Chronic cold and upper respiratory issue.

[bmcgonig]

I’d like to crowdsource some medical advice. I know we’re not supposed to get medical advice from the “internets”, but believe me I’ve tried many doctors etc and they just shrug.

Problem is at least twofold :

1. I’m very sensitive to cold. Much more than anyone around me ever. Haven’t always been that way but I think it started when I was about 45 and started to think that the air conditioning in the offices I worked were set too low. Took me quite a while to realize that it was me. This seems to be gradually getting worse with time. I’m now 66.

This wouldn’t be a problem really if only the cold was the issue. Just put more clothes on! And stay warm. However many times getting cold is followed by the following.

Every couple of months I get a mild sore throat that’s accompanied by mild upper respiratory discomfort. That causes total lack of energy and inability to get on with things like exercising. Each time it happens it can last a week. So basically I’m “down” for a week every month or two.

I just talked to my doc about this and he figured that like many people I have a weak spot that gets affected when I am run down. He says that for some people it’s their chest and for others it could be their back etc. Very possible as it seems to happen more when I’m tired. Happened me on my last trip when I was jet lagged, and again after we had spent two very busy weeks traveling around Italy.

I’ve talked to many docs about the cold issue over the years and done all types of blood tests. Thyroid etc normal. BP 110/70. Did vitamin tests and they were normal. Nothing out of the ordinary at all it seems. This all started long before Covid. At one stage I went to a functional doc who told me to take thyroid medicine as being cold was a symptom of hypothyroidism. I did try that and it warmed me up a little but my heart didn’t like it.

So I’m looking for ways to troubleshoot it. That’s why I’m asking here. Anyone have ideas on how they would approach this? Any particular specialist to see? Any type of doctor ? Any ideas on how to not be “run down”? I do take vitamin D. Anyone with a similar experience?

Thanks!

Edit: no cough, no wet stuff, just an uncomfortable sensation in the throat upper chest area, and probably the tiredness is because the upper respiratory area is affected?

 

[braumeister]

Oversensitivity to cold is common in older people, and frequently attributed to poor circulation. For example:
Symptoms of Poor Circulation
What is poor circulation?
Symptoms and Causes of Poor Circulation

If you haven't had a thorough complete physical in a while, I would suggest doing that, preferably with a doctor who does that routinely. I would consider the cost to be well worth it. You could ask around for references, as it sounds like your regular doc doesn't want to explore the issue. Since there are a number of possible causes, it may take some detective work to find out the best approach. Best of luck!

 

[harllee]

Have you been to a rheumatologist? There are some autoimmune diseases (like Sjorgens) that can make you feel cold. A rheumatologist can do blood tests to determine if you have an autoimmune disease.

 

[RAE]

I'm not a doctor, but Raynaud's disease is one possible reason for the symptoms you describe. Apparently it affects 5-10% of the population. Did any of your doctors look into this possibility? There is a test that can be done to diagnose it (capillaroscopy). Sounds like it can be managed, at least to some extent: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176713

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

Thyroid comes to mind with the cold and the neck sensation thing. I had that. Tsh levels were fine when they tested many times. Apparently mine was sputtering? And they caught it once in lab. Thyroid wayyyyy off. Endocrinologist. Thyroid ultraaound was also die in the past.

I always suspected BC im funny about shirts/scarves/necklines fitting around my neck and that's a thyroid indicator I was told.

I feel a lot better on synthroid and I noticed when I need a medycation adjustment. Endo told me want tsh between 1 and 2. Pcm is ok with much broader range but she doesn't reside in my body like I di

 

[bmcgonig]

Oversensitivity to cold is common in older people, and frequently attributed to poor circulation. For example:

Symptoms of Poor Circulation

What is poor circulation?

Symptoms and Causes of Poor Circulation



If you haven't had a thorough complete physical in a while, I would suggest doing that, preferably with a doctor who does that routinely. I would consider the cost to be well worth it. You could ask around for references, as it sounds like your regular doc doesn't want to explore the issue. Since there are a number of possible causes, it may take some detective work to find out the best approach. Best of luck!

Thanks for that. My feet are always cold.

 

[bmcgonig]

Oversensitivity to cold is common in older people, and frequently attributed to poor circulation. For example:

Symptoms of Poor Circulation

What is poor circulation?

Symptoms and Causes of Poor Circulation



If you haven't had a thorough complete physical in a while, I would suggest doing that, preferably with a doctor who does that routinely. I would consider the cost to be well worth it. You could ask around for references, as it sounds like your regular doc doesn't want to explore the issue. Since there are a number of possible causes, it may take some detective work to find out the best approach. Best of luck!

I’ve had quite a few physicals since all this stuff started a few years ago. I often wondered should I go for one of those special physicals that they have a Mayo clinic or Cleveland clinic or something.

 

[bmcgonig]

I'm not a doctor, but Raynaud's disease is one possible reason for the symptoms you describe. Apparently it affects 5-10% of the population. Did any of your doctors look into this possibility? There is a test that can be done to diagnose it (capillaroscopy). Sounds like it can be managed, at least to some extent: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176713

I looked at that before but it just didn’t seem to be me. Although my hands are very warm all the time, my feet are always very cold. So might be worth a second look.

 

[bmcgonig]

Have you been to a rheumatologist? There are some autoimmune diseases (like Sjorgens) that can make you feel cold. A rheumatologist can do blood tests to determine if you have an autoimmune disease.

No I hadn’t. Thanks.

