What diseases cause hot flashes?
Most hot flashes are caused by perimenopause or menopause, not by a disease. But a few medical conditions can cause them too.
The main disease-related causes in our information are an overactive thyroid, also called hyperthyroidism, and certain cancers. The cancers mentioned include Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, mesothelioma, bone cancer, liver cancer, carcinoid tumors, and in expert discussion, kidney cancers as well. In people who suddenly develop brand new hot flashes years after menopause, doctors may also think about infections like tuberculosis, or inflammatory conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
A couple of clues matter. Thyroid-related hot flashes can show up with weight loss, heart palpitations, insomnia, bulging eyes, or a goiter in the neck. Cancer-related sweating is often more noticeable at night, and may come with symptoms like fever, easy bruising, or unusual bleeding.
If you want a fuller breakdown, our article on what causes hot flashes is a good place to start, and we also have more on thyroid issues and menopause. For a quick expert explanation of when new hot flashes may point to something other than menopause, this chapter is useful: New hot flashes years after menopause.
If your hot flashes are menopause-related and are getting hard to live with, here at Alloy we also offer treatment options like estradiol and low-dose paroxetine.
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