Which thermometer is best to use for taking my basal body temperature (BBT)?
At the Fertility and IVF Acupuncture Clinic it is recommended you use a mercurial thermometer. Dr Wilson has noticed there is less of a chance of an incorrect reading with mercurial thermometers. These are however difficult to find. If one cannot be found, ask your pharmacist for a digital thermometer specifically designed for BBT purposes.
In the past, some patients at the Fertility and IVF Acupuncture Clinic have used battery operated digital thermometers and as a result, they have ended up with inaccurate BBT charts. Battery-operated digital thermometers have two main shortcomings. Firstly, inaccurate readings can happen when the batteries start to weaken. Secondly, they may have calibration problems. Both of these potential problems will mostly go unnoticed and will result in inaccurate BBT charting. If your digital thermometer is brand new, it is unlikely you will have a problem. If it is an older thermometer, consider buying a new one.
The most important thing to remember with all the thermometers is to carefully read and follow the instructions. It sounds simple, but it is surprising how many people do not consider reading the instructions. As a result, their temperature is taken incorrectly. Reading the instructions is especially important with a mercurial thermometer as you need to know how long it will take for the thermometer to produce an accurate reading.
If your BBT chart seems irregular, ask Dr Wilson and he will discuss potential thermometer issues with you during one of your consultations.
