Normal body temperature?!
Question:
Normal body temperature?
When I check my body tempperature, it differs in mouth and armpit. Oral temp is 99.8 F and at armpit it is 98.8 F. Which one should be considered? Generally 98.6 F normal temperature but is it oral or at armpit?
Answers:
Most people think of a "normal" body temperature as an oral temperature of 98.6 F. This is an average of normal body temperatures. Your temperature may actually be 1°F (0.6°C) or more above or below 98.6 F. Also, your normal body temperature changes by as much as 1°F (0.6°C) throughout the day, depending on how active you are and the time of day. Body temperature is very sensitive to hormone levels and may be higher or lower when a woman is ovulating or having her menstrual period.
A rectal or ear (tympanic membrane) temperature reading is 0.5 to 1°F (0.3 to 0.6 °C) higher than an oral temperature reading. A temperature taken in the armpit is 0.5 to 1°F (0.3 to 0.6 °C) lower than an oral temperature reading.