Feeling the cold more than most

[LauRa Lu]

I know as diabetics we stand more chance of getting circulation problems. But do we generally feel the cold more than non-diabetics?

My hands and feet seem to constantly be cold even when i'm wrapped up really well, especially my feet, they don't seem to feel warm no matter how many socks I try to squeeze on. Any one else get this problem? might it be a sign that somethings wrong?

[valc3]

I have the same problem, my feet especially. I put on 2 pairs of socks when the temperature drops. Have you checked with your dr to make sure their isn't any other problems?

[EdnBama]

I've noticed that when my glucose levels drop to the 70s, but sometimes even into the 80s, my hands and feet get cold.

[jen_slc]

Yup, my feet and hands are always cold during winter. I'm sitting here at work with a heater at my feet and blanket over me and when I go home at night I have to wear several pairs of socks and pants and sweaters, even with the heat blasting. I sometimes wear my skiing long underwear under my normal clothes when it gets really cold too. And even then my feet never get comfortably warm. I'm a pretty active person, I have no circulation problems, no neuropathy and I'm in good control so I'm pretty sure I don't have any problems. It might just be you and your genes - my sister is the same way but not diabetic. But maybe mention it to your doc next time you're in. :dontknow:

[koblenz]

I have the same problem with my feet, not my hands. I never got cold feet prior to diagnosis.

I asked my endo at last checkup and he said it is a fairly common side effect. He checked my feet, circulation and so on and said I don't have any problems. He asked if it happened during the summer and I said no. He said as long as it doesn't cause any pain or discomfort it is just one more thing some of us diabetics have to live with.

[travis]

My dr said the same thing. This is the first winter I have ever felt truly cold, like can't get warm no matter what kind of cold, and I've lived in some hellish places. It's worse in the feet. Now, I go from bed to socks in slippers, and I wear insulated hiking boots to work. The days I wear dress shoes to work are cold days. He said it's just one of those things, adapt and keep warm.

[DeusXM]

That's wierd - as far as I'm aware, there's a theory that says the reason T1 exists more in certain populations is because it used to act as a survival mechanism in the Ice Age. People with higher blood sugar levels were less likely to freeze than those with normal levels, and whilst obviously their condition would eventually kill them, it gave them time to reproduce more than their less sugary companions.

I'm not entirely sure that having cold extremities is really anything to do with diabetes. It happens to a lot of people, diabetic or not. I always used to have really cold hands when I was younger, and this was prior to me developing diabetes. My mother has, to put it midly, the cold, frigid hands of Satan, and she's not diabetic either.

To be honest with you, I'd say it's nothing to worry about, but if you're really that concerned then have a word with your doctor. Body temperature problems are sometimes a sign of thyroid disorders, which appear to be more common in individuals with diabetes.

[sydneya]

:- :- I know as diabetics we stand more chance of getting circulation problems. But do we generally feel the cold more than non-diabetics?

My hands and feet seem to constantly be cold even when i'm wrapped up really well, especially my feet, they don't seem to feel warm no matter how many socks I try to squeeze on. Any one else get this problem? might it be a sign that somethings wrong?

Yes, yes, yes!! My feet have the tingling cold all the time. It's been very strange, because this is the first year I have felt that and I have had diabetes for 18 years. They have a little numbness, too. I think it is part of neuropathy and circulation problems though. :eviltongu I almost want menopause back again to feel the heat. Can't figure out what is worse.

[LauRa Lu]

I'm not entirely sure that having cold extremities is really anything to do with diabetes. It happens to a lot of people, diabetic or not. I always used to have really cold hands when I was younger, and this was prior to me developing diabetes. My mother has, to put it midly, the cold, frigid hands of Satan, and she's not diabetic either.



I did think it's probably not related to diabetes, but I have only noticed it since i've had diabetes so I thought i'd ask if anyone else thinks it could be linked. When I was younger I always had oddly hot feet... no matter what time of year, so i'm quite the opposite now. At the moment I touch my mums hands and she feels like a heater litterally, but we're both in the same heated room.

I had my feet check just about 5 weeks ago, so I think they're ok... just cold!

[EdnBama]

For me, I've found it's not even worth the bother of layering clothes or blankets since these things act only as insulation and will keep in only whatever heat my body is producing - which obviously isn't enough to begin with to make my hands or feet feel warm.

