cold feet and hands

[Gigi1965]

Hi there, this might be a stupid question, but since I’ve been taking HRT I’ve been getting really frozen, cold 🥶 feet and hands, and can’t seem to get them to warm up, also when I’m relaxing or in bed a night, my legs won’t relax, I have to keep moving them, and it’s keeping me awake . Anyone else suffer something similar? xx

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

🙂 I cope with icy feet in bed, and occasional restless legs…but I’m way past Menopause and haven’t taken HRT.

🤔 I googled ‘icy feet HRT’….and it’s surprising how many links pop up…one of them could give helpful advice

[Gigi1965 in reply to wobblybee]

Hi Wobblybee, thanks for replying back, it’s driving me insane 😂 will try looking for those links you’re talking about. Thanks again x

[AKatieD]

That was my first symptom of hypothyroidism. It may not be that for you. But when I started HRT I needed to take more thyroid medicine. So it could be that you were slightly low on thyroid hormones and the HRT has affected it. Maybe not, but worth checking.

[TaraJR]

Are you on any thyroid meds eg levothyroxine? If so, you're likely to need an increase when going on HRT.

If you're not on thyroid meds, I'd suggest you ask to have full thyroid tests done, plus Vit D, Vit B12, folate and ferritin. Those often go low together, and give you symptoms. And your age bracket sees many more people (almost all women) have thyroid conditions develop. If your iron is low you ca feel very cold too.

Do you have any other symptoms? Eg are you very tired?

[Gigi1965 in reply to TaraJR]

Thanks TaraJR, no I’ve not got a thyroid problem. I’ve to go back to the doctor after 3 months, I called them and they said if it doesn’t settle after that time then we can talk about what to do next. Thanks for your advice and I will mention to my doctor about VitD and B12 if my symptoms persist x

[TaraJR in reply to Gigi1965]

Have you actually had thyroid tests done?

[Gigi1965 in reply to TaraJR]

No , not recently, about a year ago I did and it was fine. My husband takes the same medication as you as he also has a thyroid problem. I’m going for a smear test on the 20th so I think I’ll mention to the nurse to get bloods taken x

[TaraJR in reply to Gigi1965]

Ask for FULL thyroid tests. Don't get fobbed off with just a TSH test. T4, T3, TSH and thyroid antibodies.

ALWAYS request a copy of your results with their reference ranges. Or download them if you have online access. You're legally entitled to them, and they are free. Drs don't get much training in thyroid conditions, they often know very little about it sadly. Drs often say results are 'normal' or 'in range'. They may be in range but you need them to be optimal, not just somewhere in range.

When you have your results of thyroid and vits and minerals, post them on Health Unlocked Thyroid UK forum, They are BRILLIANT there! That forum has saved many of us!

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Gigi1965 in reply to TaraJR]

Thanks for your advice, it’s very much appreciated 😊 will let you know how I get on x

[TaraJR in reply to Gigi1965]

You're more than welcome. I help to run my local FB thyroid group and a big national one now, to campaign for better diagnosis and treatment. It can be woeful!

Get your husband's results and ranges too, and post on HU Thyroid UK. They are the very best there!

[earthnymph]

Hiya, I didn’t take HRT, I had power surges for around 7 years, 10-15 per day for most of that. This year it has changed, first alternating hot or cold maybe 3 or 4 times per day, now I rarely have a power surge but I get bitterly cold. I think it’s just how hormonal changes are. You’ve replaced some hormones so perhaps that is why you’re cold rather than hot? Maybe a lesser dose of the hormones could level it out? Do you have a specialist menopause nurse you can talk it through with?

[SarahJane1471]

try magnesium glycinate an hour before bed for restless legs

[Gigi1965 in reply to SarahJane1471]

Thanks for the advice, I’ll give that ago xx

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Gigi1965]

it helped me. I’ve had RLS for many years. Also try a Vit B complex. That also helped.

[Gigi1965]

No I don’t have a specialist menopause nurse , it’s just the doctor I see and it’s always someone different. Most of my doctors have retired and it’s younger ones that’s taken over. It’s a nightmare and I feel as they think I’m making things up 😬, I just keep getting told to wait 3 months

[Cassie_7]

I always wear loose fitting bed socks and sometimes thermal socks in bed during the winter months. They really help!

[Gigi1965]

Thanks Cassie_7, I’ve give that a try . Thanks for your advice 😃 x

[Cassie_7 in reply to Gigi1965]

You are welcome! Worth a try x