Alternative Names: Sensitivity to heat; Intolerance to heat

Considerations:

Heat intolerance often produces a feeling of being overheated, and can produce heavy sweating. Heat intolerance usually comes on slowly and persists long-term.

Common Causes:

• Thyrotoxicosis (excess thyroid hormone, which increases the metabolic rate, causing body temperature to rise)
• Amphetamines such as appetite suppressants
• Caffeine
• Menopause

Home Care:

Room temperature should be kept at a comfortable level. Drinking lots of fluids is recommended.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if there is persistent and unexplained heat intolerance.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting heat intolerance in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • Have you had heat intolerance before?
  • Have you always had difficulty tolerating heat?
  • When did you begin to develop heat intolerance?
  • Do you often feel hot when other people do not complain of the heat?
• Associated complaints
  • Is it worse when you exercise?
  • What other symptoms are present? Especially, is there:
    • Fainting
    • Vomiting
    • Dizziness
    • Palpitations
    • Rapid pulse (heart rate)

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Blood studies
• Thyroid studies (TSH, T3, free T4)

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to heat intolerance to your personal medical record.