Hot flushes

[Peachandcream]

Hello. I’m in my 70s. I have an under active thyroid. Recently I have been suffering with hot flushes. Could anyone advise me what to do. I stand in front of a fan in the morning, which helps to a certain extent. I drink plenty of water. Don’t know what else .

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results

Low B12 often linked to night sweats

Low B12 common when hypothyroid, and low B12 common as we get older

[Kenty224 in reply to SlowDragon]

That’s interesting . I am on 175 thyroxine maybe next time I have a blood test I will ask doctor to include test for b12 as I am having both hot flushes and night sweats

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kenty224]

You should get vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested annually

Privately if GP won’t

On levothyroxine we need optimal vitamin levels

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

Teva brand upsets many people

[Kenty224 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi thanks fir your reply In the UK we always get the same brand of thyroxine on prescription. Will ask doctor to include b12 etc on next blood form

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kenty224]

Many patients rarely get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription in U.K. unless prescription specifies actual brand or you have a helpful pharmacy

[Kenty224 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have had same box for years perhaps I have been lucky

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

[Peachandcream in reply to SlowDragon]

My goodness, you certainly know your stuff. It’s all beyond me. I will try to catch up with the information you have provided. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Peachandcream]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results.

Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Far too often only TSH is tested

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Valerie0106]

Perhaps you are asking whether there may be a link to your thyroid condition and if so what it may be?

[Kenty224]

Morning I was interested in your post. I am also 70 and feel like I am going through the menopause again having both hot flushes and night sweats taking 175 thyroxine gp not interested as she says results are ok . It would be great to get back into seeing a doctor instead of just phone calls hopefully we will get back to normal appointments soon..take care😀

[Mozzymoo22]

I'm 72 and still get hot flushes. I asked my gp and he said some people just get them. Since my b12 levels are better I'm getting them a lot less

[Peachandcream in reply to Mozzymoo22]

Thank you all for your reassuring comments. I currently take b12 vitamins .I will research more. Thank you.

[SamanthaVictory]

This may be completely irrelevant to you but I was getting hot flashes when I was taking a daily magnesium supplement so as people have mentioned it's worth considering if you're taking anything else.

[Auntyp62]

I am in my 70s and get hot flushes when my vitamin d drops

[Hidden]

I have had all my vitamin levels tested, they are all good. I get awful day and night sweating all the time, I have to change clothes and bed clothes numerous times. I think this is the most uncomfortable part of my illness. When I eat I suddenly turn red all over and sweat drips off my hands. I just started using brand name levothyroxin to see if that helps. I suspect that my chronic leukemia is causing trouble with my thyroid, possibly damaging the cells? My Thyroid P'dase Ab level is VERY high, which no one can explain.

[Peachandcream in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear your problems, really hope you get the support you need. Best of luck for the future.

[lolajone]

I have also recently started getting flushes and night sweats again, ditto to standing in front of a fan in the morning. But am on HRT and feel like HRT not working or need dose increase. I’m wondering if there is a link to having the COVID vaccine? I’ve read that the vaccine is affecting periods so may also effect in terms of HRT dose?

[Peachandcream in reply to lolajone]

Good point, didn’t think of that.

[Hidden]

Could it be that they are related to your sex hormone levels? Are you on HRT?My doctor told me that women who start on HRT after 60 have less success getting rid of remaining symptoms such as hot flushes than women who are started on it already during perimenopause. Other doctors will only prescribe HRT for a few years.

I am on HRT but recently added another product to avoid having to take higher doses of HRT as symptoms seem to worsen:

herbactive.co.uk/flushes-a-...

This has removed remaining symptoms and improved my sleep. I felt immediate improvement. I take other tonics from this supplier and can vouch for the high quality of these products (originally recommended to me by another forum member).

[Peachandcream in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I’m not on HRT. I will certainly research the link you gave me. Thank you.