Your Guide To Thyroid Medication
Optimizing your thyroid levels with thyroid hormone replacement medication is usually the first step in minimizing symptoms.
Stay away from dietary and environmental triggers
Certain foods, smells, and environments can increase your risk of having night sweats.
- Avoid spicy foods before bedtime
- Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine before sleep
- Avoid smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke
- Avoid sleeping in a warm room
- Avoid stress or sleeping in a stressful environmentâ
Prepare your sleep environment
If you repeatedly struggle with night sweats, consider taking some preventative steps to lower your risk of waking up in wet sheets.
- Turn down the thermostat and turn up the fan.
- Wear light, loose-fitting pajamas, or skip them altogether. If you find you also struggle with cold intolerance, consider wearing layers to bed that can easily be removed.
- Use light blankets or sheets.
- Have a glass of cold water next to the bed.
- Consider using pillows and mattress pads designed to cool your body as you sleep.
Establish a bedtime routine
Much like a child has a specific bedtime routine to help them wind down for rest, adults also benefit from having a routine. Wind down the same way each day: take a cool shower, shut screens off at least an hour before sleep, avoid late-night snacking, do yoga, massage, or journal. Allowing your body and mind to relax can signal your body that it is time to rest.
Thyroid Disease Symptoms Vs Menopause Symptoms
Hypothyroidism Symptoms
If your thyroid hormone levels are too low, you can experience weight gain, feeling cold, mental cloudiness, depression, menstrual changes, fatigue, or fluid retention. Muscle aches, constipation, weakness, thinning hair, and slowing of the pulse rate can occur. Mild hypothyroidism may not produce symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are so nonspecific that you might not recognize them as signs of hypothyroidism, and the symptoms vary widely among people. You may have symptoms come on slowly and be difficult to recognize sometimes people with hypothyroidism can be misdiagnosed as having psychological or have other physical conditions. Hashimotos thyroiditis is a common cause of hypothyroidism.
Signs You Might Have A Thyroid Problem
When your thyroid stops working as it should, you can experience a variety of symptoms that might seem unrelated or even odd. From chills and brain fog to thinning hair and weight gain, if your thyroid isnt functioning well, you may be experiencing symptoms that are subtle and hard to characterize.
Women are more likely to experience issues with their thyroid, but anyone can suffer thyroid problems. Recognizing the symptoms of an overactive or underactive thyroid is the best way to get the treatment you need.
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The 3 Hypothyroidism And Hot Flash Triggers And How To Fix Them
Heres what we do know
Some studies have demonstrated that hot flashes can be triggered by certain imbalances, and that correcting those imbalances can effectively prevent or reduce the risk of a hot flash occurring.
These hot flash triggers include:
Whats interesting is that these imbalances are also commonly found in hypothyroidism and caused by estrogen dominance.
Wait what?
How can that be?
If these hot flash triggers are caused by estrogen dominance , then why would estrogen improve hot flash symptoms?
How can something be both part of the problem and the solution at the same time?
This is exactly what continues to confuse so many.
The truth is that while large amounts of estrogen may alleviate the severity of hot flashes, its certainly NOT part of the solution.
Studies show that estrogen effectively lowers both body temperature and the environmental temperature at which your body begins to release heat.
Chronic hormone replacement therapy alters thermoregulatory and vasomotor function in postmenopausal women.
These results suggest that 1) chronic ERT likely acts centrally to decrease Tre , 2) ERT lowers the Tre at which heat-loss effector mechanisms are initiated, primarily by actions on active cutaneous vasodilation, and 3) addition of exogenous progestins in HRT effectively blocks these effects.
In other words, its not fixing the problem.
Thyroid Problems With Hot Flashes
Hot flashes and thyroid problems are some of menopause’s most widespread and bothersome symptoms. To those unaware of the indicators associated with these episodes, an unexpected incident can be unsettling. Fortunately, plenty of information exists on how to manage hot flashes and thyroid problems.
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How To Effectively Combat Night Sweats
It may be worthwhile to test your thyroid function if you find yourself waking in the night with soaked pajamas and sheets. Slight irregularities in your thyroid can throw off your thermoregulation.
