Sweating: Hi I am 40 years old and have been... - Thyroid UK

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Sweating

diane76 profile image
5 Replies

Hi

I am 40 years old and have been suffering with excessive sweating since puberty. Having read some of the symptoms of thryoid issues i seem to have quite a few of these symptoms. I have made an appointment at the doctors but i am wondering what kind of treatment there is? I have tried all the lotions and creams etc that are supposed to help with sweating but nothing seems to work.

Thanks

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diane76 profile image
diane76
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bluebug profile image
bluebug

Funnily enough I started connecting years ago with someone who suffered from excessive sweating on social media. For years on the NHS he was offered botox injections into the areas where he sweated profusely then about 4 years ago this was withdrawn as too costly and so he was left to fund it himself. He doesn't have thyroid issues but then ended up with a more serious condition that is not related to the sweating.

In your case as you are on a thyroid forum you need to get your doctor to check that you don't have a thyroid condition or some other conditions like diabetes. So when you see the GP make sure you don't have any blood tests done there and then as you want them done earliest in the morning after fasting over night for 12 hours. You can drink water and eat immediately after your appointment. This is because thyroid hormones are highest in the morning plus if the doctor is also doing a glucose test a fasting glucose test is best to get a base line.

As most GPs don't take blood any more you should be OK doing this as you either have to make a phlebotomy appointment or go to your local hospital.

Be aware that some GPs will dismiss you as making up your symptoms and the only blood test they do will be a full blood count, while saying they have tested to see if there is anything wrong as this is one of the cheapest tests they can do.

Either way wait 5 days after the tests and request a copy of your test results. Simply say if challenged by the receptionist that you want them for your own health records and it is your right under the Data Protection Act 1998. If you need any more help in obtaining them post a new thread.

diane76 profile image
diane76 in reply to bluebug

Thanks, i do sometimes feel that the Doctor is reluctant to do tests and dont take me seriously, saying its just the way i am but there must be something wrong.

Im sitting at work sweating and im not even doing anything strenuous. I will let you know how i get on at the doctors but at least i have something to suggest to them.

bluebug profile image
bluebug in reply to diane76

GPs do dismiss a lot of people especially women and young people telling them they are making up their symptoms. This causes delayed diagnosis which ends up costing the NHS much more. The reason not to do the tests is because doing tests on younger people means that over half the GP's annual budget on for that person is spent on those tests.

Anyway if other people have noticed you have a sweating issue make sure you tell the GP clearly that other people have noticed, who they are e.g. work colleagues, worried strangers on public transport and whether they offered to take you to A&E. The latter is important as I was told GPs get fined if they could have treated you but didn't.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Excessive cortisol would cause sweating problems. This might be related to a thyroid problem, but could easily arise independently.

When the body is short of thyroid hormones the body may compensate by substituting with adrenaline and cortisol. Too much adrenaline and cortisol will make you sweat. On the other hand, too little thyroid hormone reduces sweating in many people.

Another factor could be low nutrient levels. You should ask your doctor for testing for iron/ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate. I found that improving my nutrient levels reduced sweating. I am only guessing when I say this may have reduced physiological stress and thus reduced cortisol.

There are too many "ifs and buts" I'm afraid. It's all hypothetical without testing.

diane76 profile image
diane76 in reply to humanbean

Thanks, i now have something else to suggest i am tested for. i will let you know how i get on.

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