Temperature sensitivity

Temperature sensitivity, or intolerance to the heat or cold, occurs commonly as a symptom in ME/CFS.

Prevalence

 * 53.9% - 58.7% of the 2073 patients in a Belgian study of 2001 reported symptom exacerbation in extremes of temperature.
 * Katrina Berne reports a prevalence of 75-80% for heat/cold intolerance.

Symptom recognition

 * Temperature intolerance is featured in the International Consensus Criteria
 * In the London criteria, sensitivity to both heat and cold is mentioned under the criteria of periods of impaired circulation compatible with autonomic dysfunction.

Potential causes

 * Hyperthyroidism (heat intolerance)
 * Hypothyroidism (cold intolerance)