Perspiring problem

[Kimkat]

I have met a lady at the gym who sweats profusely at the slightest exertion and finds it really embarrassing, her friend has told her that she thinks she may have thyroid issues. I asked her if she had ever had her bloods tested and she said that her TSH was 5.35 but wasn’t sure if there were any other readings, she didn’t think there was. At the moment my brain fog is off the scale and I am finding it difficult to make sense of anything but because she knows I have thyroid problems she asked if I could give her any info. I did say I wasn’t qualified but she is really stressing about it and her gp doesn’t seem very helpful. The only time I’ve ever perspired heavily was when I was hyper, many years ago. Can anyone give me any advice that I could pass onto her?

[radd]

Kimkat,

TSH of over 5 is high and it would be useful to assess thyroid hormone levels.

Suggest she runs her own private thyroid panel as it’s unlikely her GP would test FT3 anyway. 

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

With two blood tests with TSH over 5 and symptoms her GP could/should trial her on Levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart 

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

She should ask GP to retest thyroid levels

Tell her to book early morning test (ideally just before 9am) for highest TSH

For full Thyroid evaluation she needs TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested 

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once 

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease 

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

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 and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If she can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29 

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Excess Sweating and hypothyroid

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[Kimkat in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I’ll pass this info on

[RedApple Administrator]

 Kimkat 'Can anyone give me any advice that I could pass onto her?'

Probably the absolute best advice would be to tell her to join us here on the forum. 😊

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

I was sooo sweaty from teens onwards and had my armpits operated on in my 30s and was still sweaty afterwards. Endocrinologist at the time said I swung either side of normal, probably related to pregnancy. Roll forward 18 years, new GP discovers sub clinical, find this forum, get treated, learn about autoimmune and I now only sweat when I’m either very nervous, pre menstrual or very hot (so normal). I think some of us with Hashimoto’s where’s we swing hyper/hypo over the years have this. Wish her well from me, give her a sweaty hug, I spent years wearing black viscose and feeling embarrassed. I would have benefited from a kind friend like you searching for answers 🌱

[Kimkat in reply to Regenallotment]

Thank you for your reply, did you sweat all over? After 2-3 minutes on the treadmill she is literally bathed in sweat, I do feel for her.

[birkie in reply to Kimkat]

Hi kimkat❤️

I sweated like that... Still am😢 but mine was hyper graves even though I've had my thyroid removed I still sweat profusely, even just getting a cup of tea in my kitchen it's like I've ran a marathon to get there, and my heart beats out of my chest🏃‍♀️😭 my hair is soaking wet 🤦‍♀️ there are many causes for profuse sweating and the gp latched on to the menupause with me, he was wrong as it was an overactive thyroid, but an overactive parathyroid hormone can cause sweating to, I was recently diagnosed with this so that's maby why I am still sweating, as some members have mentioned hypo can cause sweating, which I was surprised about as its not mentioned on the NHS web site as a symptom of hypo... Only hyper.. 🤷‍♀️

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Kimkat]

armpits and crotch are the main for me, but if I do a gym session or go in a sauna yay it’s a whole body experience, face, palms. If you look up hyperhydrosis there are loads of types. I’ve had my parathyroid investigated too, they saw something on a scan but nothing unusual in blood tests. It’s definitely improved with my raised T3. Through having autoimmune I’ve had both hyper and hypo episodes and it’s definitely worse when I’m a hyper. When I was recently over medicated (under supervision) I got all sweaty so I now know that’s a good indicator for me. 🌱