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What Causes Hot Flashes When Diagnosed With Graves' Disease?
Question: I suffer from Graves Disease. I have been on methimazole for about a year and a half. I am down to 2.5 mg every other day. I just had bloodwork done and all my levels are within normal range. I am however suffering hot flashes all day and night. They are frequent sometimes as often as every 30-45 minutes. My head, neck and chest are most affected. I have my thermostat set to a level that the rest of my household dresses like it is winter. My body is warm even when I am not having a flash. I am 48 years old but these episodes seem to happening so often. I just wondered if the Graves could still cause problems even if my levels are fine. I am also gaining weight and my face looks puffy. I have tested low positive on my ANA but my doctor does not feel it is necessary to do further testing for lupus at this time. Do you think my hot episodes are thyroid or menopause related or something else.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If the thyroid labs are normal, it is unlikely to be the cause of any of your symptoms. In fact, this is often a time when most endocrinologist worldwide tend to offer tapering of methimazole to their patients ie after 1.5 years of treatment provided thyroid labs are normal as is the case with you.
It is possible you may be naturally in peri-menopause ie nearing menopause. Hot flashes can begin during this phase. A blood test for FSH will give a fair idea if you are getting there. The result would be a number higher than usual for a woman who is still not in menopause or peri-menopause.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
FSH
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If the thyroid labs are normal, it is unlikely to be the cause of any of your symptoms. In fact, this is often a time when most endocrinologist worldwide tend to offer tapering of methimazole to their patients ie after 1.5 years of treatment provided thyroid labs are normal as is the case with you.
It is possible you may be naturally in peri-menopause ie nearing menopause. Hot flashes can begin during this phase. A blood test for FSH will give a fair idea if you are getting there. The result would be a number higher than usual for a woman who is still not in menopause or peri-menopause.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
FSH
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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