If the cold feeling bothers me, I run warm water over my hands or take a warm or hot bath. Or I indulge with a snack to boost my bg.

[Penny]

Although I have been diabetic for a long time, I just started having trouble with my feet in the last year or so. The doctor says my circulation is good, but it is just because I am getting older. Seems like all of us diabetics, young or old seem to have the same problem, though. Other friends who are non diabetic do not seem to suffer with "cold feet". If I shower before I dress, and get my feet very hot, then put warm socks on, they stay warm until I sit around too much.

[lgvincent]

My hands have been cold for MANY years. I always thought it was because I was so cold-blooded.

[lgvincent]

Let me see . . . what's that saying . . . cold hands, cold heart? At least, that's the way it is for me.

[jen_slc]

If the cold feeling bothers me, I run warm water over my hands or take a warm or hot bath.Egads! No way, it's too cold to strip down and jump into a bath! :bath: I think I'd seriously scald my feet seeing as how they can't feel anything. Right now I'm not feeling the tips of my toes - they've gone yellow, and my nails are white. I look like a corpse from the shins down. :embarasse Ugh, bloody noses, bloody knuckles, numb feet.... why on earth did I move back to UT????

[duck]

I love the cold. I do have an aversion to blowing cold wind, but the cold is wonderful.

[jeggeman31]

I love the cold. I do have an aversion to blowing cold wind, but the cold is wonderful.

So do I. However the last few years my shoes that work provide me did not keep my feet warm. I thought it was due to my diabetes. Well I went out and spent about $150.00 on a good pair of work boots I can wear with my uniform at work, and my feet are very warm now. So maybe spend a little more on a very good pair of shoes may help.

[valc3]

So do I. However the last few years my shoes that work provide me did not keep my feet warm. I thought it was due to my diabetes. Well I went out and spent about $150.00 on a good pair of work boots I can wear with my uniform at work, and my feet are very warm now. So maybe spend a little more on a very good pair of shoes may help.


What brand of boot did you buy? I've bought several pairs of good boots and haven't had much success.

[christie]

i don't know about other diabetics but for myself being t1 and hypotyroid i am almost always cold,hands,feet,and everywhere.

[jeggeman31]

What brand of boot did you buy? I've bought several pairs of good boots and haven't had much success.

They are Weinbrenner's Below is the link to their website. I got the Thorogood boots

http://www.weinbrennerusa.com/

[KickStart101]

Well, I suppose there are many reasons for chronic coldness. I
didn't start feeling this decreased tolerance to cold until I was about
32. At that point I had had Diabetes for 27 yrs. and Rheumatoid A. for
9 yrs. My circulation was fine at those times. So for me it had to
have been the Hypothyroidism although I wasn't dxd. 'til about 4 yrs. later
since I hadn't mentioned any of the symptoms to my Doc. :o

Mom has always been frozen :D and she has Hyperthyroidism(although
she is supposed to be warm or hot. NOT). She is not a diabetic. My friend
also is always cold and I think she has Hyper also. Plus they are both
skinny. :). She also is not a Diabetic.

[EdnBama]

Egads! No way, it's too cold to strip down and jump into a bath! :bath: I think I'd seriously scald my feet seeing as how they can't feel anything. Right now I'm not feeling the tips of my toes - they've gone yellow, and my nails are white. I look like a corpse from the shins down. :embarasse Ugh, bloody noses, bloody knuckles, numb feet.... why on earth did I move back to UT????

Sounds like an issue of "30 Days of Night (http://www.steveniles.com/thirtydays/)" in the works! :eek:

If you are cold anyway, and the layering doesn't help, what's a few minutes of being nekkid (as we say down south) before you jump into a luxurious hot bath? :thumbsup:

[mg_2204]

Only when I'm low --for me anything below 5.5 is low-- I might be a bit cold and feel weak, tired. Otherwise I don't seem to ever get cold. People over here were saying it was 'bloody freezing' lately but cold for me is -20C.

[SugaryOne]

I'm only a teenager and I've had T1 for 10 years, I still get cold and tingling feet. And the funny thing is our weather is getting warmer lately.

After reading the responses from people though, I would say it's normal and nothing to worry about unless it's causing you pain.