Symptom 9: Heat Intolerance – A Surprising Symptom
Heat intolerance is one of the less frequently discussed but surprisingly common symptoms of acute infectious thyroiditis. This symptom manifests as a disproportionate feeling of warmth, even in moderately warm environments. Often, people suffering from this condition describe a heightened sensitivity to heat, leading to significant discomfort and excessive sweating.
The key to understanding why heat intolerance occurs lies in the function of the thyroid gland. This gland produces hormones that play a crucial role in controlling our body’s metabolism, essentially our internal engine that burns energy. If the thyroid gland is infected and begins to produce an excess of these hormones, this engine goes into overdrive, leading to increased heat production.
This increase in internal body heat can be difficult for the body to manage effectively, leading to feelings of overheating or an inability to cool down. This might be particularly noticeable during physical exertion or in warm environments, resulting in excessive sweating or even a heat rash in severe cases. (9)
