Hot flashes are traditionally linked to menopause, epecially to estrogen deficiency. And it is probably the most common cause of hot flashes. However hot flashes can be caused by multipe other reasons, some of them are even much more important and may be life threatening.

Esteogene deficieny is probably the most common couase of hot flashes. If found it needs to be correcged with transdermal estrogen, which is the most important component of hormone replacemen therapy.

Progesterone deficiency can contribute to hot flashes, therefore it needs to be corrected as well with hormone replacement therapy.

Cortisol deficiency may cause hot flashes. Therefore at least 24 urine collection for cortisole should be done. If cortisole deficieny is found, then it should be compensated with hormone replacement therapy.

Hyperthyroidism can cause hot flashes, indistinquishable from menopausal hot flashes.

Chills  with sweating because of infection or tumors sometimes can be interpreted as hot flashes.

Bottom line: I advise full workup in a patient with hot flashes, because the differential diagnosis is very extensive.
hot flashes, menopause, estrogen deficiency. progesterone deficiency, hyperthyroidism, cortisol, chills, hormones, hormone replacement therapy

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This entry was posted on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am and is filed under Hormones, Menopause, Do you know, Problem - Solution, Antiaging, General health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.