"The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition."
A sudden flare of heat creeps up your chest and neck, your face becomes flushed, and you begin to sweat. Your heart races while your body anxiously decides to either sit under a fan or wear a sweater to help with the chills.
These symptoms seem to come out of nowhere.
Is this it — the moment your mother has warned you about for years? Could this be menopause or can thyroid issues cause hot flashes?
In this article, we’ll explore what thyroid conditions can cause hot flashes, the symptoms that may appear, and ways to manage your thyroid condition.
Yes, your thyroid issues can cause hot flashes and may be often mistaken for symptoms of menopause.
Research indicates that the symptoms of thyroid function abnormality can be very similar to menopausal symptoms and can occur in younger women before the onset of menopause.
One study on females with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and menopause symptoms found that treating thyroid dysfunction significantly improved menopause symptoms.
Although menopause and thyroid dysfunction have some overlap in symptoms, they’re distinct hormones that have separate functions within the body. Menopause is brought on by the changing levels of hormones produced by the ovaries, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Your thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, mainly thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
For hot flashes, both estrogen and high thyroid hormone levels affect the hypothalamus — the part of your brain responsible for temperature regulation.
If you are experiencing hot flashes or other symptoms that could be due to a thyroid health issue, you should consult with a health practitioner. HealthierU offers a holistic approach, focused on finding the root cause of your problematic symptoms naturally, safely, and effectively, for longer-lasting results.
Contact us to request a nutrition consultation today.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) causes the thyroid to work harder to produce hormones, which can result in hot flashes and sweating.
Typically, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is associated with feeling cold, but it’s possible that low levels of thyroid hormone can disrupt thermoregulation of body temperature, making you feel warmer as well.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes and releases too much thyroid hormone. This condition can make your metabolism speed up and potentially spark hot flashes.
There are many other symptoms you may experience with hyperthyroidism, including:
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body functioning normally. With decreased levels of thyroid hormone, hot flashes may appear as a symptom of hypothyroidism.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Since there are several overlapping symptoms between thyroid dysfunction and menopause, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two sometimes.
Here are some symptoms you might experience from either a thyroid disorder or menopause:
There are some distinct differences in symptoms that may help you to distinguish between the two conditions.
Here are some symptoms unique to thyroid disorders that are not typically menopause symptoms:
Here are some symptoms unique to menopause that are not typically thyroid disorder symptoms:
Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement (synthetic hormone) medication taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone thyroxine and treat underactive thyroid.
Over-replacement, or taking too much levothyroxine, can cause you to experience hot flashes and night sweats.
In addition to feeling overheated and sweating, taking Levothyroxine may cause other symptoms, including:
If you’re looking for a more holistic approach to hypothyroidism treatment in Brooklyn, HealthierU believes that making dietary changes is the best way to return your thyroid to proper working order.
Dr. Sergi is a specialist in women's health and wellness, she has helped remedy issues for thousands of patients looking for a more natural approach to hypothyroidism treatment.
Contact us today to receive a custom-designed program that addresses your distinct needs with a personalized hypothyroidism diet action plan.
Those who suffer from hypothyroidism can potentially experience night sweats, however, they aren’t usually a common symptom. Heat intolerance and sweating are more commonly linked to hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.
Levothyroxine and other medications can also cause excessive sweating, especially at night.
Research indicates that over 20% of individuals who take antidepressants report having recurring episodes of night sweats.
If severe hot flashes are affecting your daily life, consulting a doctor to check for underlying causes should be your first step, but if you still need to reduce sweating, here’s what might help:
Thyroid disorders are extremely common. According to the American Thyroid Association, over 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and up to 60% of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.
Women with a family history of thyroid or autoimmune issues are at a higher risk of having thyroid disease. However, thyroid issues are commonly diagnosed around the same time as women going through menopause, so symptoms can be tricky to decipher.
If you’re experiencing night sweats and don’t believe you’re going through menopause, you should be seen for a thyroid check. Undiagnosed thyroid disease may put you at risk for certain serious conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and infertility.
How can a doctor help your thyroid issues causing hot flashes?
A blood test is done to rule out or diagnose a thyroid disorder. If the test doesn't find irregular thyroid hormone levels, menopause is likely causing your hot flashes.
You may also receive a physical exam as well that checks for nodules or an enlarged thyroid. If you have pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or your voice is hoarse, these may be signs of a thyroid issue and not menopause.
Hot flashes can often be managed by supplementing the thyroid hormone with synthetic thyroxine and maintaining a regulated nutritional diet. You may need to implement lifestyle changes, limit certain foods, and find creative ways to stay comfortable.
When thyroid issues are causing you to have a hot flash, here are some ideas to help you stay more comfortable:
You may find some relief by avoiding foods and beverages that may trigger hot flashes and flushing reactions, such as:
Instead, research shows that eating a variety of plants and fruit, and following a Mediterranean-style diet may promote thyroid health due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and high levels of phytochemicals.
A Mediterranean diet (MD) is a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of:
The diet focuses on low consumption of:
MD provides a moderate amount of iodine intake, which can help promote optimal thyroid function.
By eating nutrient-dense foods and supplementing your nutrient deficiencies, your diet may help you get the
iron you need, especially if you have hypothyroidism or iron-deficient anemia.
In addition to making changes to your diet, you may benefit from other lifestyle changes that may help with hot flashes:
It can be difficult to know what’s going on in your body because menopause and thyroid disorders often have overlapping symptoms. If you’re experiencing hot flashes, there may be a chance you have a thyroid disorder.
Dr. Sergi, Brooklyn's leading nutrition response practitioner and holistic chiropractor, can perform a non-invasive test to help determine the root cause of your hot flashes — pinpointing exactly what’s needed to relieve you of your discomfort naturally.
At HealthierU, we do this by creating a customized plan that includes nutritional support, lifestyle guidance, and supplementation to correct your health concerns for the long haul.
It’s time to beat the heat. Cool down your thyroid issues causing hot flashes with the holistic help of HeathierU by requesting a free consultation today.
Natural Nutritionist Brooklyn