The British Summer Heat Wave!! : We know it won't... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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The British Summer Heat Wave!!

Snoddyoddbod profile image
16 Replies

We know it won't last long but was wondering what people with Graves' etc do to cope with the heat.

As we are ultra sensitive to heat wondered if people could share their ideas x

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Snoddyoddbod profile image
Snoddyoddbod
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16 Replies
Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious

I'm finding this heatwave unbearable. I've showered twice today but after a short while I'm back to square one. I'm sitting in front of a fan right now. I also freeze a hot water bottle and keep it under my feet as they get so hot especially at night. Drinking lots of water during the day aswell. Other than that I don't know what else I can do.

Going outside even for a few minutes is impossible for me as I end up with a sun induced rash. This happens through thin clothes too!

EDIT: Just wanted to clarify that I am hypo and have Hashimoto's.

Boohbette17 profile image
Boohbette17 in reply toSerendipitious

Hashi girl here - in Ohio - we too have been extra hot for our area , 90's 4 days straight so far.., YUCK! I too can barely tolerate AND I wear support ( compression pantyhose) for my varicose veins :(

I drink water w/lemon - obviosly, try to do errands once night is setting in for some shade. I also try to add vit C supplement or foods ( red peppers/chestnuts/oranges) as they help the adrenals which by default help us cope. Hugs💐

PS sorry for the edit need... Cant see my keys ( must be the heat!!😜)

purple64 profile image
purple64

I was just going to ask the same question . I have been so thirsty drinking lots of water. Feeling exhausted though yet not tired if that makes sense.

Justiina profile image
Justiina

I do not know how it works for hyper but generally cold shower for example isn't the best way to cope in heat as cold shower triggers inner heating system.

Over here in Finland we go to sauna when it's very warm because it triggers inner cool system. Eating warm meal concentrate blood flow to bowel. Chili etc.

So warm not necessarily hot shower , your skin reacts to that better than to surrounding temperature even though it would be quite the same. That triggers cooling down.

But then again good old frozen sheets might be better for others. Put your bedding into a freezer and at least for a while get nice feeling.

PS we finns do most stuff wrong way anyway. During the coldest winter we go snow swimming or walk on the snow bare foot as it improves circulation!

I am semi heat intolerant apparently hypo based on tests. Never been hyper.

Boohbette17 profile image
Boohbette17 in reply toJustiina

I like your advise!! Thanks👍

Saggyuk profile image
Saggyuk

not graves but hypo with temp control issues lol - always cold but always too hot once it gets one degree over that one specific level I would be neither lol.

If you get a washing up/sink tub thing or similar and fill with cold water up to ankles, you can watch TV or eat dinner at the table with feet in and will keep you cool. Might not be very practical but can get longer periods at a more comfortable level - it works trust me lol. More Temporary fix would be to run wrist under cold water for a little while. THe wrist and ankles are the places where your blood runs the nearest to the surface so cooling these areas will help to cool the temp of your blood.

Go to bed wet with wet hair after a shower to find it easier to fall asleep, no man made sheets/bedding or clothes. I also keep a garden water spray bottle and mist myself continuously.

Even more impractical - You can do as my pets do and lie on slate or marble lol or even better you can surround yourself with unprocessed/untreated sheep smelling wool which is a natural temp regulator and walk around like a sheep :-P I do actually have bedding, pillow and mattress topper made out of this stuff and does really really help - I maintain the same temp in bed all year round with the same thin blanket winter or summer so just ask if you want links to non processed ones - they are amazing and the company's great too. Only smelt sheepy for a couple of months much to my daughter's disgust lol!! They are also great for couples who have different temp requirements.

Boohbette17 profile image
Boohbette17 in reply toSaggyuk

Oh Ms.Saggyuk, you made me laugh so!! You are dead on with your advise & written in such a pleasant way!! Thanks😊

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear

I'm Hashi too and I will testify that the feet in a washing up bowl of cold water trick really does work, as does a cold wet towel over the head and neck. The first cools your blood in general and the second stops your head from exploding! I've also invested in a cool air system which uses cold water (add ice to make it colder) to blow cold air at you, which works a treat!

Boohbette17 profile image
Boohbette17 in reply toZephyrbear

Head exploding feeling... Im familiar! I shall give it a go😃

Northie profile image
Northie

I mainly just sweat heaps, drink water, try to avoid being out in the hottest part of day and look decidedly unattractive with my red face etc.The upside is that when it cools down I tend to think I look hugely attractive minus the red face.....cough....ok, ok, I will go for presentable at the very minimum.

Wishing you well ladies.

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious in reply toNorthie

The odd thing with me is that I hardly sweat at all. I feel like I'm overheating but my body isn't doing much to cool me down.

Feeldogruff profile image
Feeldogruff in reply toSerendipitious

Me too! Never sweat! Yet hypothyroid---swing from bad ,irritable to insanely happy--- on 75mg levo. Doc insists I'm depressed.

Snoddyoddbod profile image
Snoddyoddbod in reply toFeeldogruff

Depressed my derrière !!! Polite version. They call it depression as it a way of not dealing with the obvious!!!

Saggyuk profile image
Saggyuk in reply toSerendipitious

Yes, I'm the same - never sweat - my internal body just seems to get hotter and hotter??

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious in reply toSaggyuk

Are you optimally medicated? I wonder if that's the reason behind it. I'm still struggling.

Saggyuk profile image
Saggyuk in reply toSerendipitious

Not quite - had a few issues that seems to have been caused by no T4 but took a while to work out and had to stay hypo with tsh of 10-12 for half a year to avoid worse but hopefully resolved now but still need an increase. However, I've been optimally medicated for many years before and never made a difference lol - always been that way but then always had issues, temp was certainly improved a little after going GF and I'm trying to get vits optimal now so will see if makes a difference :-)

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