I am just about to turn 50 and for the past 4 years or so I have had this continue problem with cold hands and feet. I can sit with 3 pairs of socks on at night and sometimes it is so bad I can't concentrate on anything and I will leave and go sit in the hot tub. (I have seen the neurologist about it, but he said there looked like no damage that would be causing it,) I do have a bulging disc in the lower back and arthritis, but he doesn't seem to think any of that is related. I also have talked to my Endocronoligist ( because I thought it had to do with my thyroid, My dose increased from .188mcgs to .300mcgs, and I am still not any better, so not sure it is that, he has put me through some blood tests so we will see, haven't received the results yet, checking iron as well, but he doesn't have an answer. With my hands I think it might be related to the carpal tunnel but the feet, this is just a puzzle. I do exercise and have for a long time, not one to sit around. Six days a week 1 to 2 hours a day of walking and after 11 months I gained weight, I was also consuming 1,500 calories a day, and I am almost 6 ft tall a size 15. My feet and hands were still cold.
I can't see a Chiropractor any longer because I had neck surgery a few years back, I am a true believe of what they can do for you when you suffer from any problem and he was always the first one I went to because, well he listened. Does anyone else suffer from this and if so do you have any advice.
Test came back and I have really low iron. She is working on finding out why. Since I did have a hysterectomy, she thinks I could be bleeding in the gut. So we all know what is next, stool samples, will do that for three days, and then if nothing shows she might want to have me go in for a Colonoscopy ( which aren't bad by the way if any of you are worried about getting one)to see if I have polyps .
I will start after the three days on iron and we will go from there.
Thanks for all the advice.
C. I had the same problem for years. Then in December last year I started to see a local Chiropractor. Soon after just a few visits my feet and hands are no longer cold. He said it was due to circulation and the tension my back was causing to my blood flow. I continue to go now every 2 weeks to get adjusted. I feel fantasic!
Hi C.,
I immediately thought "thyroid". I went to a women's wellness doctor, my medication hadn't been raised in years. But the women's wellness doctor did raise it, I was struggling with depression, not cold hands and feet, but it's just a thought. I asked if there criteria, the numbers for a thyroid wellness were different from most AMA doc's. She said yes. So, perhaps you could explore getting some help from a women's wellness point of view, where they may look outside of the traditional medical box.
A little about me. 43 year old mom of 5 year old fraternal twins. Working part time as an elementary school counselor.
The most likely medical condition you have is Raynaud's Syndrome/Disease/Phenomena. You can google it, or click the link below for more information. Medications are available to help, although the first approach is Non-pharmacological treatments such as:
* Avoid sudden cold exposure
* Minimize emotional stress
* Use strategies to keep the whole body warm, including dressing warmly (eg, with thermal underwear and heat conserving hat)
* Keep digits warm (eg, mittens or electric hand warmers instead of gloves).
* Use methods to help terminate an attack of RP. These include placing the hands under warm water or in a warm place (such as the axilla), or rotating arms in a whirling or windmill pattern.
* Avoid rapidly changing temperatures, such as quickly moving from a hot environment (90 degrees F) into an air-conditioned room (70 degrees F); cool breezes, or humid cold air is also recommended.
* Avoid cigarette smoking, since regular smokers are sensitized to the vasoconstrictive properties of cigarettes
* Avoid sympathomimetic drugs (such as decongestants, amphetamines, diet pills, herbs containing ephedra)
My best for your health.
M. M, MD
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/raynauds-disease/DS00433...
Hello C.! I had the same problem with the cold hands and feet, but I was a teenager and college age student, so it didn't make much sense to me. So I just lived with it. Then shortly after I got married (in my early 20's) I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism....there were other symptoms that caused me to go in....not just the cold hands and feet. So after I was regulated on thyroid medication, the cold hands and feet went away! So it may be worth getting your blood drawn and tested for thyroid issues! Good Luck!
It's more a case of bad circulation, than of anything else. Maybe do more aerobic exercise.
Ways I keep my feet warm is that I buy those hand warmers for camping and I put them in my socks. This helps to give a little more heat.
Hi C.,
I am 38, and have suffered from the same symptoms as long as I can remember! Shortly after my son was born (and after a worsening of the condition), I was finally diagnosed with Raynauds Syndrome. If you "Google" Raynauds you will find a multitude of sites with great info. There is also an organization dedicated just to Raynauds education and support at Raynauds.org. I was given a medication called Nifedipine (blood pressure medication), which dramatically helped my situation. It would make me slightly groggy in the morning, but nothing too severe. In any case, it might be worth looking in to, and talking to your doctor about. Sometimes I can't believe that I spent so many years , suffering terribly at times, before resolving the issue. I used to think it was all in my head until my Mother mentioned that my Grandmother had been diagnosed with Raynauds eons ago, and that there can be a familial/genetic link.
Good Luck,
D.
C.,
I do also suffer with this. I had a ruptured disk, but it was not related. I have found that I have an iodine shortage. Most doctors do not understand this. My husband is a chiropractor and we do all natural remedies and adjusting. We work with a company called Biotoics that sells a liquid Iodine that has really helped me. It can be a 100 outside and my hands and feet would be cold. i did also find out that I do have an underlying thyroid problem, but the cold hands and feet are still cold. Very annoying. Our office number is ###-###-####. We can test to see if you are iodine short and see if we can help you.
good luck. We are in Salem, Oregon, but we have colleges all over oregon that we could send you to as well if it is closer.
