You are working in the office and the heat is on, but your hands are cold. Unless you are outside during winter with no gloves or the air conditioning is cranking, your hands shouldn’t feel frigid. If this is a frequent feeling you experience, something more serious may be the root cause. 

There are many reasons that can indicate cold hands and fingertips. It may be a neurological, endocrine, or even cardiovascular issue, but it may also be a side effect of certain medications. If you have anemia, thyroid disease, nervous system disorders, lupus, or diabetes, you are more prone to having cold hands. An arterial blockage, for example, prevents blood from reaching certain points in the body, which may also induce coldness in the hands. If ever the hands start to go numb or experience pain as a result, then medical attention may be necessary. 

Diabetes

Reports say that up to 70% of American adults with diabetes experience neuropathy, or nerve damage. This can lead to uncomfortable sensations in the hands and feet. The feeling is often described as tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation. Sometimes, however, the condition can cause a stabbing or throbbing sensation. If diabetes is the issue, it’s beneficial to make dietary changes to help control blood sugar and weight. Regular exercise and healthy eating can help slow the progression or sensation of neuropathy.

Underactive Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is characterized by an underactive thyroid, which is a common cause of cold hands. The thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, slowing several of the body’s metabolic functions. This can make a person very sensitive to cold temperatures and cause other symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and weight gain. Hypothyroidism is easy to address and you shouldn’t neglect it. In most cases, taking synthetic thyroid hormone can help reverse the symptoms so you can feel normal again. 

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

One of the telltale signs of iron-deficiency anemia is cold hands, in addition to fatigue or shortness of breath. One of iron’s primary functions is to produce hemoglobin, an oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Iron-deficiency anemia means that there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells in the body, making it difficult for the body to deliver oxygen everywhere. The last places to which blood travels are the extremities, i.e. the hands and feet. You may need to take iron supplements, but you can increase your iron intake by consuming certain foods. Click here for more information.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon, or Raynaud’s syndrome, is a condition that makes the hands feel cold. It causes blood vessels in the hands and fingers to constrict when a person feels stressed or cold, which reduces blood flow. The attacks of this condition tend to strike when a person experiences a rapid temperature shift. Most medical professionals say that it’s the most common cause of cold hands. A person can have the condition by itself, meaning it doesn’t have to occur because of another condition. Repetitive hand motions like typing or playing a musical instrument, or even using construction tools can cause this condition. To help remedy the Raynaud’s syndrome, you have to avoid the triggers that cause hands to become cold. Warm the hands whenever they do get cold and symptoms should subside within 15 minutes. 

You Take Certain Medications

It may seem like an odd reason to have cold hands, but starting a new medication can be the cause. Birth control pills, beta blockers, high blood pressure meds, migraine medications, or over-the-counter cold and allergy pills can trigger Raynaud’s syndrome. If you start new medication and experience cold hands, discuss changing the dosage or switching medications with your doctor. That may alleviate the problem, but if that’s not a viable option then do your best to warm your hands. 

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Do you experience regular fatigue or exhaustion? What about restless legs, brittle nails, or feeling cold all the time? While numerous health conditions share these symptoms, these are common symptoms of iron deficiency. If you aren’t careful and don’t regularly consume iron-rich foods, you could be at risk of becoming iron deficient. 

Why Does The Body Need Iron?

Iron is an essential mineral that the body needs to produce hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that allows them to transport oxygen throughout the body. Without sufficient oxygenation, it becomes difficult for the body’s tissues and organs to function normally. When the body doesn’t have enough iron, it’s possible to develop anemia, with iron-deficiency anemia being the most common around the world. The most common reasons people experience iron-deficiency anemia are:

• Increased iron requirements during pregnancy
• Insufficient iron intake (failing to meet daily nutritional needs)
• Blood loss through heavy periods or internal bleeding
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Common Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency

If you don’t have enough hemoglobin-carrying blood cells in the body, the heart has to work harder to transport oxygen-rich cells throughout the body. When the heart is overworked, it’s common to experience chest pain, weakness, irregular heart beats, or even heart failure. These are obviously the most serious symptoms, but it is possible to experience them if iron-deficiency is not addressed. The most common symptoms of iron deficiency are listed below. 

Fatigue

Now, you may not interpret fatigue or unusual tiredness as out of the ordinary, primarily because tiredness is par for the course of a busy life. The reason that people experience fatigue when iron levels are low is because the body lacks hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. This makes the heart to work harder than normal, making you feel tired. If you experience fatigue for over a month, consider talking to your doctor to see if you are deficient in iron or other nutrients. 

Restless Legs

Restless leg syndrome is defined by the urge to constantly move your legs while resting. For example, you sit down at the dinner table and cannot stop bouncing your legs because you feel a itchy or unpleasant sensation in the feet and legs. Roughly 25% of people who have iron-deficiency anemia experience restless leg syndrome. According to health experts, the reason people develop sharp pains or numbness in the legs (causing the restlessness) is because of neurological connection between iron levels and the nervous system. 

Heart Palpitations

When you are deficient iron or have iron deficiency anemia, the heart has to work harder to pump oxygen throughout the body. If the heart is overworked, you’ll feel abnormal heart rhythms, or that the heart is beating too fast. Failure to address this problem can result in an enlarged heart, heart murmur, or heart failure in extreme cases. 

Feeling Cold

Second to fatigue, cold hands and feet is one of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. People with iron deficiency anemia commonly have impaired circulation, meaning that there’s not enough oxygen in the body’s organs and tissues. Without proper oxygenation in the body’s major tissues, you lose sensation to experience hot and cold, according to health officials. This is especially worse for people who get cold hands and feet with proper iron levels. 

Paleness

Hemoglobin in red blood cells gives blood its signature red color. This is why people with anemia tend to appear paler. The skin starts to lose healthy color when you are deficient in iron. The paleness is most visible around the gums, nails, face, and inside the lips and lower eyelids. These are the first places a doctor will check to determine if you are iron deficient. A good parameter is to pull your lower eyelid down and see a bright red color. If it’s pink or even yellow, you may be deficient in iron. 

If you find that you experience the symptoms in this article, please talk to your health care professional or consult a nutritionist. You may have to supplement with iron in addition to consuming iron-rich foods. The quickest way to increase iron levels is to eat more iron-rich foods, which include nuts and seeds, beans, peas, dried fruit, dark leafy greens (spinach & kale), and sea vegetables. 

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