Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Hyperactive thyroid; outrageous sweating and anxiety questions.

Good day everyone, I'm new here. I'm a 23 year old man, and as far back as I can remember I've had hyperhidrosis, a very fast metabolism, anxiety/nervous issues, and a heart rate that has always been slightly faster than some others.

Luckily, the docs can't find anything else wrong with my heart, but I still must be careful as heart problems run in my family. Recently I've found out why; hyperactive thyroid. However, my doctor tells me that the values are not significant enough to put me on medication. I've told him about my ridiculous sweating, and was prescribed generic Drysol (prescription anti-perspirant) which does absolutely nothing.

The problem is that I have a hard time pinpointing exactly why I sweat so much, as I have anxiety issues too and am not sure how much that plays into it (I'm sure it has a fair amount to do with it). After I complained of the sweating, I basically got the response that, "Some people sweat more than others. It's your body's way of releasing heat. Sweating is a very good thing".

However, there MUST be something else that can be done. It is simply outrageous in the summertime, or even when only temperate outside. If it's even chilly outside, I can step into a a room that is only a few degrees warmer and will pour sweat for a while. I'm not talking drip drop, I'm talking pour. The same thing happens if I get even the slightest bit anxious or nervous.

Once I am acclimated to my surroundings, however (unless its just hot) I don't tend to sweat as much. That's why I feel that anxiety has something to do with it, not ONLY the fact that I have a fast heart rate and hyperactive thyroid.

I have made this thread much, much longer than anticipated and I apologize, but there must be SOME hope out there for me. I do not want my thyroid removed and be put on medication for the rest of my life. I'm also wondering whether I should bypass my general physician and seek the advice of a psychiatrist or psychologist? It's very embarassing, and somehow I've managed to develop quite well socially but it only seems to get worse and worse.

Any help or advice is appreciated. Cheers!
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
To accept this one opinion from one MD, is dangerous, for your health and your heart, especially if heart conditions run in the family, Hyperthyroid makes your heart run on overtime, increasing the load on you. This particular MD might be one of thousands that rely on outdated TSH ranges, it is bad enough for him to discount your symptoms like he has, if your metabolism is running that fast, (Over 105 BPM) then it is not healthy, and the shame of it is, it is treatable, what is the issue of taking a pill once a day?, versus shortening your life?  Find an Endocrinologist that specializes in Thyroid. Get the right blood tests (Free T3 and Free T4) along with antibodi tests to determine if you have Graves disease (Auto-immune Hyperthyroid) And an MD that don't ignore your symptoms, Then make a decission based on more than one opinion. The original renges your MD is relying on were formed and based on Statistics used many years ago, and they are based on reported medical cases of thyroid during that period, do you realize with todays diagnostics, that the number of reported thyroid cases today are more than 10 times as many, and they still rely on outdated ranges. The American Board of Endocrinology stated over 8 years ago, that the ranges for TSH should be dropped from 0.5-5.0 to .03-3.5, and now they are asking it be lowered even more.  Just my Opinion, but do some research before listening to just one MD. Best Regards FTB4  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have exactly the same symptoms as you mate, I have only recently seen a doctor about it and I am having further testing done such a a CT scan next week. My worst symptom however is sweating, my back is constantly wet with sweat and same with my face. I hope there is some medication to correct this.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mine is the same, Rite760. Every now and again, I can even be working in hot weather and not really be sweating abnormally. But normally, any exposure to warmth (especially if I step into a warmer area/room) leaves me sweating. Other times, I can just be moving around in a temperate room and be pouring. Still looking for my test results, hope I didn't throw them out.

When nervousness or anxiety sets in, I can feel my body getting hotter and my heart rate increasing. Then my stomach goes crazy, and I normally need to eat something every couple hours or it'll go crazy too. Anyone who has ever gotten close to me remarks how very warm I am most of the time. I just stay hot.

Does anyone else have problems with becoming overly frustrated with simple things as a result of their condition? I suppose this has more to do with the anxiety aspect of it, though. For instance, something as simple as not being able to find something will leave the house torn up (just looking for it, no violence or anything :)), and leave me sweaty and mad.
Helpful - 0
440728 tn?1234645302
Hi, I have all your symptoms when I'm hyperthyroid, hot flushes, palpitations, severe anxiety etc. But I'm swing from high to low so the symptoms change according to how my thyroid is behaving at a particular time. I have had to fight like hell to be heard and it's taken ages to get results. So keep on asking for answers. Do you have your test results?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought I had my test results somewhere but can't seem to find them at the moment, all I can find is the bill. I do remember him saying that I was probably in the top few percentile in terms of thyroid output among people, but not really bad enough to put me on meds. He could have fooled me. I'm a nervous wreck, and having all the other processes sped up in your body because of an overreactive thyroid only multiplies the problem, along with the insane sweating. I really do need to do some more research on the thyroid treatments. How are you doing on the PTU? How long does someone typically stay on thyroid medication? What symptoms did you have (i.e. anxiety, fast metabolism, sweating, fast heart rate, etc)? Has it worked well for you?

Thanks for your response!
Helpful - 0
209405 tn?1189755821
Do you have the test results that say you are hyperthyroid? Post them. I was in 'slightly hyperthyroid' hell and had to throw a fit to be treated. Not sure you would bypass your GP for a psychologist. I would bypass for an endocrinologist. I take antithyroid med, PTU.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.