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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Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Sep 9 2:30pm

This discussion seems to have resurfaced pertaining to sweating and Levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism. In my husband’s case (he had thyroid cancer and his thyroid was removed) it is to replace the function of the thyroid. He has experienced that his levels (TSH, T3, T4) have to be monitored and the dose adjusted from time to time. He does to “run hot” year round and we live in Minnesota! I posted about this early on in the discussion.
My own experience with overheating and thyroid was early 2000’s when I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I was in my early 40’s. I was hot and sweaty most of the time. I was also full of energy, never hungry, never tired but didn’t realize it at the time. I thought I might be starting early menopause. At a routine follow up appointment for something else I mentioned it to my provider. She ordered some tests and diagnosed me with hyperthyroidism. Then she prescribed a medication for it.
My point is that temperature disturbances can be related to thyroid function &/or thyroid medication. My answer to this is to ask your provider. Perhaps some testing is needed or maybe an adjustment in medication dose.

sahill4 | @sahill4 | 4 days ago

I am on 112.5 mg levothyroxine and I am having terrible sweating events. I’m also hypothyroid and have bouts of very low blood sugar (47-55). I’m in the process of several tests to find out what the issue is, but I can’t help but believe it’s the levithyroxine. I’m also on a couple other drugs.