Hypo and sweaty- Confused

[StillEverHopeful]

As I say in the title says I'm hypo (under medicated at last tests previously posted and waiting for retest next week) but am very sweaty (or very cold). The confusion isn't brain fog but not understanding why.

This is not a new symptom even before diagnosis I was saying it was like my body thermostat regulate was broken, but now we have the warm weather I am just so sweaty and wanting lots of fresh air. If windows closed I feel I'm not getting enough air (currently are as in-laws visiting and don't like a draft They are so worried by drafts they are wearing vests and jumpers...but most older folk around me aren't so wrapped up)

Is it "just my age" (54 female, periods stopped in last 6 months) or is it part of being hypothyroid? I daren't ask my GP, its was tough enough getting them to agree to include T4 & T3 at nest TSH test and would no doubt confuse them and start talking about HRT- been there done that didn't help.

Thank you for your help

[rosserk]

Hi StillEverHopeful, I have exactly the same problems but find it got better and better with each increase of Levo. I was diagnosed in January and I don’t think I’ve reached the right level of medication yet because my symptoms improve for a while with dose changes but return when my dose needs increasing. I’m starting to recognise the sweating as a sign I need to request an increase in dose. So far my blood tests have confirmed this to be the case.

I thought the sweating was something I’d have to live with for the rest of my life and it was becoming unbearable! It’s the craziest feeling on the outside I’m freezing cold to the touch and clammy all over but my temperature hovers between 35- 36 and I feel as if someone’s switched on my internal radiator full blast! I can literally feel something going on internally the feeling is horrendous! You can’t explain it to anyone who hasn’t been affected they think you’re nuts! I also feel like I can’t breath and I’m suffocating. It’s one of the worse symptoms but definitely improving the closer I get to optimal medication. When I tried to explain it to my Doctor before diagnosis he said “you’ll feel better in the winter”! I burst into tears and never went back to him again.

Hope things get better for you soon and you reach the right level of medication quickly. 💐💐

[StillEverHopeful in reply to rosserk]

Thanks. 18months in and struggle to get gp to increase dose... seeing different gp next month so hopefully he will help

[greygoose]

It certainly does sound as if you're under-medicated. Being sweaty can be a hypo symptom. But being cold and lacking air certainly are. Yes, your thermostat is broken! But it can get better on the right dose.

When you have your next test, make sure the blood draw is early in the morning - before 9 am - and fast over-night. Leave a 24 hour gap between the last dose of levo and the blood draw. And, most important, don't forget to ask for a print-out of your results when the doctor has seen them. It is your legal right to have one.

[StillEverHopeful in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose! Yes have got into the habit of overnight fasting, delaying levo and stopping biotin 5 days before.

They have even agreed to test T4 and T3 on NHS!!!

It was so good to hear you and others say symptoms were linked to under medicated.

I intended to thank you earlier but was distracted by family visiting.... thanks

[greygoose in reply to StillEverHopeful]

You're very welcome.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Could be menopause, but when you are hypo and undermedicated your body produces more adrenaline to keep you going - which cause sweating, anxiety and sometimes the shakes. If you have bad menopause symptoms, consider bioidentical HRT.

[StillEverHopeful in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks, Your explanation about hypo and adrenaline make sense as I can feel shaky when I first wake.

If it’s menopause I’m happy to put up with it, sometimes just understanding what’s happening is enough and knowing it could be part of being hypo is helpful.

I know from my last test (that receptionist told me was fine) that I am under medicated. I had just had a small increase of levo and get retested next week and am trying to collate things so I can return and say “more please”

Thank you for your help I would have said thanks sooner but family visiting distracted me. X

[humanbean]

Another thing you need to get checked is whether or not you are anaemic. If your haemoglobin level or number of red blood cells is low then your body can't carry around enough oxygen, so people feel as if they can't get enough air - otherwise known as "air hunger".

[StillEverHopeful in reply to humanbean]

Thanks.

At first diagnosis ferritin was below range and even with supplements not got it above 60 - as far as gp concerned computer says all is ok 😂🤥 haemaglobin has always beet top of or just over range.

Also high b12, low folate and just below range mean cell volume. Am going to post results to PA group and see what they can advise. Will be preparing print out of things that need discussing to take to appointment, they seem to listen better/ take action with it all laid out in print and with sources

[humanbean]

Low MCV is usually an indicator of iron deficiency, so you should follow up further. It is perfectly possible to have sufficient ferritin but still be short of serum iron. But when iron and ferritin are out of balance it isn't automatically a good idea to supplement - you need to know what you are doing to be sure that supplementation is the right thing to do.

Having good B12 is not beneficial unless the body has sufficient folate to help the body make use of the B12 that you have.

Something that may be of interest regarding folate :

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

[StillEverHopeful in reply to humanbean]

Thanks.

It was the GP that prescribed iron.

My mother also had problems with low ferritin, that she hasn’t been able to get sorted since moving to different NHS trust. I do wonder if there is hereditary aspect.

I’ll be pushing the need for GP to do joined up thinking with the iron/thyroid which will also bring in questions about b12 folate & MCV BUT making sure I know the answers so I can tell if they actually know about it.

[humanbean in reply to StillEverHopeful]

I'm sure there is a hereditary basis to difficulties absorbing iron.

All the females on my mother's side of the family are constantly struggling to overcome iron deficiency anaemia, and even a couple of my male cousins have struggled with it too.