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What Causes Severe Chills In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Mon, 24 Oct 2016
Question: my husband is 81 years old and sometimes gets chilled even to shaking. the furnace has to be set at 75 degrees all year round and even then he is cold! he had his right knee replaced 7 weeks ago and had a bad infection in it so he was hospitalized 6 days. 2 wweks ago he had a cataract removed from his left eye but there were no complications

my husband reminded me that we see his knee surgeon tomorrow. Hopefully, he can answer this
question.
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Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please, get his thyroid hormones checked!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this inability to maintain normal body temperatures. This is in most cases caused by a low functioning thyroid gland. I will suggest that he gets his thyroid hormone levels checked. Other accompanying signs are often slow pulse, constipation, dry skin, etc. Please, share this with the surgeon and hear what his take is. He may also request this test as well.

I hope this helps. I wish you and your husband well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, keep m posted on the outcome of this visit tomorrow.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Causes Severe Chills In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: Please, get his thyroid hormones checked! Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this inability to maintain normal body temperatures. This is in most cases caused by a low functioning thyroid gland. I will suggest that he gets his thyroid hormone levels checked. Other accompanying signs are often slow pulse, constipation, dry skin, etc. Please, share this with the surgeon and hear what his take is. He may also request this test as well. I hope this helps. I wish you and your husband well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, keep m posted on the outcome of this visit tomorrow.