Under Active Tyroid - Sensitive to the Cold

[KCF77]

Hi I am new to this forum and don't know if I have an under active thyroid yet my blood test is next week. I wanted to know if anyone suffers from being sensitive to the cold 🥶 for the past 7 weeks anytime I touch anything cold my hands itch and it feels like they're burning. I went for Nuero testing yesterday but thankfully the nerves in my hands are fine 🙂 any support would be great thanks 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements?

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[KCF77 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi thank you for your reply. I have just started taking VB12 from Holland & Barret. I will be speaking to my GP tomorrow, do you think I am best to go private or will my GP test me for everything thyroid related, thanks x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to KCF77]

Don’t take ANY B vitamins including B12 until AFTER you have been tested by GP or test privately

Ask GP to test thyroid including thyroid antibodies and all four vitamins

Unlikely to get everything.....test any not done privately

[KCF77 in reply to SlowDragon]

OK thanks for the info, as regards to being sensitive to touching anything cold, do people experience this? X

[Catseyes235 in reply to KCF77]

I have Raynaud’s disease - where occasionally if I touch something cold irrespective of whether I am hot or cold, or air temperatures, the blood drains from my fingers. I’ve had it since a child and seems to be genetic - my father had it and daughter has it. It’s an instant response.

Don’t know if this helps? I used to get chilblains a lot but don’t as always keep hands and feet warm - double gloves, socks (never tights and mainly cotton ) etc but never ever apply direct heat like hot water bottle or putting hands or feet in hot water. Found some silk gloves which are great and can wear under normal gloves.

[KCF77 in reply to Catseyes235]

Thanks for reply that must be awful for you. I don't think I have that you never know x

[endomad]

I dont remember reading that as a symptom connected to hypothyroid. The only thing I can think of is chilblains if it feels burny and itchy or raynaud’s, google both and see if they fit . Have you injured your fingers recently?

[Partner20 in reply to endomad]

I agree with this sounding like chilblains. Raynaud's does not normally present in this way, you get numbness, loss of feeling, pain, and the distinctive colour changes from white to purple and blue. If you have Raynaud's, like me, it can happen spontaneously, for no reason, you don't have to touch anything that is cold, and touching something cold does not necessarily cause these unwelcome effects .

[endomad in reply to Partner20]

My aunt had raynaud's it was miserable for her, her fingers burned with it, the pain was awful, even resting her hands on a cushion hurt. I remember her fingers going bone white. I was just trying to give OP a direction to start off, I would hope a gp would recognize both chilblains and reynauds if looking but diagnosis seems to be a thing of the past.

[KCF77 in reply to endomad]

Hope I get to the bottom of it this week x

[KCF77 in reply to Partner20]

I thought you only got them of you have been exposed to the cold for a long time, its just so strange and cent find anyone who has had pr got the same x

[endomad in reply to KCF77]

Let us know how you get on x

[Catseyes235 in reply to KCF77]

No Raynauds is instantaneous . It could be a hot day and I’ll touch a cold surface like a tap and my fingers drain of blood!

[KCF77 in reply to Catseyes235]

That. Use be awful for you x

[Tula2017]

Yes I have had this, it is called cold urticaria and it is very rare. Mine started when I was thirteen and came on and off for years. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism around ten years ago but I think I have had thyroid problems probably most of my life and I think my body’s inability to deal with temperature changes is one of them. Luckily you have come to the right place and hopefully the tests will throw some light.

I hope it resolves soon x

[KCF77 in reply to Tula2017]

Omg at last I have found someone, thank you for replying to my post. The other day I opened something that had been in the fridge and the pain I got in my hands, the thing is though I can't explain how it feels, if you know what I mean xx

[Tula2017 in reply to KCF77]

Yes I know exactly what you are describing, mine used to come on in September with the drop in temperature after the summer and then get better through the winter as my body adjusted to the lower temperatures. Very odd.

[KCF77 in reply to Tula2017]

I don't even know what my GP will say or what blood tests to ask for x

[Tula2017]

If It was me I would have all the tests recommended by SlowDragon to see if it is thyroid related x

[sunshine48]

Hi, I have had cold urticaria for 20 years and was diagnosed with under active thyroid at that time. I also find if I touch anything cold it triggers hives, severe itching and burning, I cannot go swimming as cold water also triggers a reaction. I cannot sit on anything cold and if I go out in a cold wind, even in the summer, I get puffy and itchy around my eyes. It is a very debilitating disease and I have never found a gp who understands it. I do hope you find someone who can help you 😊

[KCF77 in reply to sunshine48]

Even my legs burn after running and I come out in little bumps little prickly heat not sure if that's a symptom x

[KCF77]

Morning everyone 😊 I have my bloodtests today, just have a question shall I not eat before I have them? The test isn't till 1pm but if its better I wait to eat i will x