Freezing hands immediately after eating

[Yppah]

I have Hashimoto’s and before taking levo did not have the cold hands and feet problem. Now I do. I get it in general, especially when trying to sleep. But have recently noticed that my hands get freezing immediately after eating, doesn’t matter what - carbs, fats, protein indifferent. Is this a hypo thing, or indicative of anything else?

[shaws Administrator]

I think you need a new blood test and I think you also follow this method:

1. The earliest possible blood draw.

2. Fasting

3. Don't take thyroid hormones before, but afterwards.

We need thyroid hormones to enable our bodies to function normally i.e. keep heat in our body etc.

everydayhealth.com/thyroid-...

[Yppah in reply to shaws]

Thank you, shaws . I got a recent test and am just very confused as the results looked improved but I feel worse. I am wondering about iron. Confusing results: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add latest results and ranges

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet....if not recommend getting coeliac blood test done BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto’s

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 .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

Is this how you do your tests?

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Yppah in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon , I did a recent test, results a bit confusing though wondering re iron: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[tattybogle]

Interesting ... i had an experience like that for several years i think on and off, but not any more. Immediately after a meal , i'd suddenly feel extremely cold and have to retreat under a duvet for an hour until i felt OK again.

I never found a cause , and don't know why it doesn't happen now.

I just used to explain it to myself that all my blood has gone to my stomach to digest my food, but that's not based on science , it's just what it felt like.

The only thing that's different now to when it was happening is that for some as yet unexplained reason my latest TSH level was 1.9 , when my previous normal for many years was 0.05 ish. ( Levo same dose and fT4 top of /over range for both TSH levels) I really don't know if that has any bearing on why the cold after eating thing has stopped. But i'm glad it has .. it used to put me off eating a proper lunch , as i found it didn't happen if i just 'grazed' throughout the day.

[Yppah in reply to tattybogle]

Thanks, tattybogle . I’m glad you don’t have it now!I see where you are coming from with the description.

My TSH has gone very low to 0.06 actually, FT4 slightly over and FT3 68% through range.

I’ve been testing out whether is happens after snacks or meals and what types of foods and seems to make no difference. Got a little heater for my desk and I hold my hands right beside it and they eventually feel like they are burning on the outside but still freezing inside to the bones. I look forward to it stopping as I don’t know how I’d manage if I wasn’t working from home - sometimes duvet is only option as you say.

[tattybogle in reply to Yppah]

yes, 'the duvet cure' it's the only way to go . Fortunately i've been self employed for years, so i could usually fit an hours 'duvet +crap TV siesta' into my work . but if i was enjoying doing something i wanted to get finished, i'd have to skip eating properly . I just took to the habit of eating one bite of something on the way past the fridge .. God knows how i'd manage if i had to have a 'proper job' again.... but i'm pretty much unemployable anyway lol Hope it magically goes away for you too.

[Yppah in reply to tattybogle]

I just realised I never get it when drinking, not even a high calorie hazelnut latte, so maybe I’ll try a protein shake for lunch... yum! When I get dragged kicking and screaming back to the office I think I will miss the duvet & crap TV siesta. 🤣

[tattybogle in reply to Yppah]

just take the peppa pig duvet cover off and replace it with a smart pinstriped grey one for the office.... should be fine

[nellie237]

My hands and feet get cold immediately I sit still, so does the back of my neck. Whether this is a hypo thing, or circulatory problem I don't know. At home I wear fingerless gloves and wool socks. I have to have a hot water bottle for my feet in bed, otherwise I wouldn't get any sleep.

I wish that I could be more helpful.

[Yppah in reply to nellie237]

Thanks nellie237 . That must be hard to keep warm.Same here with fingerless gloves and hand warmers, and a little heater to wave my hands in front of, but nothing quite hits the spot.

Not tried hot water bottle for feet, just ski socks. Will give it a go, ta!

[nellie237 in reply to Yppah]

Yeah, you're right - nothing does quite hit the spot. Roll on summer.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’ve recently had very cold hands & feet & thought it may be the start of Reynauds. I teach & with windows of classrooms being wide open in current climate, I’m wearing gloves & 2 pairs of socks. I’m now wondering if this could be related to adding T3 for past 4 months. Hopefully when my thyroid levels are optimal the coldness might subside. Best wishes to you Yppah.

[Yppah in reply to Buddy195]

That must be a nightmare for you. It’s interesting you suspect T3 as mine is highest now that it has been (admittedly while feeling unwell, will never know what it was before all this thyroid stuff reared it’s head). Hope it goes quickly for you - will follow your updates!

[Serendipitious]

Digestion is an energy intensive process so it could be that you might be experiencing a drop in energy. Digestion being prioritised over keeping your hands and feet warm?

[Yppah in reply to Serendipitious]

Would be nice if my metabolism would speed up!

[Serendipitious in reply to Yppah]

I think that’s what a lot of people here wish for!

[Christabel]

I think I've had cold hands and feet all my life, or for as long as I can remember, even on a hot day or after exercising. Hands and feet get warm at about 9.00 pm. Wish I could be more helpful.

[Yppah in reply to Christabel]

Sorry you suffer this. 9pm is a useful time to be fully functional 🤣

[Christabel in reply to Yppah]

[jacobite33]

Hello Yppah just read your post.I have just started getting cold feet since a change of levo brand and put a post up the other day.It’s mostly my toes and especially by big toes and still trying to work out why myself.It’s not a nice feeling is it

[Yppah in reply to jacobite33]

So many things to try and keep track of. Sorry you suffer this. It would be nice if something as easy as brand change sorted it, cold fingers crossed for you! Mine hasn’t changed, so am stumped.

[jacobite33 in reply to Yppah]

Wishing I was double jointed now and could tuck them under my oxters to warm up.Hey Yppah same to you and hope you get yours resolved soon.Take care and stay safe!

[RaggedyA in reply to jacobite33]

You have to tuck them under the opposite oxter!! I have same problem with cold hands and feet and was looking on here for some idea why. I wear fingerless mittens indoors too. Need the full bloods done again but can’t face stabbing 3 of my fingers again... said the wimp!

[Yppah in reply to RaggedyA]

I do hope we are all now attempting this move and at least getting a good giggle!I’ve never even attempted the finger given how hard it is for a trained nurse to get blood out any of my veins. (And I am a wimp too 🤫)