Do you think my husband is a possible thyroid patient?

[Yabba-Dabba-Doo]

My husband feels excessively cold to the point where he uses 6 (yes, 6!) blankets at night when sleeping. And these are not thin blankets; they are heavy blankets!!!

I told him to have his thyroid checked but he says his was checked 2 years ago and was fine even though I told him thyroid levels fluctuate and do not stay the same constantly.

On a hot day, he even turns the heat on when driving.

Help! Excessive cold, extreme tiredness?

Should he be tested for thyroid issues?

Thank-you for this wonderful forum! :)

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

I would test him (but I'm biased towards thyroid testing...).

You are right that the thyroid can fluctuate and that a normal test 2 years ago does not mean it's not hypothyroid now -- would test TSH, Free T4 (& possibly T3) as well as TPO and Tg antibodies.  IF all normal -- not thyroid.

Then what....?  Also test testosterone and consider an MRI of the pituitary/hypothalamus to make sure there is no structural lesion causing a problem in thermoregulation.  Temperature intolerance is a tough topic which often has no identifiable cause.

[GravesLady]

Have have been a cold person all my life, before thyroid.

Never hurts to have the thyroid checked out at least once a year especially females for they are more prone to thyroid conditions.

Also thin blood by whatever means will make a person cold too.

Other avenues should be checked out if the two above are found to be normal.