What Causes Persistent Sweating In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Sun, 19 Feb 2017

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

Sun, 19 Feb 2017 Answered on

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My sister in law ...85 yrs of age, had thyroid removed five years ago, Her primary complaint ...daily ...is that she experiences ..24/7 excessive ( INTERNAL) sweats ...has to wear light summer clothing in dead of winter
Etc...thyroid ,with 88 mag synthroid , is on target ( recent reduction to 88) no one has an answer ,,,,
I would think there must me a simple solution and it does not seem to be rare ..and it's NOT menopause.
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Reduce the dose;

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking on HCM!

I can understand your concern regarding to your sister's health!
The symptoms you reported are suggestive of an levothyroxine overdosage.
Normally, the dose of levothyroxine is adjusted according to TSH level, but for her age the normal ranges of TSH are higher ( should be maintained at 6 mUi/ml instead of 4 mUi/ ml that is the normal range). Anyway, her treating physician may reduce the dose even if TSH reaches levels up to 10 mUi/ ml in order to improve the symptoms.
So, the dose needed is lower in patients at these ages.
Hope the reduction of levothyroxine in 88 mcg will improve the situation.
Hope i have been helpful.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad