5. Alterations in Body Temperature: The Thermal Switch
Our body’s ability to regulate temperature is another function that can be compromised due to silent thyroiditis. As the thyroid hormone is directly involved in managing the body’s metabolic rate, any disruption in its levels can affect the body’s temperature regulation. Consequently, people with silent thyroiditis might experience sensitivity to cold or heat, depending on the phase of the condition.
During the initial hyperthyroid phase, where the thyroid is overactive, your body may generate more heat than usual due to an increased metabolic rate. This heightened heat production can make you feel unusually warm or cause excessive sweating, even in a cool environment. You might notice that you’re feeling hot when others around you are comfortable, or you might sweat profusely even without any strenuous activity.
Conversely, as silent thyroiditis progresses into the hypothyroid phase and the thyroid becomes underactive, your metabolic rate decreases, and heat production declines. As a result, you might feel excessively cold, even in a warm environment. (5)
