The correct name is generalised hyperhidrosis as the sweats are all over, not just palms, armpits, etc. Back particularly sweaty.
This has continued and is affecting me during the day, I just didn't really notice during the day or care until being laid up with Covid. Bah!
On reflection I also realise it's been happening for many years, quite likely since RAI 18 years ago and my various changes to medication (T4 mono, T4+T3, NDT, T4 mono, now on T4+T3 again). I used to think it was my wife's heat and a memory foam mattress but probably not.
Levothyroxine and hyperthyroidism is listed as one of the causes so this has to be a priority for my investigations.
Here are my latest results from 12th June (taken according to protocol):
I know there's room for an increase in ft4 but hyperthyroidism is one cause of hyperhidrosis so perhaps the sweats indicate I'm already going hyper.
I'm currently on 125 mcg T4 and 18.75 mcg T3.
Until trial stopped in 2017 I was on 75mcg T4, 20mcg T3.
I've not had any anti depressants for nearly two weeks after tapering off.
All my liver results were fine so I'm loathe to experiment with anything else like milk whistle as I think I've been too foot loose and fancy free what with private TRT, private ADHD meds (stopped), NHS antidepressants (stopped), imported T3 and a veritable smorgasbord of supplements.
Update 14/8/2023
Had a face-to-face with a GP. Brusque. He's referred me to a pschiatrist for anxiety. I do have many big things on m plate (finding a job, HMRC bill, pensions) so it makes sense. He wasn't interested in my episodic hypos (Hb1AC is fine), or liver scans, etc as all bloods are fine. Brushed off.
He suggested I book an appointment with the GP who put me on Lio trial back in 2007 and who wrote on my records how well I was doing when "pausing" the trial. That's fine, he's a decent old school Dr. He's on holiday rightt now. I shall probably need to see an endo to get back ono lio, so I'll try and find a ThyroidUK friendly one beforehand. Note: I currently source my own Lio from abroad.
I'd like to thank all of you for your helpful comments! I'm going to try some of your suggestions anyway (cortisol, diet changes, liver detox, etc), and also work on anxiety whilst I wait for a psych.
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I know there's room for an increase in ft4 but hyperthyroidism is one cause of hyperhidrosis so perhaps the sweats indicate I'm already going hyper.
You can't go hyper because you are hypo. The thyroid cannot suddenly regenerate and start making too much hormone, which is what hyperthyroidism is. You could be over-medicated but according to those labs you're a long way off that. And, in any case, there's a world of difference between being hyper due to Graves' and being slightly over-medicated on exoginous hormone.
How are your nutrients? Are they all optimal? Have you had them tested since you stopped your smorgasbord of supplements?
In your last post, it was suggested that your antidepressants could have been the cause. If so, it will take time for the side effects to abate.
Have you had your sex hormones tested? Could be something to do with the male menopause.
How are your blood sugar levels?
But, I think, if it were me, the first thing I would want to do would be to increase my thyroid hormone levels. Although your FT3 is good, it might not be high enough for you as an individual. And your FT4 is most certainly low, which doesn't suit everybody. An increase of 25 mcg is hardly likely to send you over the top.
I know the thyroid doesn't regenerate after RAI. Sweating was one of the symptoms I had when hyper back in the day, but I don't have the racing heart (I have a sports watch monitoring it constantly). My resting BPM is 67 so I accept that. HyperHIDROSIS can be totally unrelated to actual temperature (sweating for cooling). Levo and Thyroid issues are one of the causes, hence I looked at it. Other causes include
- low blood sugar (I do have epsisodes clearly shown during zoe health study but for decades before without me paying due attention)
- anxiety (I have plenty to be anxious about right now)
- diabetes (never been diagnosed, my last HBA1c was 29 mmol/mol (20-41.99), though of course the low blood sugar might say otherwise!
- infections - I have covid right now, but this has been going on for 3 weeks at least and episodically for years.
- some types of cancer. Let's hope not
- nervous system disorders.
How are your nutrients?I increased them after my last blood results. I have been taking B complex, B12, Vit D & b2, magnesium. I was also taking creatine, protein shake and electrolytes to improve recovery in the gym/swimming/running. I stopped over the holiday.
Are they all optimal?I don't know, I need more tests after the increase in June.
Have you had them tested since you stopped your smorgasbord of supplements? I only paused them whilst on holiday the last 2/3 weeks. I shall restart them tomorrow.
In your last post, it was suggested that your antidepressants could have been the cause. If so, it will take time for the side effects to abate. I stopped completely almost two weeks ago and the side effects have completely subsided. I'm confident they're out of my system.
Have you had your sex hormones tested? Could be something to do with the male menopause. My testosterone was low normal so I started TRT in July. I'm doing this privately as my levels weren't low enough for NHS to treat. My lowest free-T level was 0.22 nmol/L (0.16 - 0.47) 19.7%. I was clutching at straws for brain fog, energy, etc at the time. My last level was 0.27, 36% so well above he lower limit. Perhaps I was foolish to grab this straw. Can't say I notice much/any difference on TRT yet apart from slightly improved sex drive and that could easily be placebo.