C.
This is one of the symptoms of hypothyroid. Have you had your thyroid tested?
Hi, C.! Have you tried a chiropractor? They're not just for sore backs.;) You might have some nerve blockage due to one of your vertabrae being out of whack or something.
My 12 y.o. daughter had something sort of similar happen to her. Early this school year, her right leg and foot became extremely cold to her and to the touch. It also became so painful that she couldn't walk on it. The doctor sent her for a vascular study, which came out perfect. Her bloodwork was normal, she had no broken bones, and the juvenile rheumatologist couldn't find anything. Reynaud's Syndrome was ruled out. This happened twice. After the second time, I reported it to her doctor, who recommended I take her to the chiropractor. After 2 visits, it hasn't come back at all.:)
I hope you find something that works.:)
K. J.
Hi C.
Has anyone mentioned something called Raynaud's Syndrome? It is a condition where the hands & feet get exessively cold when exposed to cold temperatures, and even sometimes strong emotions can set it off. It is due to the blood vessels constricting, and blocking off blood flow. The best thing you can do for it is just what you are doing - keep them warm. Hot packs could help as well if you don't have a hot tub handy.
P.
Hi, there. For me, it is an iodine deficiency amoung other mineral deficiencies. It is also linked to low thyroid function which I am working on healing naturally for myself. I actually got Maine Coast Sea Veggies(sea lettuce and dulce, though I know kelp is high in iodine too)from Azure Standard but I'm sure you can order straight from their website or get at a health food store. Whenever I get cold in general, I make sure I have some on my salad or eggs or something. It helps almost instantly. There is also a wonderful, natural website called www.naturalways.com. It has information on thyroid, kidney, etc. problems. There is a clinical nutritionist in Woodburn (It's a bit of a drive for you I realize that) Dr. Roger Popp who will test your nervous system for vitamin/mineral deficiencies. He's well worth seeing, though he is expensive. He'll put you on whole food vitamins and work with you on dietary changes. His wesbite is www.nutritionalsystemsclinic.com. Hope this helps!
Hi C.,
Have you been checked for diabetes? I have a friend who has the same problem and it's related to her being diabetic. I hope this isn't the problem for you, but something to think about. Good luck! K.
i was guessing low iron too. are you frequently tired? my aunt introduced me to floradix iron supplement and i am feeling so much better. when you have your iron levels tested, make sure they test for ferritin also as you can have normal iron levels but low ferritin stores.
You might do what you can by taking supplements to help your thyriod to be in it's optimal condition. It is possible that your thyriod is "normal" and still be low for who you are.
My sister and dad have the same problem. Their condition is called Raynaud's syndrome. Their hands are cold summer or winter.
I've had both hands operationed on for carpal tunnel but my hands and feet are hot more than cold. I'm 55. My recommendation is that you take cinnamin, cayenne, a small Niacin pill (or Vit B Complex w/niacin) as well as Black Cohosh Root – for menopause....at age 50 you are probably starting to go through it. Be sure and drink tons of water and eat a small meal when you take these pills, especially cayenne, as they can cause heartburn.
Also, for immediate relief, you can buy a box of hand warmers (like for camping) at Costco or Wal-Mart and keep them near-by. I always had one in my sweater pocket.
Also, you might get a check for Diabetes. People with diabetes frequently have cold, almost numb feet.
Hi C.,
Well, I wish I had a solution... it would solve the problem for me too! I have not gone to a doctor for it, but I have a feeling it's weight related.
I am 54, WAS 5'8.5 at one time, but not sure if I've shrunk any yet. I'm carrying 45+ pounds that need to go away and I'm struggling to make it happen. I was a bean pole, rail thin all my life until about 5 years after my hysterectomy at age 39. The weight started slowly, sneaking on when I wasn't looking. I have 3 grown kids (31, 29, 27) and 3 grandsons from 10 mos to 5.5yrs. They live in Vancouver, so I rarely see them - maybe once a month -2 months. Bummer!
I met the best man in the world almost 5 years ago - we've been married for 3 now and life is grand. Except for the cold feet!!! I'm hoping to see the weight thin out over the next few weeks (wwww.vital18.com is going to do the trick!)and I'll let you know if the feet warm up!
D. K in Mac
Do your fingertips ever turn purple or blue? Check out Reynaud's/Raynaud's disease and/or phenomenon. [it is spelled both ways, for some reason] A few people in my family have this disease and I'm sure I will have it too. I'm 32 and my hands are constantly freezing [my 4 year old always comments on it] and my fingers turn blue in the cold. Check out the symptoms online and see if it sounds like you.
If it isn't about the iron, I take Ginkgo bilobao which increases circulation.It is mostly recognised for use with mental diseases such as dementia. This helped me with cold hands and feet. If you are taking any blood thinners, I would check with your doctor first then, because this herb can increase bleeding. See attached web page.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030901/923.html
Hope this helps, J.
Hey C.~
My name is T. and I know what you are going through. I had the same problem, even in the summer time, it would be so hot out but my hands and feet were freezing. well, when I got pregnant with my first child I found out that I was aniemic. low iron. so my doctor put me on some iron pills which my doctor stated that was why my hands and feet where cold all of the time. well I hae been warm since. I kind of miss cold hands during the summer...haha...But I suggest making an appointment with your doctor and getting on some iron pills. but definately see your doctor to make sure the serverity of it. I hope that this helps you. God Bless!!!
