Cold feet and hands?!? Also sometimes numbness ... - Thyroid UK

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Cold feet and hands?!? Also sometimes numbness and tingling...

Mitomie profile image
Mitomie
ā€¢27 Replies

I've been having problems with cold feet and hands on and off (more on then off) for awhile. Then with my body not handling cold at all any more makes it hard. When I take a shower my feet hurt as if I was coming in from the snow to hot air. Then randomly (mainly at work) one hand out both get so cold out of no where then starts to tingle and hurt. Was just wondering if others had this problem and what you do it help with it. Mind you I'm not on meds and can't get them quite yet.

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Mitomie profile image
Mitomie
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27 Replies
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Hello Mitomie,

I am sorry to hear you are feeling unwell.

Low thyroid hormones has far retching effects and can account for many strange symptoms.

If you were prescribed Levothyroxine 2 years ago .. you should still be taking it.

Thyroid hormone replacement is for life and shouldn't be stopped when your health insurance runs out.

Do you have recent thyroid hormone blood test results you can post complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

Also nutrient & iron results as low thyroid hormone will encourage deficiencies as your body struggles to cope.

Flower

Natalie286 profile image
Natalie286

Hi mitomime

Sorry to hear ur having such a rough time šŸ’šŸ’šŸ’šŸ’šŸ’

I used to have this with both hands and feet. I'm not too sure which it was (but I don't get it so bad now) since I've been on medication for iron deficiency and also thyroid tabs (armour) but I also have raynaulds. In fact just the other day I came in from walking the dog and my one toe was completely numb (it used to be my whole foot) dunces the temperatures dropped again.

Maybe get your doc to check for raynaulds? God bless you.

Mitomie profile image
Mitomieā€¢ in reply toNatalie286

Thank you that will be added to my list for when I finally get to go to the doc I'm happy to hear meds are working for you and hope it goes away completely.

punkyb profile image
punkyb

I have symptoms in my feet and the best way I have had to describe it is like they are on dry ice. A burning freezing sensation. The slightest cold weather and my feet get it first. The thing is, I have had times that is does not bother me. I call it a neuropathy, but I do not realize for sure what it is. I do take meds for hypothyroid disease and have been checked . My levels are good on medication. If you get more information I would love to hear about it and I hope I have helped a little!

ā€¢ in reply topunkyb

Punkyb,

Your description of a burning freezing sensation is perfect.

I have this & sometimes just feelings of numbness in hands & feet which I too call neuropathy.

It can't be good can it..? I keep hoping mine will improve as thyroid meds and nutrient levels improve..

F

punkyb profile image
punkybā€¢ in reply to

I think we ought to try the vitamins. Lately I have been learning I am becoming deficient in D and calcium so it may not hurt to try some B like Marz is suggesting.. We can try it at no cost right? maybe the iron will help too, like someone suggested, as long as it doesn't constipate.

ā€¢ in reply topunkyb

punkyb

Well.... you have to pay for vitamins & nutrients unless you can get your GP to prescribe.

If you read my posts you will see I am probably the most "vitamin'd up" member here... lol...

There is no doubt that general health & even thyroid meds continue to improve so I do wholeheartedly recommend. ..

However.. still have this neuropathy thing going on.! !

Flower

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

punkyb profile image
punkybā€¢ in reply to

Well I hope we can et better..

Marz profile image
Marzā€¢ in reply topunkyb

punkyb - how is your T3 level ?

punkyb profile image
punkybā€¢ in reply toMarz

My T3 level gas always been very good. :)

Marz profile image
Marzā€¢ in reply topunkyb

Sorry - but how good is good ? Do you have the result with the range ? It needs to be in the upper quarter of the range.... If your Doc has told you it is good - then you need to see the result. You are entitled to have copies of all your results legally.

I am just interested as Low T3 can be responsible for so much suffering and not often tested or acknowledged by the medical profession.... hence my question.

punkyb profile image
punkybā€¢ in reply toMarz

I can access the results, but the T 3 has never been out of range. I have copied the results for others on here and they agree. hold on a second let me see if I can get them for you too.... here ya go;

T4 FREE0.8 - 1.5 ng/dL1.1

T358 - 159 ng/dL135

Marz profile image
Marz

Could it be LOW B12 ? - so many symptoms overlap with Thyroid....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Hi - I've had this too for years in both hands and feet, even ankles, knees and now mouth. I've had endless tests for everything from b12 to diabetes - full blood counts and inflammatory markers, a lumbar puncture and all autoantibodies checked and rechecked. I am Hashimoto's hypothyroid and take 100mcg Levothyroixine - been on it for about 12 years now.

I have been diagnosed and treated for RA, Raynauds, Sjogren's, idiopathic small fiber neuropathy but now it gets called parasthesia. None the wiser for any of this and I can't tolerate drugs for neuropathy or RA at all so currently just tapering off four months of steroids and then that's it. With me I think it's part of my connective tissue disease but what disease process causes it and which disease I have is currently under review because my joints are okay presently.

Mitomie profile image
Mitomieā€¢ in reply to

That's allot, I'm sorry that so much can happen to one person. And then most things are misunderstood and allot is unknown. I really hope you can get to the point where you need as little meds as posable.

Some physical things help. Thick linings in shoes at all times, upped in cold weather, never wearing heels, being careful not to let the feel get cold, wearing snow boots out the moment winter comes, a wide range of mountaineering-standard socks.....I am sure stretching exercises would help but I rarely remember to do them.

Underfloor heating would be nice!

Mitomie profile image
Mitomieā€¢ in reply to

I'm made to stretch every night at work... So I got one thing down.... Sadly soaks make me feel colder just add gloves do for some of reason

ā€¢ in reply toMitomie

In the winter I wear ski gloves with thermal linings - worth buying, normal gloves don't do much for me. They really help me.

MariLiz profile image
MariLiz

Do get your B12 levels checked, as this can be low when accompanying a thyroid problem. Low B12 is known to cause numbness and tingling. Particularly in feet and hands. I also felt very cold all the time until I began B12 injections .

Good luck with getting things sorted. MariLiz

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus

Def Low T4 - could be high antibodies which in turn is Hashimoto's. Have you been tested for ab's??

Mitomie profile image
Mitomieā€¢ in reply tomarvalrus

I really don't think so but I could ask...

realturbo profile image
realturbo

I have read that ginko biloba may help in getting blood flow to the smaller blood vessels, which could help in keeping fingers and toes warmer. Might be worth looking into...

Mitomie profile image
Mitomieā€¢ in reply torealturbo

Thank you I will

MrsRaven profile image
MrsRaven

Got the same symptoms, plus stiff swollen fingers when i wake up and numbness in my feet. Even though i am chock full of vits and minerals it hasnt got any better :(

Mitomie profile image
Mitomie

On top of this I was wondering... Does anyone else have a problem with their hands and feet getting pruny and itchy and painful after being in water for only a min to two min? It use to take me about five before I got pruny in water.

ā€¢ in reply toMitomie

Cold hands and feet are a common hypoT symptom, but I think you might consider drawing your specific symptoms to your doctor's attention just in case you are developing secondary Reynauld's.

raynauds.org/support/forums...

Ctb567 profile image
Ctb567

Check your b12 levels, anything <300 could indicate b12 deficiency and cause these symptoms however the NHS will say that you have to be <180 to be deficient so they may tell you that your b12 is normal even though it isn't.

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