Could this be thyroid related?

[drlabman]

This is a long shot. I'm a 60 year old male and I'm trying to find out why, when I wake in the morning, I start to sweat. It's not profuse, it's not during my sleep, and it's not because I'm hot. It's like a cold sweat. It starts the minute I wake properly - like someone has started my engine. I'm also tired all the time and often nap in the afternoon. It doesn't happen when I wake from an afternoon nap or if I wake up during the night. I've been diagnosed with vestibular neuritis but I don't see that this is explained by that diagnosis. I have IBS (apparently, or at least digestion issues) and take omeprazole for GERD. I'm wondering if this sweating could be thyroid related but it's a long shot because I don't suffer many of the common symptoms. Also, the bloods I've had done over the last couple of years haven't shown a problem. Desperately grasping at straws here. Anyone?

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum. Many have been told they don't have a thyroid problem in the UK because we have to have a TSH that reaches 10 before being diagnosed. In other parts of the world we are diagnosed when TSH reaches 3+.

Our metabolism is affected by dysfunctions of the thyriod gland. There is hyper-thyroid, hypo-thyroid, and an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (commonly called hashimoto's).

You can have a private blood test for TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid Antibodies. We have two private labs that will do home pin-prick ones. Blood draw has to be at the earliest, fasting and if you were taking thyroid hormones you'd allow a gap of 24 hours before blood draw. Make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before. I shall give you a list of symptoms and tick off the ones you have:

This is for hypothyroidism:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Hyperthyroidism:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate and post your results with the ranges for both hormones and vits/minerals on a new post for comments.

[drlabman in reply to shaws]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I've done a private at home prick test in the past, for B12, but I have to say it wasn't a great success (and it showed low haemoglobin which was perfect when re-tested by my GP a couple of weeks later). Not sure that I did it correctly, or quickly enough, or something.

As I mentioned, I don't match many of the hypo or hyper symptoms and they seem to conflict. For example, I feel I'm more sensitive to heat (hyper) but I certainly haven't lost weight!

[shaws Administrator in reply to drlabman]

All of our vitamins and minerals have also to be at an optimal and we need them tested. Deficiencies can give us symptoms.

[Kipsy]

I'm not medically trained but my 81 year old mum was put on omeprazole a couple of months back. She has also had symptoms of B12 deficiency in the past so when I read somewhere that omeprazole can inhibit the absorption of B12, it caught my eye. Thankfully she's now off it but as you mentioned a Medichecks B12 result and omeprazole in the same post, I just thought I'd post. I don't have a link and can't remember where I read about it I'm afraid so feel free to ignore!

[silverfox7]

Read up on the PPI. they are not supposed to be long term either and I feel cause more problems for some. They are also addictive so you need to be weaned off them slowly when you do stop.

[JennyWrenn4 in reply to silverfox7]

Sorry to butt in - have been on these for years and have a huge problem with reflux when I do not take them. If I am 'addicted' then what do I do? My esophagus was a real mess when they did a gastro on me which is why I was prescribed them. Would really appreciate any constructive input. Many thanks

[drlabman in reply to silverfox7]

Thanks, but I've already done a load of reading about PPIs and their potential effect on B12 because I've been taking omeprazole for 25 years. I was convinced my issues were B12 related but my bloods say otherwise. I don't think "addictive" is the correct term. Certainly, there is a rebound effect if you suddenly stop but it's not the same as withdrawal from a real addiction. My reflux returns within a few hours if I forget to take mine, so stopping isn't an option.