What Causes Persistent Hot Flashes In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Sun, 7 May 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 May 2017 Answered on

Tue, 30 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a male age 82 years. I seem to be having since about a month Hot flashes at night when I a sleep which wakes me up and makes me uncomfortable

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About hot flashes causes;

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone carefully through your concern.
the most common cause of hot flashes in men, are; severe testosterone depletion, over active thyroid, high blood pressure etc.
I would recommend to check the blood pressure at that moment (in some cases it is manifested with hot flashes) and do some biochemical 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).
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Calcium
Testosterone level

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day.

Will be a pleasure to help you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj