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Feeling Frosty? Look for Underlying Hypothyroidism!

Have you ever felt cold in your hands and feet despite the normal temperature in your surroundings?
Do you always have cold hands, feet and nose? Here's the likely reason.
Do you always have cold hands, feet and nose? Here's the likely reason.(Pixabay)
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Here is the likely reason and it can be concerning as it may relate to health conditions that you’re unaware of.

Thinking what it must be?

Your palms and toes getting cold maybe due to hypothyroidism, where production of thyroid hormone is decreased.

Dr. Vishakha Shivdasani (MBBS), best selling author - Covid and Post Covid recovery, HarperCollins. Specialized in reversing lifestyle diseases like obesity, and type 2 diabetes, shared her opinion on Instagram (@doctorvee), regarding the symptoms of feeling cold.

Feeling cold? Might be a medical condition.
Doctor Vishakha Shivdasani (MBBS)

Doctor Vishakha described in the post, what it means if your palms, feet, and tip of the nose are cold. There she mentioned cold hands, feet, and chilly nose are not necessarily related to weather but can signify condition like hypothyroidism. She further gave information about hypothyroidism that when thyroid function decreases, the body tries to conserve the heat, and the metabolic rate decreases, causing symptoms like cold hands and feet. She also insisted on consulting the doctor, having a checkup, and go for blood tests, when such symptoms occur.

All about Thyroid:

Introduction to Thyroid gland

It is an endocrine gland present at the front of neck, under the voice box. The thyroid tissue consists of small lobules containing follicles that store thyroid hormones.

Functions of thyroid gland-

The thyroid gland produces three hormones as follows:

  • Triiodothyronine or T3

  • Tetraiodothyronine or T4

  • Calcitonin

T3 (Triiodothyronine)and T4 (Tetraiodothyronine) are important hormones secreted by glands.

Functions of thyroid hormone-

  1. T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4(Tetraiodothyronine) increases the basal metabolic rate.

  2. It leads to increased oxygen consumption, respiration rate, and body temperature.

  3. They stimulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and anabolism of proteins.

  4. In children, it acts as a growth hormone stimulating bone growth.

  5. It affects fertility, ovulation, and menstruation in women.

Hypothyroidism:

A disorder where the production of the thyroid gland decreases, leading to lower T3 (Triiodothyronine), T4 (Tetraiodothyronine) levels.

Underlying cause of hypothyroidism:

  • Autoimmune condition – Hashimoto disease

  • Thyroiditis

  • Treatment of hyperthyroidism

  • Iodine deficiency

Thyroid Gland (Representational image: Unsplash)
Thyroid Gland (Representational image: Unsplash)

Prevalence of hypothyroidism – In India prevalence of hypothyroidism was found to be one in ten adults. Female and old-age participants were found prevalent in the study.

Clinical symptoms –

  • Decreased metabolic rate

  • Skin dryness, alopecia

  • Cold intolerance

  • Cold and dry skin

  • Myopathy

  • Poor appetite

  • Gaining weight

  • Feeling depressed

Diagnosis:

Blood tests:

  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone

  • Thyroid antibody test

  • Free T4

  • T3 and T4 levels

Imagining tests:

  • CT scan

  • Ultrasound

  • Thyroid scan

Cold intolerance and associated disorders –

Cold intolerance is the symptom of an underlying disorder which is manifested as

Coldness in the extremities

Cold nose tip

Discomfort at normal temperature

Particularly cold fingers and toes.

Studies suggest women are more likely to experience cold intolerance due to lower metabolic rates.

Few other disorders related to cold intolerance:

  1. Hypothyroidism

  2. Anorexia

  3. Fibromyalgia

  4. Anemia

  5. Vascular system insufficiency

  6. Hypothalamus disorders

Things to do if you have cold intolerance

  • Consult a physician

  • Get your blood tests done

  • Use remedies like physical exercises

  • Layering with a warm cloth

  • Balanced diet and proper hydration

A guide to diet in case of hypothyroidism –

  • Increase uptake of food sources having Iodine, magnesium, vitamin B12, Zinc, and vitamin B3.

  • Food sources containing iodine include milk, yogurt, cheese, iodized salt etc ·        

  • Ultra-processed foods and fatty foods should be avoided.

 Reference

By Dr. Rutika Mehetre

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