The following is a list of suggested strategies to relieve night sweats.
Find the right thyroid medication
Your body requires thyroid hormone replacement medication for optimal functioning if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. By replenishing your body with thyroid hormone, your metabolic processes will be able to regulate body temperature more effectively. When choosing thyroid medication with your doctor, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.
If you are a woman in menopause, the right thyroid medication may reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. Furthermore, regulating your thyroid may decrease your risk of complications related to both hypothyroidism and menopause.â
Hot Flashes: Is Your Thyroid Causing This Symptom
Hot flashes are symptoms often associated with menopause1.
It is often one of the very first symptoms that a woman experience when she is starting to go through menopause.
Hot flashes tend to become uncomfortable and inconvenient, not only causing embarrassing moments for a woman in public, but also leading to interruptions in her sleeping schedule.
Even though usually associated with menopause, often thought to be brought on by the fluctuations in estrogen levels among women who are going through this phase in life, it should be noted that there are other health concerns that may also lead to similar physiological effects that cause hot flashes as a symptom.
Additionally, it is important to note that some men have also reported experiencing hot flashes, which can obviously not be brought on as a menopausal symptom. For this reason, investigating additional causes for hot flashes may yield appropriate methods for implementing more effective treatment measures among patients suffering these symptoms.
The main purpose of this post is to examine how the thyroid is connected to hot flashes as a symptom.
Hot flashes are considered an official symptom of certain problems that may develop with the thyroid, and may occur in both men and women.
We will also consider additional factors that may influence the risk of the development of hot flashes.
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Symptoms Of Thyroid Problems In Women
Feeling tired, gaining or losing a few pounds, or having trouble sleeping? If so, you have plenty of company. These common complaints can be symptoms of a myriad of conditions, including disorders of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland. So how do you know whether or not to be concerned?
In women, changes to the menstrual cycle can be an indicator of a thyroid problem, but many things can influence the menstrual function.
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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Does Hypothyroidism Cause Night Sweats
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People who live with hypothyroidism struggle with heat regulation. Cold intolerance is the most common thermal symptom of hypothyroidism. However, some people may also experience night sweats. When the thyroid gland is compromised, and hormone levels are off-balance, you can experience uncomfortable temperature-related symptoms.
What Is The Treatment For Thyroid Disease Vs Menopause
Thyroid Disease Treatment
Thyroid Medications
Many thyroid medications can be used to treat the various thyroid disorders.This article will review the following therapies:
- Thyroid hormone replacement to treat hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer
- Medicines to treat hyperthyroidism
- Other treatments for hyperthyroidism
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Get To Know The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the front of your neck, below the voice box. The little gland produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and thus control how the body makes use of energy. In doing so, it influences the reproductive system, nearly every organ . as well as biological functions such as appetite, hormonal balance, digestion, heart beat, and muscle strength.
The thyroid gland can go out of whack, pumping out an excess or lower amounts of thyroid hormones than the body needs. Hypothyroidism, a deficiency of thyroid hormones, is common and it affects nearly one out of every 20 Americans. Also known as underactive thyroid, itâs a condition in which the gland doesnât make sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones to meet the bodyâs quota. Consequently, the pituitary gland floods the bloodstream with TSH to try to correct the shortfall.
Women Of All Ages Get Hot Flashes
It is estimated that over 75% of perimenopausal women suffer from hot flashes. Although most prominent in women during the menopausal stage of life, any age of women can experience them.
Hot flashes can be described as flushing with a sensation of warmth or heat on the upper body and face. For some women, they may occasionally occur with no real impact on their lives, while other women suffer with intense cyclical occurrences that disrupt their daily lives.
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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.
What Happens In The Body During A Hot Flash
During a hot flash, its common to feel a sudden rush of warmth in the upper body. You could sweat, and your skin can even turn red, too, as if youre blushing.
Hot flashes are nothing to be embarrassed about, though. Theres a perfectly normal reason why this is happening.
When your bodys estrogen levels decrease, its thought that this change makes your body a little more sensitive to temperature. Reed explains that before a hot flash, your hypothalamus, aka the part of your brain that helps regulate your body temperature, will notice a small increase in your body temperature. Then, it kind of… overreacts.
Despite noticing small increases in your temperature, your hypothalamus thinks youre too warm. It sends signals to your body to help you cool down, which causes the blood vessels to dilate near the skin to help your body give off heat. Reed says that sweating is another cooling mechanism the body uses.
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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.
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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What Does A Hot Flash Feel Like
Hot flashes, or night sweats when they happen at night, are sudden feelings of warmth that often appear to occur without reason, says Dr. Susan Reed, vice chair for research at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
If youve had hot flashes before, its likely you felt them in your torso, neck and face. You may also have anxiety, palpitations, and flushing or redness in the face, neck and chest.
A hot flash usually lasts about 2 to 10 minutes, says Reed. It may be followed by a feeling of chilliness. The intensity varies from a feeling of mild warmth to intense heat.
All of that is not great, especially given the unpredictability of a hot flash and that they can continue recurring for years after they begin.
If You Suspect Youre In Menopause Alloy Can Help
If your doctor has ruled out a thyroid disorder, its likely that youve entered menopause. Were here to help. Alloys menopause-trained doctors are experts in identifying and treating menopause symptoms so that you can rebalance your hormones and find relief.
If youre experiencing menopause symptoms and need a helping hand through this rite of passage, trust Alloy to create a menopause hormone therapy plan that will help deliver the peace of mind you deserve. We make it easyjust take our free assessment or browse our solutions.
Menopause, above all else, is a journey. Were here to make that journey as simple as possible.
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When Should You Consider Testing
If youâve been gaining weight, or your LDL cholesterol has been going up unexplainably, you should consider getting tested. If you have other definite symptoms of hypothyroidism â like cold sensitivity, slowed heart rate, a puffy face, or goiter , you should speak with your doctor about being tested.
If youâre a senior older than sixty, you may benefit from getting tested even if you are generally healthy. A blood TSH test is the single most sensitive and reliable test when checking for an underactive or overreactive thyroid.
What Can You Do To Eliminate Hot Flashes
I wrote a FREE eBook called The Adrenal Code. Unlocking the secrets to boosting energy, increasing vitality, and obtaining the body you desire. This eBook is jam-packed with additional information about adrenal health and steps that you can do to improve yours. This would be a great resource for anyone who is struggling with thyroid and hormonal symptoms and is looking for a natural way to improve their health. You can check it out and download your FREE copy here.
About the Author
Dr. Tunis Hunt is on a mission to educate, inspire, and empower the world to reach their health potentials. Practicing health and nutrition since 2005, Dr Hunt has seen thousands of lives changed as he built one of the largest wellness clinics in the United States. Dr. Hunt is the author of 3 books. The Adrenal Code a guide to help individuals boost their energy, improve their vitality and regain the body they desire, The Healthy Detox Diet and 7 Habits of Healthy People. These books combine to educate, inspire, and empower readers to take control of their health with practical tips and advice. For more interesting articles by Dr. Tunis Hunt, head over to his website, DrTunisJr, follow him on , and subscribe to his page on . This article from Dr.Tunis.
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Hyperthyroid Symptoms In Girls:
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. Also referred to as an overactive thyroid condition where the bodys overall metabolism increases.
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Swelling of the neck: Another early sign of hyperthyroidism in young girls is swelling of the neck, also known as goitre.
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Sudden weight loss: while a certain degree of fluctuation in weight is regular throughout your life, excessive weight loss is not. An overactive thyroid can induce unexpected and abrupt weight loss in young girls.
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Menstrual irregularities: A womans menstrual cycle could become irregular throughout adolescence. However, this could be due to hormonal abnormalities in the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones play an essential role in the bodys reproductive system and affect the menstrual cycle. If you have abnormally light or heavy periods, it might be related to hyperthyroidism.
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Difficulty in concentrating: Another primary symptom included with Hyperthyroidism in young girls is difficulty concentrating and a shorter attention span which can hamper their studies.
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Mood swings: Hyperthyroidism is commonly accompanied by excessive anger and extreme anxiety.
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Hand tremors: hyperthyroidism can cause excessive tremors in the hands.
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Skin problems: An overactive thyroid can result in overly oily and itchy skin.