Heat intolerance

[bajmon]

Has any of you noticed having heat intolerance since being on levothyroxine?I completely cannot tolerate even few minutes of any activity when the sun is out. Walking, gardening etc makes me so hot so quickly and then I swell.

Last year I ended up at a&e after returning from very hot 4 days in Rome. My legs and ankles looked like elephant legs. Today I've tried to do a little clear out and planting and it's only about 23C and I'm so exhausted, red face, very loud tinnitus, swollen body and feeling like I've ploughed a while field.

Any ideas how to cope. I'm about to go on holidays in Las Vegas where it'll be extremely hot.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

I've been heat/cold intolerant for quite a few years now and plan any holidays accordingly. I doubt that Las Vegas would be on my list. The temperature has to be 'just right' for me.

Getting your thyroid replacment dose is key, as are optimal vitamin levels. Did you get a dose increase after you post 3 months ago? healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[bajmon in reply to GlowCoach]

Hi, I didn't change my dose. TSH 1.78 looked quite good to me.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to bajmon]

People who feel well have a TSH of 1 or just under. If you still have symptoms, which temperature intolerance is one then time to increase your dose.

Anyway I did go to Las Vegas a long time ago before heat was such an issue. Stay indoors in the air conditioning as much as possible and drink lots of water. Enjoy.

[bajmon in reply to GlowCoach]

Yes, I did it 5 years ago before thyroid issues and white still slim and energetic. I feel like Benidorm if not my place now 🤣 I'll increase my dose to see if I feel any better. Thank you

[Doubleelephant]

Hi there

Yes I have become completely heat intolerant and feel I have to go for walks depending on how hot and how exposed the area is. Certainly can't garden in full sun.

I would just take lots of fluids with you when you're out and about (obviously everything indoors will have air conditioning.) I have also started adding electrolytes to my water too to help with thirst and keeping hydrated.

Hope you have a good time and stay cool.

[bajmon in reply to Doubleelephant]

Thank you for reminding me about electrolytes. I was talking then last year after that turn in Rome. I completely forgot and want using it for months. I'm terrible with vitamins too. Back on them from today after 2 months break 🙈

[Doubleelephant in reply to bajmon]

ooh yes its hard to remember everything, but hopefully it helps!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

ESSENTIAL to test TSH, Ft4, Ft3

Plus thyroid antibodies at least once ….testing TPO and TG antibodies for autoimmune thyroid disease

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Santolina]

Every summer I lower my dosage and raise it again in the autumn when the weather is cooler. Research verifies that the thyroid gland reacts to warmer weather. You might feel better with less in a warmer climate.

[bajmon in reply to Santolina]

Someone else suggested I upper my fuse because this is an underactive symptom. Now I'm confused

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to bajmon]

Until you get on an optimal dose you just need to increase at the moment.

[Santolina in reply to bajmon]

your FUSE? I'm underactive too and regularly decrease my dosage when the weather gets warmer. Lots of supporting research.

[PurpleButterfly2]

Hi bajmon

Yes like you I’m extremely sensitive to heat and it has become worse over the years despite being medicated. I love gardening but even a little sunshine makes me sweat badly, makes me feel nauseous and I get tired extremely quickly. My tinnitus is up high. I’m not sure if the Levothyroxine has made it worse as I’ve only been diagnosed with Hashimoto 2 years (although I believe I have had Hashimoto and under active thyroid for many many years before diagnosis… but this has made me think if the medication has made it worse as I definitely cannot tolerate any activities in even the mildest sunny days. I really dread the hot weather now. Sorry can’t give any advice, except avoid gardening in the sun. I do mine as earlier as possible in the summer to avoid the heat.

[Holiday12345]

would love to know too if you’re meant to decrease levo in v hot weather. I’ve become heat intolerant and my veins in hands and feet swell and painful. Being Scottish and used to cooler temp doesn’t help 😂 but atm with 25-29 degrees it’s unbearable. Feel like veins going to burst

[bajmon in reply to Holiday12345]

Same here. Swollen and painful. Sadly no one knows answer to this question and our drs don't really care about this 😒 I'm going on holidays in few days and it'll be around 38C every day. I'll be starting in A/C instead of enjoying the sunshine.

[Holiday12345 in reply to bajmon]

oh my goodness I can’t imagine 38 degrees (18 is far too hot 🥵 😂). A/c sounds good hope you have a good time!

[RoseStar]

yea I get it badly on 100mcg, as well as itchy rashes, which is what I’m supposed to be on according to endocrinologist and neither of those symptoms have anything to do with dosage... It’s not so bad when I drop to 75mcg but I feel fatigued 😭 I also have PoTS, so it’s hard to know what’s causing the fatigue to be honest