I'm freezing! Is it my thyroid?

[hpgold50]

I am over 70, and just lately, have "cold flashes" (I guess the opposite of hot flashes", especially at night, starting in my shoulders and moving into my arms, leaving me with a tingling sensation in my arms. I get so cold that I have to put on more blankets. Noticed in the forums that people mentioned the thyroid. What kind of tests should I ask the doctor to run for these symptoms? Thanks.

[goolarra]

Typically, hypERthyroid makes you intolerant to heat (very hot all the time), and hypOthyroid makes you intolerant to cold.  Most hypos spend their lives freezing.

[ladied]

Usually the presence of thyroid problems will make you very hot..hotter than most people around you. I think you should get checked out though.

[goolarra]

Have you had a cardiac workup?

Usually, if you are hypothyroid, the intolerance to cold manifests itself as a "general", full-body coldness.  If it becomes localized, it's most often in the feet and hands (but not running down the arms into the hands).

I usually associate any discomfort "running down" the arms with cardiac issues.

I agree with Tamra about the thyroid tests, but would also get the heart checked out.

[TamraW]

TSH
FT3
FT4
Anti-TPO
TGab
also a Thyroid ultrasound if you are experiencing any pain or fullness in the neck.

Post your numbers when you get them. Many endos will blame your symptoms on your age. My mom is 75 and suffers from Hashimoto's Hypothryoidism. Her doc blames everything on her age and not on her hypothryoidism, which is very frustrating.

:) Tamra