pre-O temps are usually in the 96's (coverline at 97.2 this month), but I always have a rather low temp (BBT or otherwise). I hadn't known that it could be a sign of low thyroid function; but I am not surprised because I have other reasons to suspect my thyroid is out of whack. This is just another indication that I need to see an endocrinologist asap before TTC to get that straightened out.
-MQ

[MommyMatsumoto]

Wow! I had actually just been talking to my husband about whether or not there might be something wrong with my thyroid because I've been working out for 5.5 weeks now and haven't lost any weight. That makes me wonder...

I think I will try to vaginally temp first and see what my results are. I'm supposed to O in a week so if nothing comes out of that, then I'll order a BBT and switch my methods.

Thank you everyone for your input!! I LOVE this discussion board.

[lonegirl]

My temps tend to run low (and I am overweight and have irregular cycles) and I just had thyroid function test....all normal!

[MaerynPearl]

it took me a month and half working out to start to drop weight (and then it was very slowly until I had built up enough muscle to up my metabolism)... some women just go slowly.

oddly, being pregnant I lost 18 pounds! Im still 16 pounds down from my TTC weight and 20 weeks along!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Are you a mouth breather or snore? Both those things will result in a lower than expected bbt.

[mamaw/two]

Originally Posted by MommyMatsumoto

Wow! I had actually just been talking to my husband about whether or not there might be something wrong with my thyroid because I've been working out for 5.5 weeks now and haven't lost any weight. That makes me wonder...

I think I will try to vaginally temp first and see what my results are. I'm supposed to O in a week so if nothing comes out of that, then I'll order a BBT and switch my methods.

Thank you everyone for your input!! I LOVE this discussion board.

I just mentioned the low thyroid thing because I have been dealing with it after each of the children. I worked out hard for 4 monthes (45 mins of cardio 5 days a week, pilates 2x a week, weights 3x a week and yoga 1-2x a week), ate very well, and gained 10lbs. I hope the vaginal temps are higher and its not a thyroid thing for you.

[Rainy229]

I thought I was the only one! My BBTs used to be 95.8 - 96.3 pre-o, but after acupuncture and herbs, they're consistently 97.5 ish pre-o. That said, if DH steals the covers, the covers aren't all the way up to my chinny-chin-chin, or there just, plain aren't enough, OR our dog-that-thinks-she's-a-kid needs something in the middle of the night I can easily see something below 97.2. The acupuncture and herbs really helped with the BBTs coming up, but I was JUST put on meds for both PCOS and (sub-optimal, but not "technical") hypothyroid (metformin and synthroid, respectively); I haven't seen a noticeable difference in temps since I started meds though.

I really appreciate the tip about switching from oral to vaginal BBT - I might have to try that; thanks!

[MommyMatsumoto]

No, I'm not a mouth-breather and I don't snore. Plus, I have my thermometer next to my bed and temp before I even open my mouth in the morning. I think it's just a shifty digital oral thermometer. I'm defnitely going to have to switch to an actual BBT thermometer.

And one of the many reasons I'm looking forward to getting pregnant is because last time I got pregnant, I too lost a lot of weight (12 pounds) and didn't put any weight on until I was 20 weeks. I definitely felt more beautiful and confident while pregnant and I'm looking forward to that.

I ordered some organic kelp iodine drops so I'm going to give that a try and see if things start looking better. I looked up "hypothyroidism" on Dr. Mercola's website and realized I have lots more symptoms than just the low BBT so I hope that even if I do have hypothyroidism that it's not really bad and I'm still able to conceive.