What does a low body temperature after a seizure indicate?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

A low body temperature after a seizure, known as postictal hypothermia, may occur due to disruptions in the brain's ability to regulate body temperature during and after seizure activity. The hypothalamus, which controls thermoregulation, can be temporarily affected by seizure-related neurological changes, leading to a drop in core body temperature. While this connection has been observed, more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and clinical significance.

Because a low body temperature after a seizure can signal an underlying issue that needs attention, it's important not to guess about what's causing your symptoms. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you better understand what may be happening in your body and guide you toward the right next steps—whether that's monitoring at home or seeking medical care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Understand why your body temperature is low Discover if low body temperature is serious Find causes of temperature changes after seizure See OTC options for low body temperature Find a doctor for seizure recovery concerns Learn home remedies for low body temperature Find out if seizure caused the cold feeling

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Explanation

After a seizure, changes in body temperature can occur due to how the brain manages temperature during these events. Thermoregulation, or the body's ability to maintain its internal temperature, can be impacted in epilepsy. This means that after a seizure, the body may not control temperature as well as usual.

Key Points:

Thermoregulation in Epilepsy: The brain's ability to regulate temperature can be affected during seizures, leading to changes in body temperature.
Research Insights: While seizures can sometimes cause an increase in body temperature, there is limited information specifically about low body temperature following a seizure. More research is necessary to fully understand why this happens.

Understanding these changes is important for managing and caring for individuals with epilepsy. If you have concerns about seizures or body temperature changes, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help assess your symptoms before consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

(References)

Pollandt S, & Bleck TP. (2018). Thermoregulation in epilepsy. Handbook of clinical neurology, 30459037.
Atkins CM, Truettner JS, Lotocki G, Sanchez-Molano J, Kang Y, Alonso OF, et al. (2010). Post-traumatic seizure susceptibility is attenuated by .... The European journal of neuroscience, 21044182.
Liu Z, Gatt A, Mikati M, & Holmes GL. (1993). Effect of temperature on kainic acid-induced seizures. Brain research, 8298996.

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