I am in my 70's and still getting terrible hot ... - Thyroid UK
I am in my 70's and still getting terrible hot flushes (literally dripping). Never had nor want HRT. Any suggestions. Am hypo on 75mcg.
Hi Steliz,
I'm past my menopause, but if my treatment is reduced I revert back to sweating profusely and feeling very weak. I had these symptoms when my thyroxine was very low. I'm on 200 mcg plus NDT as I'm not absorbing well. Do you think you are on enough Levothyroxine?
Hypo on 75mcg. Yes you probably are.
This is not a proper replacement dosage, its probably enough to stop you producing anything of your own, but not enough to give you what you need......
You need to ask for your test results so you can see how well (or not) you are being treated. You need TSH, free T3 and Free T4. If the doctor hasn't done these or isn't prepared to, you can get them done privately for less than £100. Details under testing on the main website.
If the thyroid has been undertreated, then it affects the adrenals.....
Sorry, I didn't give you the full picture. I had my thyroid removed surgically due to thyrotoxicosis in 1974, then again after it regrew in 1985 by RAI., I was on 100mcg thyroxine until January, when my dose was lowered to 50 mcg every other day. My readings at that time were TSH .46 (range 0.5-6.0) and Free T4 13.5 (range 11.0-21.0).
I have recently had another range of blood tests, and my doctor has advised taking phytoestrogens.
Hi Steliz
When were you diagnosed?
The first thing to do is get a copy of your thyroid gland blood tests complete with the ranges (figure in brackets as labs differ) and post on another question.
It may well be that you are undertreated or that levothyroxine doesn't suit you. I had palps, tachycardia, body stiffness, night sweats but all have gone due to changing meds but I had to go private to do so. I am now well but it is trial and error as what suits one person doesn't suit another. Maybe an increase will make you feel better but post your blood test results (if you haven't already had a B12, VitD, ferritin, folate and iron request them as they are important too). Some GP's insist on keeping our TSH within the 'normal range' but we should have a TSH 1 or under.
Have you looked at progesterone? wellsprings-health.com/page...
No, but I understand you can only get it on prescription in Australia. Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong!
Hi Steliz
I too think you may be undertreated and this is a link and if you cursor down to question dated April 22, 2007 you will see Dr Lowe's answer. (he was an Adviser to Thyroiduk before his death last year). There are other topics at the top of the page.
An addition of T3 to a reduced T4 may help and this is what Dr Toft, ex President of the British thyroid Association states and if you want a copy of the Pulse online article to send to your GP to read before you next see him, email Louise.Warvill@Thyroiduk.org.
6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?
The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.
But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This ‘exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism’ is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).
Even while taking the slightly higher dose of levothyroxine a handful of patients continue to complain that a sense of wellbeing has not been restored. A trial of levothyroxine and tri-iodothyronine is not unreasonable. The dose of levothyroxine should be reduced by 50µg daily and tri iodothyronine in a dose of 10µg (half a tablet) daily added.
***
I don't agree with his last two paragraphs (which I have not included) but it may allow your doctor to add some T3 at least.
I have only got better by not taking levothyroxine and switching to a dessicated product. A natural dessicated thyroid hormone contains all T4/T3/T2/T1 and calcitonin as it is made from either cows or pigs thyroid. It was the only one which was prescribed before levothyroxine was introduced in the 60's and our GP's and Endo's say that it is preferential but many do not get well.
It's true that you can still continue with hot flushes into your 70's, my mother did. It might be something else though so best check it out and of course there is advice on here.
I know some people swear by Black Cohosh which is an herb and very well known in some places. Evening primrose oil has been around for decades to help with premenstrual and post menopausal symptoms plus it has an essential fatty acid. Scientifically speaking, boron seems to be an important element and sometimes included in other formulations.
