Hypothyroidism and excessive sweating

[cris2009]

Hello All,

This is sort of gross but ever since my partial thyroidectomy in September 2007, I have been excessively sweating all the time, especially in my armpits. I have never had a problem with sweating before in my life. I am hypothyroid but seem to have symptoms of both hyper and hypo.
I have tests done and it's not menopause or adrenal issues. I am currently on .50 of Synthroid and I believe my last TSH was 2.9?? ( still confused how all THAT works).

Anyway, has anyone else noticed themselves sweating, a lot?  

Is it the Synthroid? Is it that my levels are not right?

Any info, help, same stories???

THANKS!!!

[gimel]

Assuming that your T4 test you mentioned is Total T4, then your level is very low in the range.  In addition, both Total T4 and Total T3 are somewhat outdated and not nearly as revealing as Free T4 and Free T3, which are the biologically active thyroid hormones.  Free has actually been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH correlated poorly.

From a very  long list of symptoms that can be hypothyroid related, this is the section on body temperature.  Note the listing of excess perspiration.  

Body Temperature:

    Cold extremities
    Cold sweats
    Night sweats
    Heat intolerance
    Cold intolerance
    Internal shivering
    Hypothermia
    Cold hands
    Clammy palms
    Cold feet
    Excessive perspiration
    Little perspiration
    Low basal body temperature (below 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit)

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  You can get some good insight from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

So you need to be tested for Free T4 and Free T3 every time you go in for tests.  Also, since hypo patients are frequently to low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, those should be tested as well.  D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin about 70 minimum.

If you get these tests done and would like our assessment, please post results and ranges shown on the lab report.  

[smilesalot80]

Yes from what i have read your t4 could be normal but your t3 off or vice virsa so when you get your levels checked ask for all both tests to be done becaz you need t4 and t3 to be at the right level in order for your body to function correctly... Lots of people get railroaded by their docs becaz the causal family doc doesnt know much about thyroid diseases

[smilesalot80]

Helllo there, yes yes yes i sweat like a man all day all night. I'm very thin and I'm an extreme athlete but i can't stop sweating even in 35 degrees while hiking mt Shasta in my home town i was pouring sweat.... My doc doesnt know anything about thyroid so I'm doing research on how to keep my levels steady. My t4 is currenty at 4.49 and its showing I'm low again..... Ugh i hate being fatigued all the time:(

[gimel]

TSH is totally inadequate as the sole diagnostic for thyroid issues.  TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hortmone.  Supposedly TSH accurately reflects levels of thyroid hormones, but in reality it cannot be shown to correlate well with either of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 or Free T3, much less correlate well with symptoms, which should be the main concern.  

So, I highly recommend that you get tested for Free T4 and Free T3, along with TSH.  In addition, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, I also recommend testing those as well.  

When you have additional test results, please post them, along with reference ranges, and we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.  

[zach1977]

yes it was the only test done & If I recall correctly it was around 2.9; but I will have to double check.

[gimel]

What was your TSH level?  Was that the only thyroid test done/