Cold ears extremities

[Robann]

I have cold ears most of the time even in warm house, cold fingers, and other extremities, I think it's raynauds, though gp on phone said he didn't think so, but no one examined me, or referred me , I asked for venous referral, due to circulation, but they haven't done it yet, I'm type 1 diabetic , underactive thyroid, hypertension , my t3 is always low reading, but they said I don't need increase on meds, so I don't know what else to do? It's a long shot but any ideas any one getting desperate now.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Robann,

I have Raynauds Phenomenon as well as migraine and vasospastic angina. A hat trick of vasomotion disorders.

Before I was prescribed calcium channel blockers my Raynauds was very troublesome.

My fingers in particular would go white, blue and pink accompanied by pain.

There is a test for Raynauds Phenomenon, a nailfold microscopy, or a capillaroscopy. This is usually performed by a Rheumatologist.

Some medications such as beta blockers can cause secondary Raynauds Phenomenon.

Common triggers are the cold, stress and anxiety.

I wear silver thread gloves under my outer gloves in the winter, thermal socks with lambs wool liners in my shoes and boots. I also wear lots of thermal layers as the cold is a major trigger for my angina too.

I suggest you ask your GP for a referral to a Rheumatologist.

There is a support group for people living with Raynauds disease which you may find helpful.

sruk.co.uk/

[Villagelife in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milk fairy Im interested to know how helpful you find the silver thread gloves, I have Raynauds in my fingers but its not too bad, however I get it really bad in my toes and the sole of my feet and have chilblains every year. I've been tempted to buy the silver thread gloves and socks but haven't bitten the bullet yet. Do they help, have you tried the socks? Thank you.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Villagelife]

Hello,

I find the gloves do help me.

My toes aren't too badly affected, I wear 2 pairs of socks and use fleece insoles in my boots.

The pain as the blood supply returns to your fingers and toes isn't great.

My Raynauds has definitely improved since being prescribed diltazem.

I hope you are enjoying the warm weather 🌞

[Villagelife in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi thank you for replying, I might buy some silver thread gloves, I'll probably give the silver thread socks a try as well. I do wear 2 pairs of socks etc but it doesn't help. You might think I'm strange lol but although I get really cold feet & hands along with raynauds I actually prefer colder weather to warmer weather as I get overheated easily except for extremities which stay cold🤷‍♀️

[MountainGoat52]

I suffer from Raynauds and being on a beta blocker has definitely made it worse, even though I only take 1.25mg of Bisoprolol. My feet and toes are permanently cold and my hands cool, with the classic white fingers occurring when cold triggers them.... even something simple like holding a pot of yoghurt. I suffer less with my ears, though a wooly hat is appreciated in winter.

As far as treatment, I've been told it's hereditary and I have to live with it. My GP at the time I raised the issue wasn't even interested in recording it on my health record. My brother suffers like me and so do my children so the hereditary part is absolutely right and none of us have been successful in getting any treatment. I guess GPs consider there are more important things that require their attention.

[EMBoy]

Feeling cold is a classic symptom of hypothyroidism. I put up with feeling cold for years until I finally got treatment for my Hashimoto's, but am OK now. The fact that your T3 is always low, suggests that there is something not quite right about your treatment. Unfortunately, most GPs in the UK will only look at your TSH level, and if this is OK, then they don't consider changing medication. This doesn't take into account the fact that some people do not convert T4 to T3 very well, despite having normal TSH. Do have a look at the Thyroid UK forum in HealthUnlocked, and you will find posts from many people who have normal TSH, but are still showing hypothyroid symptoms.

[Mumfordandsons]

Hi, check your medication side effects. I take Bisoprolol which can give you cold fingers, toes, nose etc. most amusing when they are like ice on a hot day 😂 I hope you get sorted/diagnosed ok