1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Can Levothyroxine cause Sweating and Hot Flashes?

Posted by Gail, Alumni Mentor @baxtersmom, Jan 7, 2020

I started on Levothryroxine around September of last year after testing borderline hypothyroid and complaining of fatigue. After being on 25 mcg except for 3 days a week where I take 50, it got my TSH back to around 2.5 as I recall. I am having the most awful sweating episodes it is as if I am going through menopause all over again. Has anyone had this experience with Levothyroxine? I take some other meds so it is hard to know if this is the culprit but it is the one I began most recently and seems most likely the cause at least to me. I should probably get tested again but is it possible that even if your TSH is where they want it to be (they tested the free T3, T4 and some other things as well) that this particular medication just doesn't agree with me? Has anyone had levothyroxine cause sweating?

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stella76 | @stella76 | Nov 17, 2021
In reply to @elsamay "Have you gotten any answers? I have been on Levothryroxine or years and from the first..." + (show)
@elsamay

Have you gotten any answers? I have been on Levothryroxine or years and from the first time I went on it I notices excessive sweating with exercise or in even moderate heat/sun, and possibly in high stress situations. My doctor switched me to brand name Synthroid to see if that would make a difference, but it didn't. Now we are discussing switching to Tirosint to see if that helps. This is not does dependent because at times my dosage was too low and needed to be increased -- the profuse sweating was sill a problem even when my dosage was too low.

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Im on levothyorine 200mg hair is comingout

perhaps to much of meds

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Nov 17, 2021

My husband had thyroid cancer and had it removed about 13 years ago. He is cancer free but is on levothyroxine for life. He does seem to sweat a lot (especially at night). He lies on top of the covers and I change his pillow case every day. During the day he is comfortable in shorts and a T-shirt and also uses fans around the house. He can do this year round and we live in Minnesota!

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Nov 19, 2021

I’m on Synthroid-I had started on generic levothyroxine. Apparently, the bioavailability differs in different people.
I have not experienced the sweating- it must be very uncomfortable.
If thyroid levels are normal I’m speculating that the drug is absorbed differently in some people. Also, the artificial replacement can never duplicate how the body manages the release and distribution.
Curious- has anyone of you with sweating received an explanation from your doctors?

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1 reply
krisjb1 | @krisjb1 | Nov 20, 2021

I have been on various thyroid meds for over 30 years. The only time I have observed excessive perspiration is when the med dosage is too high. In reality the TSH is not a sufficient monitor for the amount needed for optimal health-or at least as much health as you can experience when you don't have a natural balance created by your own body. Synthroid is only T-4. You need that of course, and your TSH level will show that the pituitary gland is requesting it, but that does not mean your body is making it or using it correctly. There is a required conversion that takes place in order to get T-3. If you are not converting into free T 3 or if your conversion is into reverse T-3 you have to work on that. Reverse T-3 just sits around in the background and is not always required for a particular situation. Ask your dr. for the whole range of tests-not just TSH. You will discover the reason for sweating if you have a knowledgeable assessment of all the levels.

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1 reply
jaderm | @jaderm | Dec 2, 2021

Has anyone experienced fainting spells with medication being to high or low?

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beckyfrum64 | @beckyfrum64 | Feb 6, 2022
In reply to @adpetty "May I ask what your TSH Levels are. My Endo keeps taking me to less than..." + (show)
@adpetty

May I ask what your TSH Levels are. My Endo keeps taking me to less than 2. 0 and says that is good. I know better because my hair gets brittle and my nails and skin around my nails get so brittle that my the skin around my thumb nails split. I told him it was too low and to change it. He did change it and my hair and nails became some better, but the sweating and heat intolerance will not go away. What is funny to me is, the profuse sweating and heat intolerance are symptoms that you are to call your doctor about if you start experiencing them. He says he has been doing this for 10 years and I am the only person that has this problem. I told him it is because most women believe it is menopause. He is a PA, but I would think he would be consulting with the doctor about my issues. I am at a loss as what to do. I went off the meds for 4 months and my TSH went to 15.0

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You are not the only one this is happening to. My anxiety was at an all time high I felt most days like I was losing my mind. Then the constant sweating and heat intolerance, it’s February, it’s 10 degrees and I’m dripping in sweat, this is not normal. I transitioned from 75 to 50 and did okay for a while and then my heart rate went up again, waking up soaking wet, over anxious, severe anxiety again, I’ve now cut it to 25 and I’m still sweating, my hair and fingernails are a mess, but the constant being on edge feeling is gone for now. I think I’m just going to try to go off it. My numbers weren’t that high to begin with 7.6 and last time I had it checked they were 2. I’d rather be tired than feel like that. I’ve had enough.

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catherinebird | @catherinebird | May 8, 2023

Have you found any solution to this issue? I can’t tolerate my thyroid medication due to extreme sweating, even on the low dose I am on and it’s not enough.

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catherinebird | @catherinebird | May 8, 2023
In reply to @astaingegerdm "I’m on Synthroid-I had started on generic levothyroxine. Apparently, the bioavailability differs in different people. I..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

I’m on Synthroid-I had started on generic levothyroxine. Apparently, the bioavailability differs in different people.
I have not experienced the sweating- it must be very uncomfortable.
If thyroid levels are normal I’m speculating that the drug is absorbed differently in some people. Also, the artificial replacement can never duplicate how the body manages the release and distribution.
Curious- has anyone of you with sweating received an explanation from your doctors?

Jump to this post

No, no explanation. Can’t live like this. On way to low a dose but can’t tolerate any more. The sweating disappears if I stop taking the Synthroid, but that’s not an option.

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catherinebird | @catherinebird | May 8, 2023
In reply to @krisjb1 "I have been on various thyroid meds for over 30 years. The only time I have..." + (show)
@krisjb1

I have been on various thyroid meds for over 30 years. The only time I have observed excessive perspiration is when the med dosage is too high. In reality the TSH is not a sufficient monitor for the amount needed for optimal health-or at least as much health as you can experience when you don't have a natural balance created by your own body. Synthroid is only T-4. You need that of course, and your TSH level will show that the pituitary gland is requesting it, but that does not mean your body is making it or using it correctly. There is a required conversion that takes place in order to get T-3. If you are not converting into free T 3 or if your conversion is into reverse T-3 you have to work on that. Reverse T-3 just sits around in the background and is not always required for a particular situation. Ask your dr. for the whole range of tests-not just TSH. You will discover the reason for sweating if you have a knowledgeable assessment of all the levels.

Jump to this post

They’ve done all the tests. My numbers are extremely low, but can’t tolerate the medication. No explanation.

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catherinebird | @catherinebird | May 8, 2023
In reply to @adpetty "I am having the same issue. when I quit taking it, all the symptoms went away...." + (show)
@adpetty

I am having the same issue. when I quit taking it, all the symptoms went away. It doesn't matter what the dose is, it still causes heat intolerance and profuse sweating.

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Same here

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