If some one ask me, why am I feeling cold always? ,My first guess would be a circulatory malady called Raynaud’s disease or phenomena. It’s the disease if it stands alone, the phenomena if part of another affliction. Second I would think about hypothyroidism.
Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause several health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease. Most people diagnosed with thyroid cancer or problems are 40 or older.
Are your hands and feet perpetually chilly most of the time? Do you often feel colder than other people you live or work with?
Well, everyone has a slightly different adaptation to cold weather. Some people naturally tend to have cold hands and feet and feel uncomfortable while others are comfortable in the same environment.
Simply adding extra layers of clothing may relieve the feeling of being cold. But, if cool feet and hands are bothering you always or notice other symptoms such as brittle hair, dry skin, or so on, you may have some underlying medical condition such as thyroid disease.
Get your thyroid function checked after every 6 month if you are at the age of 40;
Cold hands and feet are signs of cold intolerance or sensitivity, a well-known symptom of under-active thyroid disease. Talk to your health care professional about the possible cause and get a simple routine blood test to confirm thyroid disease diagnosis. You can also consult an online Endocrinologist to discuss your concern and get better clarity or second opinion. Remember, if the TSH level is higher than usual, you may have under-active thyroid disease.
How an under-active thyroid causes cold hands and feet?
The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland just above the collar bone, is a thermostat of the body. It releases hormones to regulate internal body temperature and metabolism. Lack of thyroid hormones slows down the metabolism and decreases energy and heat, which otherwise, the cells can produce. This reduces the body’s temperature and impairs the body’s ability to adapt to colder environments.
Those affected by thyroid abnormality may need a longer time to adjust to colder environments. This is why they feel cold, even in a warm climate.
Hypothyroidism affects women more frequently than men and people over the age of 60 but can begin.
Take charge of your cold intolerance
You may need to take an appropriate dosage of synthetic thyroid hormone as prescribed by the doctor. The medication will help to restore your hormones to normal levels and eventually reverse cold sensitivity. Treatment is usually for a lifetime, but dosages may be adjusted from time to time. No surgery, drugs, or complementary medicine can boost the thyroid gland function once it slows down.
Other possible causes for cold feet and hands
Feeling cold is not enough to conclude that you have thyroid disease. Several different reasons of cold hands and feet are beyond thyroid hormone levels, such as:
Anemia: It leads to slow metabolism and decreases heat production. You can get anemic from vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid or iron deficiency.
Low body weight: You do not have enough body fat to keep you warm.
Blood vessel disorders: These disorders, such as Raynaud’s disease, decreases the flow of blood to the extremities, and you feel cold.
Poor blood circulation: If you have low blood pressure, blood will not reach the peripheral extremities to keep temperature up.
Diabetes: It can lead to nerve damage or neuropathy that makes you feel cold, especially in your feet.
Hashimoto disease: An autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland leading to cold hand and feet.
Frostbite: Skin that has been previously injured, such as by frostbite, may remain sensitive to cold even after the injury has healed.
Cold intolerance is one of the symptoms we often brush off or do not take seriously, but it can be very distressful. Remember that timely treatment can cure your cold sensitivity.
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy
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