Cold Hands and Feet: Symptoms or Side Effects?
October 1, 2009
Cold hands and feet are often symptoms of conditions or diseases such as low thyroid hormone, but could also be side effects associated with certain medications. Below is a list of diseases and conditions associated with symptoms like cold hands and feet, as well as a list of medications related to similar side effects.
We are not medical professionals, and these may not be comprehensive lists. Please contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms or side effects, or similar health issues.
Cold Hands and Feet Are Symptoms Of
Low Thyroid: Hypothyroidism is a condition that slows down your metabolism and your whole body. As a result low thyroid can cause weight gain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, constipation, dry skin, depression, hair loss, memory problems, and immune system problems.
Poor Circulation: Heart disease can cause poor circulation, and in some cases poor circulation can lead to heart disease. Cold hands and feet, as well as tingling or pain in the hands and feet, foot and leg cramps, tiredness in the hands and feet, varicose veins, and skin that turns blue or purple due to lack of oxygen are all signs of poor circulation.
Raynaud’s Syndrome: Raynaud’s syndrome causes cold and numb hands and feet and sometimes affects the ears and tips of the nose as well. During an attack the arteries leading to the fingers and toes spasm restricting blood flow. Raynaud’s syndrome can occur on its own or it can be caused by other medical conditions and certain medications.
Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency causes a lack of red blood cells (anemia). Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include cold hands and feet, fatigue, pale skin, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, unusual cravings, and irregular heartbeat. Causes include poor diet, blood loss, inability to absorb iron, and pregnancy. Some medications can inhibit your body’s ability to absorb iron.
Cold Hands and Feet Are Side Effects Associated With
Atenolol: Atenolol is a beta blocker used to treat high blood pressure. It lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, and in the process can cause side effects such as cold hands and feet, dizziness, and fatigue. It can also have other side effects including diarrhea, nausea, leg pain, depression, and shortness of breath.
Metoprolol: Metoprolol, sold as Toprol and Lopressor, is also a beta blocker. It is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and to treat or prevent heart attack. Metoprolol can have side effects including cold hands and feet, unusual dreams, insomnia, drowsiness, diarrhea, and vision problems.
Digitek: Digitek (digoxin) is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Digitek can cause slow heart rate and low blood pressure leading to cold hands and feet. Other side effects of Digitek can include irregular heart beat, blurred vision, yellowed vision, hallucinations, confusion, and bloody stools.
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5 Responses to “Cold Hands and Feet: Symptoms or Side Effects?”
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i have this problem of cold hand and feet along with hair loss problem and weight gain and i have go through the tyroid test also and found that my thyroid level lies between normal range but it is slightly in lower than normal of normal … so can you tell me that hypothyroid can also happen in the patients with slightly low but lies in normal range and if yes then should i consult to dr. or can resolve by exercise and yoga….
thanks and regards
sandeep
sandeep,please see youyr dr.when my children were babies i was diagniosed with low thyroid and all the symptoms you discribe.My twins are now 20 and for the sake of taking one tablet a day i am back to normal health.If i hadnt gone to my dr.i would not have been abl;e to lead a normal life.Exercise and yoga are good too,but you may need to replace the thyroid you havent got.I was a dancing teacher at the time so i do know how exercise is important to you.
i dont think i need to take my meds for this because i feel perfectly fine with out it and i have none of these side affects or what ever so please someone tell me that i do not need to take it.
I have recently had a breast MRI–It has showed a cyst/tumor–not yet diagnosed. I started taking metoprolol 4 months ago–I have had breast cancer and had bilateral masectomies and bilat diep flap-7yrs ago–Could the metoprolol cause increased blood flow to the mamary arteries which feed the flaps, and therefore have the cyst or tumor increase drastically , so that it is picked up on the MRI, as it was not there last year. Thank-you for your thoughts Patsy
Can you please explain to me what actually is happening when my hands are cold (many times throughout the day) since I have been taking Metoprolol? What is occurring in my body that is of conern with cold hands as a side effect?
Thank you