For a long time now I am always freezing cold. It can be 85 degrees outside,but I have on a damn light sweater, can drink hot tea,while wrapped up in a blanket trying to get warm. It is irritating. It seems to be certain times of the day also. If I already feeling chilled or cold, and open the fridge door , I shake with cold. What the devil is up with that.I asked the heart doctors PA about it, and she had no answer,other than maybe go see the vein doctor? I thought at first just another ole person disease now not so sure. Normally by 7 pm I will be warm. Do not say hormones, surely I have none left by now
@Hedi Mitchell and @Betty Jones maybe it is hormones but not the ones you are thinking of. Have you had your thyroid checked recently? Sometimes low thyroid activity can cause you to feel cold, and low thyroid is also a normal consequence of menopause. I have found that women are happiest with a TSH level around 1.0 mIU/L. That is at the lower end of most reference ranges, but it is just my personal experience. I have not seen the same issue with men as they age. Some people respond well to synthetic thyroxine (T4) while others respond better to a balanced formulation such as a mix of synthetic T3/T4 or Armour Thyroid. Perhaps the other ladies on the forum can comment on their own experiences.
I think it has been awhile since having that checked . But several things point to thyroid issue in the past, but mine comes back clear. However I have been told over the years mine is a bit enlarged, but nothing else has ever been said.
In was just pointing out that although your thyroid tests may be "normal", it could perhaps be made a bit better. It could not be relevant, but it was a thought. Providers generally go by the "normal" range provided, but normal isn't normal for everyone. The reference ranges are just guidance.
My mother and both sisters had under-active thyroids when they hit a certain age. I don't recall the symptoms, but I know all 3 had their thyroids irradiated and went on Synthroid. I don't remember you mentioning any meds you're on whose side effects might be causing this, Heidi. How's your bouncing going? That might help to keep your metabolic rate up.
Is it common (or recommended) for someone to try low doses of thyroid meds for a period of time to see if that helps? Is there a risk in going on/then off of them?
I asked her about my meds because there is a possibility they are part of problem, but of course she said no. I must confess John have not been on trampoline since August of last year,aside from an occasional hop on for about 3 minutes. No more room, so i another room, plus am trying to sell because of the move and changes we plan on making.
We're not gonna do Trampoline Confessions today. I hope you get this figured out. You got a lot on your plate right now.
I don't think most providers will put people on meds just to see if they feel better, although some might, especially if they have been with you for a long time and they have a history on you. For example, pre-menopause you have a TSH value of 1.2,but over the years your value has increased to 4.0, still within most reference ranges but a significant change, particularly if there are symptoms such as always being cold, fatigue, or weight gain. If someone walks in cold to a new doctor and asks for meds, it would be unusually for the provider to comply. Endocrinology is a very complex area, probably the most complex area in medicine, as when one thing changes, it often changes other things and every patient is different. My genius doctor friend from years ago said that endocrinology requires more brain power than any other field in medicine, and oncology is second based on the fact that every person is different and responds differently, whereas cardiology (according to him) is pretty standard, and, once someone has been diagnosed, the treatment is standardized.
I do seem to have "temperature regulation issues" lately. Seems that I'm either cold or too warm, so I spin the thermostat like Wheel of Fortune. When I get too cold I go take a hot bath or shower, and of course then I'm too hot.
You are a special case, @Beth Gallagher, after all the things your body has been through in the past year or so.
I lifted this by doing a search: Increased cold sensitivity is a normal part of aging, but it can also be a sign of a health problem. Older adults have a thinner layer of fat under the skin, making them more susceptible to cold. Conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease and kidney disease can restrict blood flow and lower body temperature.