Less thyroid issues in hot countries?

[Secretartist]

So I live in the UK and normally have a lot of problems with hashimotos hypothyroidism, mainly brain fog and severe exhaustion. It means I'm incapable of doing anything strenuous a lot of the time because I just get too tired. I'm currently on holiday in Australia and my symptoms have improved 100%...i feel like I used to before I got ill and I'm able to do so much more... Does anyone know if there is a link with the sun and hashimotos?

Thanks. Lissy x

[Marz]

I am sure there is a positive connection. Also the link between VitD and the thyroid - VitD being more than a Vitamin. Many of us feel better when the sun shines. 😎 I have read that wearing sunglasses all the time has lowered D levels generally - a modern fashion accessory ! Sorry have not posted links to relevant information - not to hand on my phone !

I have lived in Crete since 2004 so know my energy slumps when the sun goes in ... think we are all solar charged 😊

[MissGrace in reply to Marz]

I think the warmth helps too - we are not expending as much energy on body temperature. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[crimple]

I agree with Marz. I am always happiest and have more energy when in Spain

[MaisieGray]

I don't think you can generalise. There are plenty of Australian members in other forum complaining of feeling unwell and having ongoing symptoms in exactly the same way as UK and US thyroid patients, to disprove the idea that sun plus thyroid will always be a positive. As someone who had sweat dripping off the end of my nose and down my back a week or so ago whilst out in zero degrees, I doubt it would suit me. But for those that enjoy being on holiday, there is a very real psychological benefit which can directly impact how we feel physically, for all the well rehearsed reasons. So sun/high temperature alone may not be the sole factor, but if you are in a part of Australia where the climate is more of a dry heat - it has several different climate zones - you may be feeling the benefit of not suffering the effects of UK damp or antipodean humidity. I doubt it's the sun per se, more the climate that's benefiting you right now; and in fact, as is the case here, many Australians do not have adequate vitamin D levels, especially during winter.

[diogenes Remembering]

I wouldn't say that there are less thyroid problems in hot countries, but that the reasons are different. Predominantly in temperate countries, autoimmune disease predominates as a cause of hypothyroidism. Elsewhere it's predominately owing to lack of iodine though of course A.I.D also occurs.