If you’re always freezing when everyone else is comfortable, or constantly overheating no matter the season, you might assume it’s just how your body is.
But that’s not necessarily the case. Poor temperature regulation is one of the most overlooked signs of a thyroid issue.
Your thyroid is a small gland, but it has big jobs; it helps control your metabolism, body temperature, and even your energy production. When it’s not working, your internal thermostat can swing in either direction.
Take a moment as our team of primary care providers at Select Family Practice and Urgent Care in Raleigh, North Carolina, explains how your thyroid can cause temperature issues and how we can help you feel better.
The thyroid gland produces hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine (T3 and T4, respectively) that help regulate how quickly your body uses energy.
T4 is the storage hormone. Your thyroid makes a lot of it, but it doesn’t do much until your body converts it into T3. Think of T4 as the inactive form waiting to be activated.
T3 is the active hormone. It’s the one that tells your body how fast to burn energy, how warm to stay, and how strong your metabolism should be. It’s like your body’s gas pedal.
When your thyroid hormones are out of balance, your internal thermostat is as well. That’s why temperature issues are a clear sign that something’s off.
With a slower metabolism, your body doesn’t produce enough heat to keep you comfortable.
You may feel hot, sweaty, or unable to tolerate heat because your system is burning through energy too quickly, almost as if it’s stuck in overdrive.
An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid condition, so if you suspect your internal thermostat feels broken, don’t ignore it.
Poor temperature control is a red flag, but it often comes with other symptoms, including:
These symptoms can sneak up on you, making thyroid problems hard to spot without help.
If your hot and cold spells don’t match the environment (or everyone around you), it’s worth scheduling a thyroid evaluation. A simple blood test can identify thyroid dysfunction quickly and accurately.
Left untreated, thyroid problems can impact every part of your health, including your heart, metabolism, and fertility.
If your symptoms point to a thyroid imbalance, we can run labs to see whether your levels are off. From there, your Select Family Practice and Urgent Care provider can prescribe targeted medication such as levothyroxine for low T4 or combination therapies that support T3 and T4.
The goal of thyroid disease management is to steady your metabolism and help you feel like yourself again.
Whether you’re dealing with unexplained chills, constant warmth, or other symptoms that don’t feel right, we help you get the answers you need.
To get started, call us at 919-676-0202 or request your appointment online today.
