Can Thyroid Disease Cause Hot Flashes

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Stress

The major sources of stress can be classified in three primary categories: Emotional, Chemical, and Physical. Almost every single one of us deal with at least one of these sources daily, and in many cases, all of these.

The top sources of emotional stress are:

• Death of a loved one
• Divorce or end of relationship
• Relationship difficulties, frequent arguments
• Overwork, or termination of employment
• Outstanding personal achievement
• Financial stress
• Personal injury or illness

And research shows that experiencing these as long as 20 years ago could still be manifesting symptoms today.

Chemical stress is present in the toxins in our environment. From the herbicides that we spray our food with, to the hormones we feed our livestock, and the cosmetic cocktail we slather all over our bodies, we are constantly bombarded with chemical exposure.

Physical stress is the constant aches and pains that many of us deal with. Headaches, backaches, sore joints and knees all cause stress on the body. Not to mention the good stress we endure like long periods of exercise or burning the midnight oil to get all of our stuff done.

Most Thyroid Nodules Are Benign But Some Thyroid Nodules Are Thyroid Cancer

A small percentage of thyroid nodules are malignant . You can not tell if a thyroid nodule is malignant due to symptoms or lack of symptoms. Those thyroid nodules that are cancer, tend to be very slow growing. The very rare thyroid nodule that is an aggressive thyroid cancer may present with a large thyroid mass, firm or non-mobile mass or even change in vocal quality. Only in these very rare circumstances, when the thyroid nodule is an aggressive thyroid cancer, is there an urgent need for prompt evaluation and thyroid cancer surgery by the most highly experienced thyroid cancer surgeon. Otherwise, thoughtful evaluation and consultation by an expert thyroid cancer surgeon is required for thyroid nodules. In other words, the vast majority of thyroid nodules can be worked up without a sense of urgency. Dont make rash, quick decisionsthyroid nodules in almost all cases provide plenty of time to get figured out. So chill if you are here because you just found out you have a thyroid nodule. Read and understand what this means. And realize that in almost all cases, you have time to figure this out! We have created a Thyroid Nodule and Cancer Guide app to help, you can to better understand your thyroid nodule, determine what you next steps are, and examine your risk of thyroid cancer.

Watch a video at https://www.youtube.com/embed/92gv34o-46A

The Hot Flash Estrogen Deficiency Myth

If estrogen deficiency was the cause of hot flashes, then it would make sense that women who suffer from hot flashes would be more deficient in estrogen than those who do not.

However, according to renowned hormone physiologist Dr. Raymond Peat, thats not the case at all.

At menopause, there are a number of hormonal changes that occur, including:

While estrogen production may decline, progesterone production declines more severely resulting in estrogen dominance.

Its important to understand that its the balance of estrogen to progesterone that matters most.

In menopause, the more estrogen dominant and progesterone deficient you become, the greater the danger to your thyroid health.

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How The Thyroid Works With Estrogen During The Menopausal Transition

During peri- and menopause women produce unpredictable levels of the hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone which will all impact the levels of thyroid hormones.

Hypothyroidism goes hand-in-hand with aging and menopause which leads scientists to acknowledge the connection between the drop in estrogen and thyroid function.4

The symptoms of hypothyroidism and menopause are usually similar, and also interrelated. For instance, hair loss, moodiness, forgetfulness, depression, irregular menstrual cycles, and weight changes are associated with both hypothyroidism and menopause.

When there is too much thyroid hormone , you can also see symptoms similar to menopause-like sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, heat intolerance, and hot flashes.4

Whether you have too much thyroid hormone, or too little, these types of thyroid issues can elevate your risk of health complications linked to menopause, such as urinary tract infection, weight gain, insomnia, and heart disease.4

How to Stop Hormonal Hair Loss and Thyroid

• Hormone Replacement Therapy can help to get your estrogen levels back which will normalize your thyroid hormones too. Level out the thyroid hormones and you can see a quick improvement in your hair loss.

• Stress management will help you from losing hair rapidly. High levels of stress increase the hormone cortisol and can lead to hair loss.

• Meditation, journaling, yoga, and exercising outdoors can reduce cortisol levels.

Lifestyle Factors Associated With Improvements In Thyroid Function

Lifestyle factors have a considerable impact on the function of the Thyroid gland. When unhealthy lifestyle factors and habits are adopted, Thyroid function can be adversely impacted. These may cause the Thyroid to develop an excess amount of Thyroid hormones, or lead to the Thyroids activity becoming impaired thus causing an insufficient amount of Thyroid hormones being produced in a patients body.

A healthy lifestyle can contribute to a healthy Thyroid gland. Adopting a healthy diet, which should ideally include an adequate supply of antioxidants, as well as vitamins and minerals, will aid in maintaining optimal Thyroid function.

In addition to dietary habits, it is essential to understand that physical exercise is also essential for a healthy endocrine system, including a Thyroid gland that produced an adequate supply of Thyroid hormones. Avoiding smoking and too much alcohol can also be beneficial for improving Thyroid function and avoiding dysfunctions that may adversely affect the Thyroid gland.

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So What Does This Have To Do With Thyroid Health

It is well documented that the thyroid and the adrenal glands strongly influence each other. Both the adrenals and the thyroid are regulated by the same areas of the brain called the hypothalamus and the pituitary. As one system begins to experience issues it can negatively affect these control centers and cause problems in the other system.

In addition, when cortisol levels begin to rise it inhibits the production of the hormone, TSH, which decreases the levels of thyroid hormone in the body, as well as, inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3. In other words, high cortisol causes low thyroid. So if you are suffering with low thyroid symptoms there is a strong possibility that high cortisol or adrenal fatigue could be the underlying culprit. No amount of hormone replacement or medications will improve your symptoms unless this underlying issue is dealt with.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Toxic Thyroid Nodule

The symptoms of a toxic thyroid nodule are a result of the high levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, increasing the rate at which the body is working. Similar to those of hyperthyroidism, these symptoms include:

• heat intolerance .

Signs are similar to those of hyperthyroidism , but can also include a prominent thyroid gland with a distinct nodule.

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Overactive Vs Underactive Thyroid

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped glandlocated at the front of your neck. It produces hormones that help regulateyour bodys metabolism and keep your brain, heart, muscles and other organsworking properly. But sometimes it does too much or too little, as seen in:

• Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid may make you feel nervous, irritable and shaky. You may notice a racing heart, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, frequent bowel movements, thinning hair, weight loss and irregular periods.
• Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland may slow down your body functions. What to look for: slower thinking, depression, feeling cold, constipation, muscle weakness, abnormal periods and a slower metabolism leading to moderate weight gain.

Loss of memory, or brain fog, is another, often-overlooked, sign of a thyroid issue, adds Dr. Kellis. Though rare, losing hair around the ends of your eyebrows is another sign.

Causes Of Perimenopause And Thyroid Disease

The link between thyroid disease and perimenopause conditions can cause one to worsen the other. During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate, affecting thyroid hormone levels. The risk of thyroid disease for women is about 10 times higher than for men. Thyroid problems are significantly more common in women, possibly due to the relationship between estrogen and how the thyroid functions. In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Thyroid Research, researchers reported that there is evidence that estrogen may have direct actions in human thyroid cells. But more research is needed to determine how this actually happens.

There are several conditions that can bring on thyroid disease:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Medical treatmentsradiation therapy, thyroid surgery and some medications
• Genetic disorders

It is important to note that pregnancy can cause thyroid problems to start or get worse. And if untreated, it can cause other problems for both mama and baby, including miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia and excess bleeding after delivery.

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Does Hyperthyroidism Go Away On Its Own

Not usually. Unfortunately, you cant even do a whole lot on your own to rid yourself of the condition. If you want to minimize the many health risks posed by hyperthyroidism, the best thing you can do is ask to get tested by your doctor early if you are displaying symptoms. The sooner its detected, and a hyperthyroidism treatment plan is put into action, the better your chances are of successfully beating it.

Who Is At Risk For Hyperthyroidism

According to the National Institutes of Health , hyperthyroidism affects approximately 1.2% of the population in the US. Although it occurs in both men and women, its up to 10 times more likely in females.

Youre at higher risk for hyperthyroidism if you:

• Have a family history of thyroid disease

• Have pernicious anemia

• Have primary adrenal insufficiency, also known as

• Consume an iodine-rich diet or medications containing iodine

• Are over the age of 60

• Were pregnant within the past 6 months

• Had thyroid surgery or a thyroid problem such as a , also known as a swollen thyroid gland

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Dont Ignore Thyroid Problems

Over time, thyroid disease can cause major problems, Dr. Bembry says.

If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to high cholesterol, osteoporosis, heart disease and depression. Hyperthyroidism can contribute to congestive heart failure, irregular heart rhythms , osteoporosis or eye problems. In extreme cases, thyroid malfunction can lead to coma or even death.

A blood test that measures your thyroid-stimulating hormone provides your doctor with valuable information about whether your thyroid gland is working well, is overactive or is underactive.

If your symptoms are due to menopause, you dont need to worry about life-threatening consequences, but youll want to find strategies for a better quality of life.

Quick Read These Symptoms Are Not Always What They Seem

• Thyroid problems are common but can be mistaken for other conditions .
• Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidisms symptoms of fatigue and changes in weight can be mistaken for menopause.
• Postpartum thyroiditis symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue can seem like baby blues.
• Thyroid nodules and goiters cause lumps that can seem like cancer but most often are not.
• Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to find out if you have a thyroid condition.

Weight fluctuations. Hot flashes. Difficulty sleeping. While these symptoms may make you think of menopause, they are also indicators of a whole other set of conditions: thyroid problems.

The thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces hormones that control how your body uses energy. Thyroid diseases are common in women about 1 in 8 women will have thyroid problems but they are often mistaken for other conditions .

It can be mistaken both ways. I see patients who will be convinced they have thyroid issues even if they dont, and at the same time its true that thyroid problems tend to get missed because people assume it is menopause or depression, says Dr. Mayumi Endo, an endocrinologist and director of the Thyroid Nodule Clinic.

So, what are common thyroid problems and how do they overlap with other conditions?

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Can Hypothyroidism Cause Night Sweats

While some cases of hypothyroidism do cause night sweats, research is limited as to this effect. Some suggest that night sweats in these individuals are caused by medications for hypothyroidism, especially levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is used to replace thyroid hormone in its absence.¹

Excessive doses of this medication can be especially dangerous, prompting heart attack and death in some cases. Milder symptoms include increased sweating.

Are There Drugs That Can Immediately Relieve Hyperthyroid Symptoms Like Palpitations And Shaky Hands

Yes. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be improved within a number of hours by medications called beta-blockers.

These drugs block the effect of the thyroid hormone but don’t have an effect on the thyroid itself. Thus beta-blockers do not cure the hyperthyroidism and do not decrease the amount of thyroid hormone being produced they just prevent some of the symptoms. For people with temporary forms of hyperthyroidism , beta-blockers may be the only treatment needed.

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Over Medication For Hypothyroidism

I would firstly check that youre not over medicated on your thyroid medication, as being so can lead to hyperthyroidism and thus cause symptoms such as feeling hot, flushed and anxious .

You need a full thyroid panel doing to include TSH, Free T3 and Free T4, and thyroid antibodies TPOab and TGab wherever possible. A suppressed TSH can be normal on thyroid meds containing T3, but your Free T3 and Free T4 should be within range, for hyperthyroidism to not be present. TSH alone is not accurate to go by. Please see optimal levels here.

