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What Causes Excessive Sweating?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Apr 2014
Question: I have hyperhydrosis. The least bit of activity or warming makes me sweat profusely. I sweat so bad I can't keep a hairdo because my hair is always wet. I need to change my shirt twice after showering before I can leave the house. I drive to my destinations with the air conditioner on my care blowing full blast on me even in winter so I can arrive dry. I am a 70 year old female.. I am overweight, hypothyroid, mild depression, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The sweating is very debilitating and affects every area of my life. What kind of doctor should I see to find out what is causing this and if there is a cure?
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Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (16 hours later)
Brief Answer: Endocrine Detailed Answer: I am sorry to hear about the frustrating symptoms you are experiencing. There are a few hormonal causes of sweating. 1 Menopause I understand you are well past menopause but menopausal hot flashes can occur at any age after menopause 2 Overactive thyroid If your TSH is normal, then this condition is virtually ruled out 3 Hypoglycemia When one's blood glucose is low, sweating occurs. I see you do not have diabetes. Moreover, sweating that occurs in hypoglycemia is not sustained and persistent as in your case 4 Pheochromocytoma This is a rare and typically benign tumor of the adrenal glands that produces excess 'adrenaline' type of hormones. This results in episodes of sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath and headache A simple blood test called Plasma Fractionated Metanephrines is a good way way to screen for this. 5 Acromegaly Another very rare condition which can cause excessive sweating. A blood test called serum IGF1 (insulin like Growth Factor 1) will help diagnose this condition
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Sweating?

Brief Answer: Endocrine Detailed Answer: I am sorry to hear about the frustrating symptoms you are experiencing. There are a few hormonal causes of sweating. 1 Menopause I understand you are well past menopause but menopausal hot flashes can occur at any age after menopause 2 Overactive thyroid If your TSH is normal, then this condition is virtually ruled out 3 Hypoglycemia When one's blood glucose is low, sweating occurs. I see you do not have diabetes. Moreover, sweating that occurs in hypoglycemia is not sustained and persistent as in your case 4 Pheochromocytoma This is a rare and typically benign tumor of the adrenal glands that produces excess 'adrenaline' type of hormones. This results in episodes of sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath and headache A simple blood test called Plasma Fractionated Metanephrines is a good way way to screen for this. 5 Acromegaly Another very rare condition which can cause excessive sweating. A blood test called serum IGF1 (insulin like Growth Factor 1) will help diagnose this condition