Is 36.7°C Normal Body Temperature?
Yes, 36.7°C (98.1°F) is within the normal range of body temperature and requires no intervention in most clinical contexts.
Normal Temperature Range
The traditional reference point of 37.0°C (98.6°F) as "normal" body temperature is outdated and does not reflect the substantial individual variation that exists in healthy adults 1, 2.
Current evidence establishes the following normal ranges:
- Oral temperature: 35.73-37.41°C (mean range), with a calculated 95% range of 35.61-37.61°C 2
- Overall population mean: 36.1°C (97.0°F), with individual means ranging from 35.2°C to 37.4°C 1
- Rectal temperature: 36.32-37.76°C 2
A temperature of 36.7°C falls comfortably within all established normal ranges and represents a typical body temperature for many healthy individuals 1, 2.
Individual Variation is Substantial
77% of healthy adults have mean temperatures at least 0.55°C (1°F) lower than the traditional 37.0°C reference point 1. This means that 36.7°C is not only normal but actually represents a temperature higher than the personal baseline for most individuals.
Key factors affecting individual baseline temperature include:
- Age: Older adults (≥60 years) have temperatures approximately 0.23°C lower than younger adults 2
- Sex: Women have slightly higher temperatures than men, even when environmental factors are controlled 1
- Time of day: Temperature varies throughout the day, with morning readings typically lower 1
- Individual stability: Each person maintains remarkable thermal stability over time, with their personal baseline remaining consistent across days and weeks 1, 3
Clinical Context Matters
While 36.7°C is normal in most contexts, specific clinical situations require different temperature targets:
In Traumatic Brain Injury
Controlled normothermia (36.0-37.5°C) is recommended as part of Tier 1 and Tier 2 intracranial pressure management 4. A temperature of 36.7°C falls within this therapeutic target range and would be considered optimal for ICP control.
In Trauma Patients
Mild hypothermia begins at temperatures <36°C 4. At 36.7°C, there is no concern for hypothermia-related coagulopathy, which only begins to impair platelet function between 33-37°C, with more significant effects below 33°C 4, 5.
In Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
Current targeted temperature management protocols recommend either 33°C or 36°C as therapeutic targets 4, 6. A temperature of 36.7°C would be slightly above the 36°C target but still within an acceptable range for controlled normothermia 4.
When 36.7°C Requires Attention
This temperature only becomes clinically significant if:
- It represents a decrease of ≥2°F (≥1.1°C) from the patient's known baseline, which would meet criteria for relative hypothermia 7
- The patient is in a clinical context requiring strict temperature control (e.g., severe TBI with ICP management requiring 36.0-37.5°C) 4
- The patient is a trauma victim at risk for the "lethal triad" of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy, though 36.7°C is still above the concerning threshold of <36°C 4, 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not assume 37.0°C is the universal normal temperature - this leads to false reassurance when patients with lower baseline temperatures develop fever, or unnecessary concern when patients with higher baselines appear "hypothermic" 1, 3.
Do not ignore individual baseline variation - unexplained variation in baseline temperature is a significant predictor of mortality (8.4% higher one-year mortality per 0.149°C increase), even after controlling for all measured factors 3.
Do not use a single measurement to define someone's normal temperature - temperature should ideally be measured at yearly doctor visits to establish individual baselines, similar to blood pressure monitoring 1.