Hypo with hot flashes...

[artemesia3]

Does anyone suffer from this? I'm post menopausal and my core temperature is still around 36.3, but I have an inability to deal with heat. I had it last summer too. When I exert myself or get hot, I have a ridiculously over the top response and the sweat pours off me. Nice huh?!

I'm on 37.5 mcg T3 and have been on only T3 for some time. In the past, I have tried increasing right up to 75mcg or lowering as far as 25mcg, but with no obvious changes to any of my symptoms. My pulse and blood pressure are fine so I know I'm not over medicated.

I know I have low cortisol which I support, but everything else is in range.

Can anyone advise, please ?

Thanks..

[Aurealis]

I found that an increase in dose helped, or at least the problem was less if dose was high enough. Have you cut out caffeine and alcohol? I found this made the most difference. Also cutting out spicy food and eating healthily. Then just when you think life's not sounding much fun (!) , add in some exercise. I found that an early morning swim caused a definite improvement. So a mixture of little changes add together to make an overall improvement. I don't think you'll get rid of the problem completely with these measures, but I got a lot of improvement. I don't do supplements, but someone else maybe able to advise on these.

[artemesia3 in reply to Aurealis]

Thanks for the advice, Aurealis.

I try to eat healthily but do have a couple of cups of coffee a day and am very lacking on the exercise front! I'll take your advice on board.

It's just good to know I'm not the only one!

[Aurealis in reply to artemesia3]

Good luck, this time will pass...

[marram]

I'm 69 and I still get them, I had a hysterectomy at age 38 or thereabouts so you would think by now it would have settled, but no!

The only thing which helps me is Progesterone cream - Wellsprings Serenity which is recommended by Dr BDP and can be bought on the internet.

[artemesia3]

Oh boy...not that easy to get rid of then.

I did try the Serenity cream about 2 years ago (in perimenopause) and had to stop after I had a non stop period for weeks and weeks (sorry for the excessive detail!).

A recent 24 hr oestrogen / progesterone test shows both are normal for post menopause and "no action required with additional hormones" (according to Dr BDP).

My endo, on the other hand, wanted me to trial HRT - but I've so far managed to avoid this... Dr BDP thought it would be a big mistake.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to artemesia3]

You are right. You definitely don't want conventional HRT - the estrogen is a product of animal cruelty and the progestin (no, it isn't progesterone) is implicated in all sorts of diseases, including cancer. Natural (bioidentical) HRT is fine and protective against breast cancer and heart disease according to studies. If you are now post menopause, you might find that you can use natural progesterone and estriol creams. If your progesterone is low or your estrogen too high (which it often is), you might find that Agnus Castus helps.

[sazzyb]

I sympathise. I was the same for at least a couple of years before diagnosed Hypo and for a couple of years after, before it calmed down. Talk about my 'inner thermostat' going haywire, it was a nightmare. I've read that it often occurs with fibromyalgia but other than that I can't help, sorry.

[artemesia3]

Thanks Angel and sazzyb. It very much looks like I have to put up and shut up, for the time being ! Hopefully things will improve as time goes on. Thank you all for your input.

[TSH110]

I used to get them really bad on Levothyroxine like you I am post menopausal and hypothyroid. I switched to NDT self medicating and they have reduced massively I still might get a couple in the evening but not the endless assault I had before on Levo day and night. There must be something in the NDT that helps regulate body temperature better. I understand it is the mitochondria in the cells needing to be in balance where their energy production is concerned. Hope you get some relief thru suggestions here

[artemesia3]

Oh that's interesting, TSH110. I'm on T3 only and have dabbled on NDT but not really given it a chance as Dr P seemed to think it wouldn't help me as much as T3 ( I'm afraid I forget the reason).

I wonder if I should reconsider?