How are your blood sugar levels? As above I have had hypoglycaemic episodes using Zoe's CGM let alone the hospital not letting me go after a hernia check up because I had shakes and the decades long clammy shakes I would intermittently get and honestly laugh off. I think this is a good avenue to explore.
But, I think, if it were me, the first thing I would want to do would be to increase my thyroid hormone levels. OK, I reduced Levo to 100mcg and reduced Lio to 12.5mcg last week (I know I shouldn't) thinking I was going hyper. I'll bring them both back up to 125mcg, but that's where they were when I was sweating every night, so I'd need to take levo even higher.
Sigh. I suppose I should wait a week or two to let things restabilise and get blood tests again, but I would prefer to wait until mid-September when I need full tests for the next TRT consultation. It's all very expensive including getting the phlebotomist to visit for blood draws.
So, I shall
1. Restart 125mcg levo and 18.75 mcg lio as before.
2. Restart supplement regime.
2. Talk to GP on Monday about hyperhidrosis and concern at hypoclycemia.
I started TRT in July. My last level was 0.27, 36% so well above he lower limit. Perhaps I was foolish to grab this straw. Can't say I notice much/any difference on TRT yet
I would have siad that 36% was on the low side. Could be you need it higher. But I don't think you were foolish at all. It's a factor worth consideration.
But, testosterone isn't the only sex hormone. What about estrogen and progesterone? They should be tested, too.
And, cortisol. Have you had that tested? High cortisol can make you sweat.
But, I do get the impression you're hoping for miracles! If you one started TRT in July, you can't really expect much in the way of results yet.As a general rule, all things hormonal move slowly. You have to give your body time to adapt and aclimatise to the changes, and then start repairing itself. Hormones are not the same as aspirin, no instant cures. Patience is the key.
A lot of antidepressants cause excess sweating, its one of the most common and annoying side effects. I'm on Venlafaxine as a migraine preventative and even though I'm not on a high dose I've noticed I'm sweating far more than last year, even though the weather isnt that hot. In fact there are a lot of meds that list sweating as aside effect.
Memory foam mattresses are well known for generating heat,great in winter but less so in summer. If you have the space you could try sleeping seperately as that will reduce heat. Wear cotton,not synthetic clothing as its cooler. I have an electric fan next to my bed and if I get over hot in the night I switch that on for a bit.
I really sympathise as its horrible, but hopefully yours will reduce as the antidepressants leave your body.
I stopped the antidepressants after only a week or so, and it's been two+ weeks since last pill. The AD symptoms have gone, so I think they are out of my system now.
Our current mattress is cooler, but still hot. But I am having a sweat right now sat on the sofa in very little clothing with the window open.
I use a fan, it does help some and i like it's white noise to disrtract mind. I used to tthink this issue was caused by significant hearing loss in one ear meaning I felt insulated from the world (rustling of wind in trees, rain, etc). On the positive side; I can't hear my wife snoring!
Yes, my vitamin D level last time was 130 nmol/L and I've maintained this supplementation at 4,000 IU/day. I've upped it to 12,000 IU/day whilst I'm testing positive to covid. Taken with D3 in spray form.
I too suffer from sweats. I have for years. Probably 25. Mainly night ones. They go when I have a higher ft4.
When I raise my dose and I get that feeling or being worse for a few weeks they come back . They also happen during the day.
When I am over medicated they happen and during the day.
Just thought I’d mention it as from experience if my results were same as yours, I’d be constant changing my pillow round and hunting the cold spot in the bed!
Useful tip, John Lewis were selling a fabric mattress protector that worked. It doesn’t regulate my temperature but it does mean I can easily find a cold spot as it definitely keeps the mattress cold. There’s a pillow cover too. It’s got these little spots over it. Had it years now and don’t know whether they still do it but I wouldn’t be without it.
If you have Covid, or this virus that has been going around that seems to take about six weeks to clear up, that could be the reason for your night sweats. Have you related your sugar dips to specific foods? You might find things improve as you continue on with the Zoe Personalised Nutrition Programme because your understanding of which foods to eat in abundance and how to combine them with other foods will lead to better health, more energy and more effective digestion.
Yes, I accept this possibility as I've been sweating for 3 weeks this time, though I've been very sweaty for decades - at least since initial hyperthyroidism diagnosis.
I stopped the zoe programme as I found the food entry too frustrating. I am considering restarting it mostly to access the gut boosters.
Certain foods did cause huge rises and "hypos", not that I stopped eating porridge. Oops.
There were other "hypos" unrelated to eating at all. Frustratingly I don't have all the data.
Thanks! I'll report back later after my GP appointment today.
I used to love my porridge but found Greek yoghurt with mixed seeds and the Linwood's mix that includes brazil nuts and CQ10 plus some blueberries just as good and giving me a much better Zoe score.
Just because your liver results say your liver is ok, it may not be true. They are not accurate. I have a fatty liver (found on scan) nothing wrong with my blood results. I have started a plant based diet. So no meat, dairy, gluten, sugar, processed food etc and have have not had any sweats since. The sweats are normally because your liver is working extra hard to get rid toxins. Might be worth looking into.
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