For those who may not be aware, the thyroid gland directly affects body temperature control and how our body tolerates the different weather conditions.

During periods of extreme cold or heat, the thyroid undergoes complex changes to help our bodies adapt to the challenge. These changes are essential for maintaining balance but can also stress the thyroid gland, potentially leading to thyroid-related problems. For patients with thyroid disease, the changes in weather conditions can exacerbate thyroid disease symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased metabolism and an increased body temperature. These thyroid hormones can influence how much the blood vessels dilate, which in turn affects how much heat escapes the body. For people with a normal thyroid gland, the gland can cool the body through a process called Cold Induced Thermogenesis (CIT), in cases where the weather is hot.

However , for people with a dysfunctional thyroid gland, the CIT process is bypassed. Due to this, thyroid patients may experience more hyperthyroid symptoms like;

• Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
• Hyperactivity – you may find it hard to stay still and have a lot of nervous energy
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling tired all the time
• Sensitivity to heat
• Muscle weakness
• Diarrhoea
• Needing to pee more often than usual
• Persistent thirst
• Itchiness
• Loss of interest in sex and many more

If you are e hyperthyroid patient and living in hot areas;
Your thyroid will work less efficiently in hot weather conditions which can make the thyroid work less efficiently. This may then require dosage increases and adjustments in thyroid medication.
Your T3 and T4 may increase, while your TSH will reduce, in a quest to meet your body’s needs.
You may also become heat intolerant: When you’re hyperthyroid, you may be overproducing too much thyroid hormone that will convert and utilize energy too fast. This means that your body may experience too much heat compared to people with normal thyroid hormone levels in this same weather environment. When you experience hot temperatures, your body mounts a defense mechanism to cool itself by sending blood to the hands and feet.(the reason why your hands and feet are always sweaty)

( For hypothyroid patients, the opposite happens)
You’re at increased risk of hyperthermia: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism, making people more sensitive to hot temperatures. People with hyperthyroidism are also at greater risk of suffering from hyperthermia, a potentially life-threatening condition when exposed to extreme hot temperatures.
You may lose weight: Hyperthyroidism’s already fast metabolic symptom, combined with too much sweating and fast digestion of food, can cause thyroid patients to lose weight very fast.
If you are a hyperthyroid patient, here are a few tips to maneuver through this hot season

GET YOUR THYROID LEVELS CHECKED- Most important
Yes, even if you were ‘within range’ just a couple of months ago, the heat may trigger your hyperthyroid symptoms. If your heat intolerance is more noticeable than usual, it could be an indicator that your thyroid hormones are running too high and your doctor may need to up your dosage slightly to deal with the heat.
It may also be worth checking your antibody levels, especially for Graves disease patients as you may be experiencing a flare if your thyroid issues are autoimmune in nature.

EXERCISE WITH CAUTION

Exercise and Physical activity is a balancing act when you have an overactive thyroid. During the hot season, it’s critical that you are sensible about exercise and err on the side of caution. That means:
Working out in an air-conditioned space if possible e.g. a gym
If you don’t have access to air-con, exercise when the temp is the lowest (early morning is best, as late evening may be too stimulating before bed)
Opt for lower-intensity exercise options – skip the HIIT and hectic CrossFit sessions and save your heart.
Watch out for your warning signs – heart rate, and feeling dizzy I mean. And always have someone near by when working out.

WEAR LIGHT, LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHES

What you wear can make a big difference to your temperature regulation, Wear lighter material/colors as much as possible. These reflect the sunlight, whereas darker colors can absorb heat and make you feel much hotter.(I’m sure you know this)

Loose-fitting garments are also best, as they improve ventilation.

COOL DOWN WITH COOL DRINKS

This is where the Kefirs and the Kombucha’s come in. Opt for healthy and refreshing drinks instead of Sodas and other carbonated drinks which are bad for your gut and thyroid health in general. Enjoy the sizzling taste of Cool Kombucha or the chocolatey taste of Kefir from @kombuchakenya. These are filled with gut-friendly bacteria, and other health benefits, but are still fun and enjoyable in the hot weather.

Call our friends over @kombuchakenya and get yourself a bottle of Kombucha or Kefir.

HAVE A CHILL NIGHT ROUTINE

After a day of feeling overheated, you may struggle to cool down enough to get a good night of rest. But we also know that sleep is very important for hyperthyroid patients.! So here’s what can you do

Take a cool shower before bed to lower your core temperature
Use a light blanket or sheet, rather than a heavy duvet/ blanket
Opt for cotton or bamboo bedding, as they are more breathable and stay cooler
Cool the room as much as possible before bed with either a fan or air-con If living in humid places like Mombasa, or simply opening the windows slightly for fresh air to circulate in the room through the night.

#thetdakfoundation

#promoting thyroid health.