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What Can Cause Extreme Heat Intolerance And Excessive Sweating? When
Question: What can cause extreme heat intolerance and excessive sweating? When it's hot out (for me, anything over 73 degrees) and I'm outside for a while, I feel lethargic, lightheaded, and like I can't really function. I've never passed out, but I've had episodes in the past where I get really lightheaded and my vision goes white or red. I sweat a lot, all over my body, even when it's not that hot out. I also do not feel well in cold weather (anything under 50ish degrees)- my whole body (especially ears and nose) hurts, and I can't seem to get warm until I've been inside for a while.
Brief Answer:
Many causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using 'Ask a Doctor'. There could be many causes of excessive sweating, possibly with heat intolerance. The first thing I would want to check for is thyroid hormone to rule out hyperthyroidism, which can cause these symptoms, as well as other symptoms such as nervousness, weight loss, and palpitations.
If your thyroid hormone turns out to be normal, I would look at less likely possibilities, such as chronic infections, any medications that you use, some neurological conditions, and very rarely some kinds of cancer. This would start with basic blood tests such as CBC and complete metabolic panel, as well as a complete physical exam.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Many causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using 'Ask a Doctor'. There could be many causes of excessive sweating, possibly with heat intolerance. The first thing I would want to check for is thyroid hormone to rule out hyperthyroidism, which can cause these symptoms, as well as other symptoms such as nervousness, weight loss, and palpitations.
If your thyroid hormone turns out to be normal, I would look at less likely possibilities, such as chronic infections, any medications that you use, some neurological conditions, and very rarely some kinds of cancer. This would start with basic blood tests such as CBC and complete metabolic panel, as well as a complete physical exam.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Does the thyroid regulate body temperature? If that's the case it seems likely to be related to that. I get palpitations occasionally, but I thought that might be because of my general anxiety disorder. I know the entire issue isn't because of that diagnosis, though, bc I've been experiencing heat intolerance since I was a kid.
Do you know what range the thyroid hormone would be at for this kind of condition?
What kind of chronic infections and neurological conditions would you look for if it's not a thyroid issue?
Do you know what range the thyroid hormone would be at for this kind of condition?
What kind of chronic infections and neurological conditions would you look for if it's not a thyroid issue?
Brief Answer:
First blood test is for TSH
Detailed Answer:
The initial test for thyroid function is TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which would be low and less than 0.5 mIU/L for hyperthyroid patients. That would be the first thing I would check. For infections, it would be rare, but I would evaluate for HIV, tuberculosis, or endocarditis; however, if you are not actually having fevers, evaluation for infections would probably not be necessary. For neurological conditions, I would consider injury to the spinal cord causing autonomic dysreflexia, but this would be rare and a normal neurological exam would likely rule it out.
If nothing is found, I would suspect an anxiety disorder could be responsible, and I would focus on treating that and see if it helps.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
First blood test is for TSH
Detailed Answer:
The initial test for thyroid function is TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which would be low and less than 0.5 mIU/L for hyperthyroid patients. That would be the first thing I would check. For infections, it would be rare, but I would evaluate for HIV, tuberculosis, or endocarditis; however, if you are not actually having fevers, evaluation for infections would probably not be necessary. For neurological conditions, I would consider injury to the spinal cord causing autonomic dysreflexia, but this would be rare and a normal neurological exam would likely rule it out.
If nothing is found, I would suspect an anxiety disorder could be responsible, and I would focus on treating that and see if it helps.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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