Low Body Temperature In Anorexia
What Causes Low Body Temperature?

Low body temperature is a medical condition that can have several possible causes. It also happens to be one of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Hypothermia is the term used to describe the condition where the temperature of your body drops on account of one or more underlying causes.

Low body temperature, is possible even in the absence of any pre-existing medical problems. It's fairly obvious that cold and/or windy conditions can cause or contribute to loss of body heat.

This heightens the risk for those people who live in cold climates.

It can be fatal if a body's temperature falls below 95°F (35°C)

In such cases, a diagnosis of hypothermia might be made -- and within this, there are two types:

• Primary Hypothermia - The body's heat-balancing mechanisms function properly, but there has been some external cause or reason for the change in body heat. (exposure to cold, for example).


• Secondary Hypothermia - Due to impaired body temperature regulation. In this case, the body cannot control its own heating and/or cooling functions. There's usually an underlying medical or mental health condition that is the source of the problem.

Low Body Temperature Causes - Eating Disorders - Anorexia

Outside of environmental changes, low body temperature causes can range from eating disorders like anorexia, to alcoholism, infections, thyroid problems (hypothyroidism), diabetes, certain types of medications, strokes or spinal cord injuries.

In anorexia nervosa, shrinkage of vital organs such as the heart or brain can affect the circulatory system.

As a result, blood flow to various parts of the body (especially the hands and feet) will be impaired. Without proper circulation, the core body temperature could drop.

Anorexics typically have a very low percentage of body fat, and experience increasing sensitivity to cold. Fat insulates our bodies and helps them to retain heat. Without it, we are more prone to feeling cold, and experiencing muscle tension, shivering and shaking.

If this happens once in a while, it's usually not a reason for concern. However, if any low body temperature symptom becomes chronic (ongoing), you should visit your doctor for a check-up.

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