Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with decreased sweating and feeling cold, according to doctors. Sweating is a symptom of hypothyroidism in some people. This could be due to the fact that thyroid hormones assist control body temperature, and a lack of them causes instability.
There are, however, other, more plausible reasons for similar symptoms.
For example, if someone takes more levothyroxine than they require, a hypothyroidism drug called levothyroxine might cause sweating as a side effect. Other variables, such as menopause, can cause sweating and may occur in conjunction with hypothyroidism.
In this article, the connection between hypothyroidism, sweating, and nite sweats is examined. It also looks into how people might live more comfortably when they are sweating profusely.
When to consult a physician
If a person has night sweats on a frequent basis, they should consult a doctor. If they already have hypothyroidism, the doctor may suggest changing their medication dosage or checking for other possible causes.
If someone does not have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, consulting a doctor will allow them to run tests to confirm or rule out the condition.
Hypothyroidism and sweating
Although doctors connect hypothyroidism with feeling chilly and hyperthyroidism with feeling hot, low thyroid hormone levels may cause overall difficulties controlling body temperature. This could imply that some hypothyroid people suffer perspiration. There is, however, insufficient scientific evidence to back this claim.
Another possibility is that the individual is taking too much levothyroxine. Levothyroxine substitutes thyroid hormones that the body can not produce enough of. Taking more of this medication than is necessary may result in:
- difficulty sleeping
- chest pain
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- sweating
- headaches
- a racing heartbeat
- anxiety or agitation
Hypothyroidism and night sweats
Night sweats can be caused by hypothyroidism, but clinicians rarely link the two. There could be other causes for this condition. For example, levothyroxine, a hypothyroidism drug, may cause a person to feel excessively hot in general, including at night.
Thyroid hormone levels influence other hormone levels in the body and vice versa. This is especially important for women, who are five to eight times more likely than men to have hypothyroidism.
In their mid-to-late 40s, most women experience the first signs of menopause. At this point, estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fall. This can cause in symptoms, the most prevalent of which are hot flashes and nocturnal sweats. Doctors believe that estrogen levels may have an effect on thyroid function as well.
Menopause and hypothyroidism have several symptoms, and each can aggravate the other. This could imply that some hypothyroid people suffer both thyroid and menopausal symptoms at the same time.
Estrogen influences how much triiodothyronine and thyroxine the thyroid produces, and the thyroid may struggle to meet the body’s needs during menopause. According to a 2011 study, estrogen has a direct influence on human thyroid cells.
An earlier 2007 study looked at females with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and severe menopausal symptoms. The researchers discovered that treating thyroid dysfunction reduced patients menopausal symptoms, such as night sweats.
Other hypothyroidism symptoms
The symptoms of hypothyroidism might vary from person to person. However, some common symptoms are as follows:
- forgetfulness
- constipation
- tiredness
- weight gain
- dry skin
- an inability to tolerate cold
- heavy or irregular periods
- fertility problems
- dry, thinning hair
- voice changes
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- a slowed heart rate
- depression
Treatment
People who have frequent sweating and nocturnal sweats should consult a doctor about their symptoms. They may need to be tested for thyroid disease. Alternatively, if they already have a diagnosis, they may need to alter their prescription dosage.
To alleviate the discomfort caused by sweating, it may be beneficial to:
- Sleep in a cool bedroom: Turning down the thermostat and sleeping with less or lighter bedding might help minimize heat around the body during sleeping. Make an effort to use bedding composed of breathable, natural fibers such as cotton.
- Choose breathable clothing: Wherever feasible, use lightweight, flowy clothing made of natural fibers. This can assist in keeping the body cool and wicking away perspiration. Wearing light layers allows someone to remove or reapply garments as their body temperature changes.
- Reduce sweat triggers: Spicy meals, cigarettes, and alcohol can aggravate night sweats, therefore avoiding these can help to alleviate this condition.
- Use a cooling pillow or ice pack: Some pillows feature a gel filling that keeps you cool while you sleep. Alternatively, a cool pack can be placed under the pillow. When a person has night sweats, flipping the pillow to the cool side can help them chill down.
Other causes
If levothyroxine and lifestyle adjustments do not alleviate sweating, it is possible that something else is causing this symptom. The following are some further explanations.
Menopause
Perimenopause, or the earliest stage of menopause, is characterized by hot flashes and nocturnal sweats. These are known as vasomotor symptoms by doctors.
According to research, more than 80% of females experience hot flashes throughout menopause. These often cause in a sudden feeling of heat, perspiration, flushing, anxiousness, and chills. This can persist 1–5 minutes before dissipating.
Medications
Many drugs might cause night sweats. Night sweats, for example, are reported by up to 22% of people who take antidepressants.
Among the other drugs that may have this effect are:
- aspirin
- acetaminophen
- steroids
- antipsychotics
- hormone therapy drugs
- medications that decrease blood sugar
A doctor may propose alternatives if a person is taking a medicine that can cause perspiration. Do not change the dosage or discontinue a medicine without first consulting a medical expert.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause havoc on the body’s natural capacity to regulate its internal temperature. This frequently leads to less sweating than is desirable, putting people at higher risk of heat-related diseases including heat stroke.
People who have low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, may also have excessive sweating. A condition known as gustatory sweating is also a known consequence of diabetes. This causes excessive sweating during or immediately following meals.
Other causes
Other causes for sweating or night sweats include:
- hyperthyroidism
- pregnancy
- anxiety
- hyperhidrosis
- infections
- excessive alcohol consumption
- autoimmune conditions
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions
- cancer, such as pheochromocytoma, leukemia, and lymphoma
Conclusion
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid produces insufficient thyroid hormone. Although sweating is more frequently associated with hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, it is possible that low levels of thyroid hormone may cause sweating in some hypothyroid patients.
There are, however, numerous other causes that can cause perspiration. Menopause, medication side effects, diabetes, and other conditions could all be factors. As a cause, anyone who sweats during the day or night for no apparent reason should consult a doctor.
Sources:
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