I am a 53 year old woman going through "the change". My friends who have gone through this already tell me my symptoms are too extreme. I get cold chills that are so bad I shiver and my teeth chatter. Then the next minute I am on fire , my skin gets very hot to the touch and I am instantly wringing wet from sweat. I have had a slight thyroid problem in the past, but it seemed to be fine for about a year or two. When the symptoms came back, (tired all the time, hair loss, weight gain) this hot - cold problem was with them. Is this actually menopause or should I see a specialist for my thyroid? What type of doctor specializes in thyroid conditions?