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What Causes Night Sweats?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Dec 2014
Question: Off and on ive been having night sweats. Not drenching - i dont have to change my clothes or bedding. Usually my chest and upper back will grt hot and sweaty, ill wake up and fall right back to sleep. I mentioned it to my OBGYNthe other day when i was in for a possible uti (urine dip was negative) and he checked my lymph nodes and felt my abdomen and said everything felt normal. I dont have any other symptoms - no fevers (unless im having them at night and dont know about it) no weight loss, appetite is normal, no unusual fatigue, no bone pain, ect. I do have a "bloated" feeling in my upper left abdomen, mainly in my back. My OBGYN also felt the area and said he didnt feel any masses and he gently pounded on my back and said he didnt think i had any kidney stones. Im really really scared this could be leukemia or lymphoma. Please help. Very scared.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Timothy Raichle (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thyroid disease must be ruled out...

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the question and thank you for visiting this site.

In reviewing your prior questions looking for common threads, I do see that you are treated for thyroid disease. Please answer the following questions:

1. What medication do you take?
2. What is the dose?
3. When is the last time you adjusted the dose?
4. When is the last time you had your thyroid labs checked?
5. What time of day do you take these medications?

Please answer these questions and I will try to help you.

Dr. Raichle
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Follow up: Dr. Timothy Raichle (8 minutes later)
I have hypothyroidism. I take 50mcg of levothyroxine every morning before breakfast. My thyroid levels were checked in May.

Ive been taking the meds on time and as I should for the past two weeks. Prior to that I wasnt keeping up with taking the medication as I should and I missed a lot of days off and on for about a month. But for the past two weeks, I'm back on schedule, taking 1 pill every morning before breakfast. Can HYPOthyroidism cause night sweats? I thought only HYPERthyroidism did that.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Timothy Raichle (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Poor control of thyroid disease is possible...

Detailed Answer:
I understand that it can be hard to remember to take the pill every day at the same time. You are not alone and do not punish yourself for this. But, in patients with hyper OR hypothyroidism, poor control can lead to a variety of symptoms with a lot of overlap of symptoms as well. Yes, you could have "temperature instability" just as you have described related to the irregular pattern of pill use prior to two weeks ago. Here is what should happen:

1. Continue to take the pills at the same time daily
2. You could consider taking these in the evening instead of the morning
3. You need to have labs checked in 2-3 weeks and the dose adjusted if needed

You really cannot make any conclusions about the symptoms you are experiencing until you get this sorted out.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Timothy Raichle (22 minutes later)
But should I be worried about cancer? Are the night sweats I described true night sweats seen in canced patients? Should I be worried?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Timothy Raichle (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This is not a specific sign of cancer

Detailed Answer:
There are more women with night sweats and no cancer than those who have cancer. Do not make such assumptions or you will drive yourself crazy. I would suggest that you re-read my answer and consider following those instructions as I believe that you will find a much simpler solution.

Good luck!
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Timothy Raichle

OBGYN

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 1687 Questions

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What Causes Night Sweats?

Brief Answer: Thyroid disease must be ruled out... Detailed Answer: Thank you for the question and thank you for visiting this site. In reviewing your prior questions looking for common threads, I do see that you are treated for thyroid disease. Please answer the following questions: 1. What medication do you take? 2. What is the dose? 3. When is the last time you adjusted the dose? 4. When is the last time you had your thyroid labs checked? 5. What time of day do you take these medications? Please answer these questions and I will try to help you. Dr. Raichle