Temps with Digital Thermometer

Momofapeanut · #1 May 23rd, 2007, 07:15 AM

I've been using a digital thermometer and I usually do 2 or 3 times because I don't really trust the thing (or myself that early in the morning) I like to double check.

Well I've always been taking the "lowest" temp I get to repeat. Which isn't always the first one. Is this right? Does it matter as long as I do it consistently?

TeresaSuperMama · #2 May 23rd, 2007, 08:30 AM

I would just use the first temp. I don't think it is a good idea to retemp like that. I think your chart will be less accurate.

Teresa

Momofapeanut · #3 May 23rd, 2007, 08:35 AM

I think the thermometer sucks. It doesn't always beep..

#4 May 23rd, 2007, 08:40 AM

No matter what you should use the first temp hun.

4 Butterflies · #5 May 23rd, 2007, 12:01 PM

I agree. I'd use the first temp. If you don't trust your therm, go buy another one. Are you using a BBT?

Momofapeanut · #6 May 23rd, 2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

I agree. I'd use the first temp. If you don't trust your therm, go buy another one. Are you using a BBT?[/b]

It's just a regular digital thermometer. I can't seem to find a mercury bbt anywhere.

Plus it has an accuracy of 0.2 degrees

which seems awfully inaccurate to me.

4 Butterflies · #7 May 23rd, 2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quote:

I agree. I'd use the first temp. If you don't trust your therm, go buy another one. Are you using a BBT?[/b]

It's just a regular digital thermometer. I can't seem to find a mercury bbt anywhere.

Plus it has an accuracy of 0.2 degrees

which seems awfully inaccurate to me.
[/b]

Yes I agree. I'd go get a digital BBT. You can get them at the drugstore or can order one online. Try this website http://www.earlypregnancytests.com

Momofapeanut · #8 May 24th, 2007, 07:39 AM

Thanks! I'm gonna order one today

I think my temps are just all wrong. So this month, charting is just for fun. Next cycle I'll get it right!

NutMeg76 · #9 May 24th, 2007, 07:18 PM

Hmmm, you said that your therm measures to .2, but you have 88.1 and 98.5 marked which means the therm measures in one tenth increments. Usually, as long as you have good batteries and the therm works correctly that is fine. If it is a quick read therm, like it give syou a temp in 9 seconds, it won't work well. But, if it takes a while, so the temp in your mouth can stabilize a regular thermometer is ok, especially if you are charting to conceive. I used a regular thermometer for the first 6 years of charting, and never had a problem, even when we were trying to avoid. I use a BBT one now just because it is a different color and my kids know the pink one is 'mommies special thermometer' and they can't play with it.

Momofapeanut · #10 May 25th, 2007, 05:27 AM

It measures to tenths, what I was saying is that the "instructions" state that the thermometer has an accuracy of +/- 0.2 degrees F. And it's supposed to beep after 8 sec, however, it doesn't always beep. It's brand new out of the package.

PuzzledAngel · #11 May 25th, 2007, 07:41 AM

always use the first temp.
Try getting a new therm but you have to wait till you start a new cycle before using it

Momofapeanut · #12 May 29th, 2007, 12:37 PM

Just wanted to update that I got my BBT digital in the mail this weekend and I tested it against the regular one I was using and they were DRASTICALLY different. The one I bought was a brand name too, and it's crap!! I tested over the past couple of days... both thermometers at the same time.. and it was typically .5 degrees and more off! And it's not consistently off either. It's all over the place!

The BBT one I bought had readings up to 1/100th and accuracy up to 1/10th (which also makes more sense) I'll be starting with that one next cycle.. for now I'll just finish out with this one. Stupid thermometer had me thinking my thyroid was all a mess again!!! Here it's just totally inaccurate and unreliable!

#13 May 29th, 2007, 12:51 PM

If its that much off I would deff use your other one next cycle hun! Glad you caught it now and didnt do like 3-4 cycles with it!

NutMeg76 · #14 May 29th, 2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

It measures to tenths, what I was saying is that the "instructions" state that the thermometer has an accuracy of +/- 0.2 degrees F. And it's supposed to beep after 8 sec, however, it doesn't always beep. It's brand new out of the package.[/b]

Ah, the 8 seconds is the problem. The thermomter has to have enough time to stabilize in temp before it is finished reading. If it only takes 8 seconds it is much less accurate. If it was a reg therm that ook more time, say 20 sec, or more the way a BBT does it would be more accurate.

I used a BD brand therm for AGES, without a prblem. THen I los tmine a bought a new one. Well, the new one was crap, same brand and I didn't understand why it didn't seem accurate. It was not accurate because it only took 9 seconds to beep. So if it was cold in my room the temp would be low. If I use my BD brand BBT, or even my old BD brand ( I found it...lol) they are almost always the same temp because they both take time to stabilize before the beep, if it is cold in my room they take longer to finish taking my temp because the warm up from my mouth.

Momofapeanut · #15 May 30th, 2007, 05:54 AM

Yeah, I'm definately glad that was caught.

I think your right about the time to stabilize. I did start noticing that with the temps. Kinda bummed that my temps are pretty much useless this month. o well.