Feeling cold, so very cold...

[Brandy]

I'm about a year and a half out from surgery, but since the surgery, I am always feeling cold. I've seen other people make comments about this and so I know it's common, but I thought it would go away when I got my food quantity up. But it hasn't. I usually wear 2 full layers of clothing and keep under a blanket or something.

I don't know if it's gotten worse lately, or if it's just fall temperatures but I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to fight it.

My annual blood work was all good. Things that I know can be a cause for feeling cold are Zinc, A, Thyroid, and iron. My T4 is one tiny point away from being in the normal range, but otherwise all my numbers are in middle or higher of their range.

I walk a few times a week and I'm starting lifting weights at a gym tomorrow.

All ideas appreciated! Thanks

 

[bearmom]

I'll be 8 years out in about 2 months, and not at my lowest weight, and still never warm. Never.

It sounds like you are taking the right steps to do what you can. I've had thyroud and zinc issues, and they do in fact make it worse. Exercise helps, but I try not to do it when outside when it's too cold, so it's good if you have a gym.

I bought a new dryer last year, and it has been a real lemon, but one issue with it is it doesn't get things "quite" dry. It ends with just a tiny bit of dampness in the clothes. I can run things a second time if I remember and time allows, but that's not always the case. I can say that starting the day with a smidgen of dampness is a guarantee of freezing untill the last minute of the day. I simply can't overcome it without sitting in a hot bath or something, lol.

Oh yah, iron is the other thing to make sure it's in a good range.

 

[newanatomy]

How is your thyroid?

 

[DSRIGGS]

Are you anemic? When my hematocrit and hemoglobin was really low I was colder. I am still mildly anemic but not as cold as I was then, but my zinc is up compared to then as well.

 

[southernlady]

I'm almost 5 years out and my hands and feet STAY cold...so cold they hurt. The rest of me has eased some but I still keep a sweater handy for even in the summer.

 

[Jo777]

I found silk underwear/longjohns helped a lot! Lightweight enough to not make my jeans tight but kept me warmer. I've gotten to the point where I'm no longer cold all year round, now it's just from early fall through late spring. I never liked warm weather, now if the temp drops below 70, I get chilly..

 

[Brandy]

Before my surgery I used to take thyroid pills, but the doctor doesn't think one point out of range is enough to start them up again. I think I disagree with him, especially with my problems with cold. Perhaps I will when I run out of other things to try I will go back to my doctor about this.

But my A, Zinc and Iron levels were all good last August. I do notice how ever that when I eat liver I tend to be a little warmer. So maybe you don't have to be full on anemic to have problems in this area? I will add another iron pill and see if that helps.

@bearmom - Please buy a new dryer!!! Or at least price a gently used dryer if money is tight now. Life is too short to not to fix that kind of misery. Ok, maybe because I'm sitting here already cold but I just wanted to bring you some warmed blankets and cocoa! Take care of yourself!

 

[Bagaof4]

At over 3 years out, I am always cold. Even walking to the car on a summer day when it's been sitting in the parking lot at a mall, I get in and bask in the warmth while everyone screams at me to turn on the A/C! I seek out sunbeams, and I love to open the hot oven when I bake and hold my face over the open door. My labs are good, thyroid is fine, I just think I have no insulation left. I wear lots of layers and rarely take any off. I know I've added at least ten pounds of muscle mass from weight training, but that hasn't seemed to help with the cold, so I just go on about my business and seek out warmth as I can. Most of my family just thinks I'm weird. I am.

 

[chevtow]

I bought lots of warm clothes. Fleece lined jeans are heavenly.

 

[Txkat]

I'm always either too hot (I'm 49) or too cold. I just assume it's pre-menopause and the loss of 80 or so lbs of insulation. I dress in layers and always carry a scarf. It's amazing how much better you feel if your neck is warm.

 

[aaa]

I seem to be the only one sitting here in a t-shirt reading this. Not sure why, but I didn't get the cold thing after my DS.

Sorry to hear it's been so rough on you; however, it's probably a good idea regarding the iron. Oh, and when you say your levels are good - are they where they were preop (or near)?

 

[DSRIGGS]

I'm always either too hot (I'm 49) or too cold. I just assume it's pre-menopause and the loss of 80 or so lbs of insulation. I dress in layers and always carry a scarf. It's amazing how much better you feel if your neck is warm.

My wife just turned the big 50 had to have a hysto a few years back. Prior to that time my fat ass always wanted the thermostat cranked down and she wanted it turned up. That has been turned 180 degrees and now I give her a hard time because she will turn the thermostat down to like 68 and my mantra has always been, winter or summer keep that sum beetch on 70 degrees. We go back and forth on this topic all the time because I am always cold (better than last year but still always cold) and she is always an inferno. She is also that one who complains about being hot when she has on a damn jacket when it is 80 degrees outside!!! (I would say, WOMEN!!!!! but I am in the minority here so that wouldn't be wise )

 

[DSRIGGS]

I bought lots of warm clothes. Fleece lined jeans are heavenly.

I love under armor type shirts and I have an Illini turtle neck long sleeve shirt that I absolutely love wearing.

 

[Txkat]

I love under armor type shirts and I have an Illini turtle neck long sleeve shirt that I absolutely love wearing.

Ah, well there's your real problem..Illini. #GOCATS.

 

[chevtow]

I love under armor type shirts and I have an Illini turtle neck long sleeve shirt that I absolutely love wearing.

Yes I wear lots of UA. Wool blend socks are good too