# What is up with my body temperature **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 17, 2001, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-body-temperature/82204 "2001-09-17T17:50:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phallyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5e9695/32.png) [@Phallyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phallyn)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-body-temperature/82204/1 "2001-09-17T17:50:36Z")
I once read somewhere that there is no such thing as cold, just an absence of heat. But I’m starting to think my body temperature proves that saying wrong. I swear I _generate_ cold, like most people generate heat. Ever step into a too-hot bathtub, and your skin erupts into this seering cold burning? I don’t have quite the right words to describe it, but maybe you’ll recognize what I mean. Well, that’s how I feel almost everytime I get into a bathtub. My mother tells me I shouldn’t take such hot baths, but that’s the only way I can thaw myself out. I checked with a doctor, and he said since my skin is nice and pink, that I’m not anemic. I keep the air conditioner off well into the summer, which drives my friends nuts, but that’s the only way I can walk around in my house without wrapping up in heavy blankets (yes, in the middle of July). So what’s up? Why am I so cold? Do I have some mystery ailment, if I’m not anemic? ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-body-temperature/82204/2 "2001-09-17T18:00:34Z")
What does a thermometer read when you take your temperature? There’s a difference betweeing **feeling** cold, and actually having a low body temperature, as someone will the chills during a fever can attest. Arjuna34 ---
**Author:** ![AM\_PM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@AM\_PM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AM_PM)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-body-temperature/82204/3 "2001-09-17T18:53:18Z")
The pink skin knocks out other circulatory problems, like diabetes. There are other things, though, like leperoucey that effect the nerves but not the blood. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-body-temperature/82204/4 "2001-09-17T19:14:03Z")
Consider getting a complete physical, and ask to have your thyroid checked. And ignore the poster who said you couldn’t have diabetes but might have leprosy. Qadgop, MD ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-body-temperature/82204/5 "2001-09-17T19:16:42Z")
Well, ignore his/her advice, anyway. You don’t have to ignore him/her if you don’t want to. No offense, **am/pm** , but what you say doesn’t make sense from a medical standpoint.