What Are The Similarities And Differences Between Thyroid And Menopause Symptoms

You may be looking at the symptoms of menopause and the symptoms associated with thyroid disorder and think, How am I supposed to tell the difference? We get ittheyre very similar and can be difficult to distinguish. When in doubt, just like with underactive thyroid, a simple blood test can distinguish between menopause and overactive thyroid. But eating more and still losing weight is a big clue that it is a thyroid problem and not a menopause issue.

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How Womens Health Care Providers Diagnose And Treat Thyroid Disease

If you think you may have a thyroid disorder, talk to one of our womens health care providers. We can help diagnose and treat both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid. In most cases, diagnosis starts with a simple blood test. Blood panels may look at many factors to assess whether you have a thyroid disorder. Thyroid tests may look at the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood, T3 & T4 levels, and thyroid antibody levels. Diagnosis may also include thyroid scans and ultrasounds.

If you have a thyroid disorder, our womens health clinic can also help with treatment. Treating hypothyroid typically involves taking medications that supplement your natural thyroid hormone levels. They are generally man-made versions of thyroid hormones and come in different forms, like pills or injections. In most cases, you will need hypothyroid treatment for the rest of your life to relieve symptoms and reduce some of the risks associated with low thyroid levels.

Managing Hypothyroidism During Menopause

Hypothyroidism can worsen menopause symptoms. So rather than shrug off your symptoms, its important to maintain hypothyroidism treatment during menopause. Undertreated thyroid disease may cause increased cholesterol, leading to atherosclerosis and possibly heart attack or stroke, says Rosenfeld. In addition, hypothyroidism may cause high blood pressure, leading to similar heart complications. Overtreatment with thyroid hormone is also a known cause of osteoporosis, Kapoor adds.

Healthcare providers know to adjust thyroid treatment based on your current needs, and that includes during menopause. When estrogen levels drop at the time of menopause, people who are on levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism may experience a change in their thyroid hormone needs, usually downward, says Rosenfeld. And conversely, hormone therapy which is commonly used to treat menopause symptoms can necessitate the opposite. If a woman treated with thyroid hormone starts estrogen, her dose of levothyroxine may have to be increased, says Kapoor.

A study published in December 2018 in the journal Climacteric stated that the decision to use hormone therapy for menopause should be individualized in women with thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism.

The bottom line: Work closely with your healthcare provider so your thyroid symptoms and your menopause symptoms can be kept to a minimum.

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Hypothyroidism: Commonly Mistaken For Perimenopause And Menopause

Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when your body doesnt produce enough thyroid hormone.

If hyperthyroidism is your body prepping you to run from a lion, then hypothyroidism is your body prepping you for hibernation.

Everything slows down: your gut, your energy. Think about a bear in hibernation trying to conserve energy for the winter, Endo explains.

Hypothyroidism is most often caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis, which is the most common autoimmune disease in the world. In Hashimoto thyroiditis, the immune system attacks the thyroid, destroying its hormone-producing cells. Endo says some types of chemotherapy, thyroid surgery and inflammation can also cause hypothyroidism.

Signs of hypothyroidism include feeling cold, weight gain, constipation, fatigue/tiredness, depression, and brittle hair and nails which are also common symptoms of both perimenopause and menopause.

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You can click on the hyperlinks in the above post to learn more and see references to information given.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15705921/

Rachel Hill

Rachel Hill is the highly ranked and multi-award winning thyroid patient advocate, writer, speaker and author behind The Invisible Hypothyroidism. Her thyroid advocacy work includes writing articles, authoring books, producing her Thyroid Family email newsletters and speaking on podcasts, as well as being a founding board member for the American College of Thyroidology. She is well-recognised as a crucial and influential contributor to the thyroid community and has a large social media presence. Her books include “Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate” and “You, Me and Hypothyroidism”.

Further Reading…

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