Consistently lower than ‘normal’ temperature may be just fine

I am a healthy 79-year-old male. My doctor tells me my blood pressure and pulse are better than most men half my age. I feel good.

I have been taking my temperature about three times a day, using both digital and mercury thermometers, careful to wait at least an hour after eating or drinking. My temperature is consistently two to four degrees below the 98.6 “normal” standard even after activity. Are my temps normal for someone my age? Are there age-related temperature charts for men and for women? Does 98.6 indicate a lowgrade fever for me? On a cold day I walk with my hat, gloves and jacket, but I see kids running around with just a Tshirt and shorts. At what temperature point should I be concerned?

Older adults have lower body temperatures than younger adults or children. Further,

the average temperature seems to have been falling over the past hundred years, and the new normal being closer to 97.5 degrees — but some people can have a “normal” that is quite different from even the new normal of 97.5. That being said, four degrees is at the far end of the range of normal variability, even for older adults.

While this may be just your normal, it is worth considering whether your numbers are due to a condition that can cause an abnormally low body temperature, such as low thyroid or low cortisone. If those are normal, you can continue wearing clothing that keeps you comfortable, regardless of what others wear.

Finally, because your body temperature is low, and because people nearing or in their 80s often show less or no fever even with infection, take a lowgrade fever seriously. Also, be aware of other symptoms besides fever that indicate infection — for example, cough and confusion might indicate pneumonia.