Cold hands/feet/nose

[Prancy]

Hi guys

I was just wondering if any of my fellow Type 1 Diabetics have suffered/suffer from cold hands/feet/nose? Over the last 4 months or so (during the winter in the UK) I've noticed that my hands are cold; occasionally my feet and nose get cold but it's mainly my hands.

I had a blood test back in January when I was admitted to hospital and everything came out absolutely fine. I'm not lacking iron or anything like that.

I've also noticed that I've become quite tired recently; I do have university so it could be that. I wouldn't say the tiredness affects my life but it's definitely a pain.

Are unsteady blood sugars or diabetes in general known to cause cold hands/feet/nose and tiredness?

I was put on the Freestyle Libre 2 back in January after leaving hospital as the diabetic nurse was disappointed to know that I'd been waiting nearly 3 years for one and I can honestly say my Diabetes management has never been better. I'm just annoyed that I had to wait so long for one but hey, what can you do.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I just saw your post and wanted to just add something similar that I experienced. It could be unrelated.

A little while ago, I started having cold limbs, as well as running a slightly low temperature…never below 95. My BG numbers were ok. (They are better now.) I was suffering with dental issue (fractured root in an existing crown.)and it was very painful. It was also very stressful. I wasn’t eating much and think I was way too low on my calories. A few weeks later, I discovered that I had a B12 deficiency. I immediately went on injections of B12 and I had the dental issue fixed. I’m not sure if they contributed to the coldness, but it’s gone. Pernicious anemia can cause the deficiency. I’m not sure what caused mine.

I no longer have the cold limbs or low temp. Oh, I also have hypothyroidism and take medication that keeps it at a good level. My levels had been checked in Dec. and it was good. Before my hypothyroid diagnosis years ago, I was very cold and could not get warm, even if room was hot. And, I was so exhausted I could barely get off the couch.

I hope you can find some answers.

 

[SimonP78]

It's interesting to read that deficiencies can cause cold limbs/appendages, my story is also quite possibly unrelated except that it involves cold fingers and feet

This winter I've started suffering from cold fingers. I never had very warm hands or feet, but when cycling in the cold this (calendar) year I could get back without being able to feel my feet (which I simply put down to needing better shoes, which did help). With the fingers though, I'd even need to wear gloves in the car when dropping the kids to school when it was cold (around 0C) in the morning, and when cycling I'd often not be able to feel my first 2 digits for most of the ride. Interestingly after about an hour and a half I'd start to feel them again if I'd got the glove/body layering right (warm body and forearms), which I put down to being fully warmed up to the extent that my core was able to share some warmth with the extremities.

I've never had this happen in previous years cycling through the winter (though every year is different, I wear different clothing, ride different distances, so it's hard to compare. I've never had to wear gloves in the car though), though certainly my hands and feet would be cold and potentially a bit sore, I'd never loose feeling in them.

My fingers would also look white and waxy, which I read is a symptom of Reynaud's.

Long story, apologies. I was scheduled for a yearly diabetic blood letting at the local GP so asked (via nurse practitioner) whether there was anything that could be tested for to work out what might be wrong with the fingers (and feet) at the same time, but the answer was that there's nothing to be done, it's part of life and just just make sure you keep your hands warm.

I thought I might get a second opinion when I have my diabetic clinic appointment later this year.

I note that with the warmer weather in the last few months the symptoms have completely gone away, I await the return of the cold this autumn with some trepidation and some expensive (layers of) gloves and cycling shoes!

 

[Hopeful34]

My fingers would also look white and waxy, which I read is a symptom of Reynaud's

I'd definitely get a second opinion from the hospital diabetic clinic. Nifedipine is a commonly used drug for Reynaud's, and has definitely helped me.

 

[Zilsniggy]

Hi guys

I was just wondering if any of my fellow Type 1 Diabetics have suffered/suffer from cold hands/feet/nose? Over the last 4 months or so (during the winter in the UK) I've noticed that my hands are cold; occasionally my feet and nose get cold but it's mainly my hands.

I had a blood test back in January when I was admitted to hospital and everything came out absolutely fine. I'm not lacking iron or anything like that.

I've also noticed that I've become quite tired recently; I do have university so it could be that. I wouldn't say the tiredness affects my life but it's definitely a pain.

Are unsteady blood sugars or diabetes in general known to cause cold hands/feet/nose and tiredness?

I was put on the Freestyle Libre 2 back in January after leaving hospital as the diabetic nurse was disappointed to know that I'd been waiting nearly 3 years for one and I can honestly say my Diabetes management has never been better. I'm just annoyed that I had to wait so long for one but hey, what can you do.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Have you had any checks for Reynaud’s syndrome? It’s a condition which causes reduced blood supply to fingers, toes, nose, tips of ears, in cold weather in particular. It’s often accompanied by those extremities becoming white due to the lack of blood supply…….and probably diabetic clinic may not be thinking necessarily of that as a cause.