 

[braumeister]

I’ve had quite a few physicals since all this stuff started a few years ago. I often wondered should I go for one of those special physicals that they have a Mayo clinic or Cleveland clinic or something.

IMO those are more hype (and expense) than substance. But an experienced physician who can do a comprehensive normal physical exam can be extremely valuable. They're also hard to find!

 

[bmcgonig]

IMO those are more hype (and expense) than substance. But an experienced physician who can do a comprehensive normal physical exam can be extremely valuable. They're also hard to find!

Yes. You’re probably right on both counts.

 

[bmcgonig]

I'm not a doctor, but Raynaud's disease is one possible reason for the symptoms you describe. Apparently it affects 5-10% of the population. Did any of your doctors look into this possibility? There is a test that can be done to diagnose it (capillaroscopy). Sounds like it can be managed, at least to some extent: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176713

Raynauds is also mentioned in braumeister’s article about circulation. Coincidentally I have blood tests ordered for tomorrow morning and the ANA test is one that I ordered, and that’s the first step apparently for Raynauds diagnosis. I usually order my own blood tests from Jasonhealth yearly since I like to see stuff that the doc can’t order.

 

[eytonxav]

DW suffers from being cold all the time. She is on thyroid medication and also suffers from an autoimmune condition. I think the later makes it much more difficult for Drs to understand and treat. Not sure about frequent colds, but I would think after years our natural immunity may decline and thereby making us more susceptible to germs we encounter in the normal course of living. There probably are some things that can be done to build up the immune system response with vitamin D being one of them, but just being in range on a blood test may not be OK for some people.

 

[Born2BRetd]

Sounds like possibly thyroid to me too. I've had a bad thyroid for over 30 years now and feeling run down and cold are some of my main symptoms. The thyroid is basically your engine that provides energy to the body. When the thyroid doesn't work, then other parts of the body stop working also.

Your doctor should do a full thyroid panel (not just TSH). I would try the medication again and find a level that doesn't give you what I assume were heart palpitations. Maybe you need to split the dose and take twice a day? Maybe try a different brand as there is more than one thyroid medication? Some people like Armour which has T3 and T4. Some like Synthroid (levothyroxine) which is T4 only. Some take Synthroid plus a little extra T3.

 

[bmcgonig]

Sounds like possibly thyroid to me too. I've had a bad thyroid for over 30 years now and feeling run down and cold are some of my main symptoms. The thyroid is basically your engine that provides energy to the body. When the thyroid doesn't work, then other parts of the body stop working also.

Your doctor should do a full thyroid panel (not just TSH). I would try the medication again and find a level that doesn't give you what I assume were heart palpitations. Maybe you need to split the dose and take twice a day? Maybe try a different brand as there is more than one thyroid medication? Some people like Armour which has T3 and T4. Some like Synthroid (levothyroxine) which is T4 only. Some take Synthroid plus a little extra T3.

I checked TSH, Total and Free T3 and T4. All look good. I’m reluctant to try the medication again as not only palpitations were the result but also it led to my first bout of AFib. I just had an ablation for that so once bitten, twice shy [emoji85]. I may have gotten AFib anyway, but the thyroid meds (probably too much) were definitely the trigger.

 

[bmcgonig]

DW suffers from being cold all the time. She is on thyroid medication and also suffers from an autoimmune condition. I think the later makes it much more difficult for Drs to understand and treat. Not sure about frequent colds, but I would think after years our natural immunity may decline and thereby making us more susceptible to germs we encounter in the normal course of living. There probably are some things that can be done to build up the immune system response with vitamin D being one of them, but just being in range on a blood test may not be OK for some people.

I agree it seems to point to thyroid but all my tests TSH, T3 and T4 are good.

I do take 5000iu vitamin D most days and I’m normally in the 40-50 range.

 

[bmcgonig]

Raynauds is also mentioned in braumeister’s article about circulation. Coincidentally I have blood tests ordered for tomorrow morning and the ANA test is one that I ordered, and that’s the first step apparently for Raynauds diagnosis. I usually order my own blood tests from Jasonhealth yearly since I like to see stuff that the doc can’t order.

ANA was negative. So good news on that count.

 

[Z3Dreamer]

OP, I have many of the symptoms you describe. I do not have a solution. I want the house warmer than DW wants. My hands and feet are always cold. Must wear gloves to bed. Socks all the time. Doctor said it could be Raynaud's, but my reading says it is not. I did not pursue. This all started about 7 years ago at age 58 or so.

I have always had your symptoms related to occasional sore throats. Not as severe as you. Seems to have gotten better with age. I do not believe that the cold hands and feet are related to the sore throat, at least with me.

 

[pacergal]

Ask Doc for a Deeper dive into:
--All Hormones (thyroid is also part of this)
There are further thyroid studies beyond the routine TSH, T3&4. Maybe a thyroid uptake radiology?
--Good circulatory exam, check out PAD (peripheral arterial disease)

Good luck.
I have poor circulation and chronic allergies, any illness hits my respiratory system first.

 

[tmm99]

I'm hyperthyroid and I have some of the symptoms the OP describes - low thyroid won't cause a sore throat with cold air. I do get a sore throat and tight chest when I inhale cold air. I'm okay in the summer time with my throat, but wearing a mask outdoors in the winter time got rid of my sore throat as well as tight chest.

 

[Bamaman]

Many years ago, my wife ran a medical laboratory. Every afternoon at 1:00 p.m., she would spike a 103 degree temperature and have to lay down for a couple of hours.

After going to every doctor known to man and going through test after test, she was finally referred to an infectious disease physician commonly thought of as the Doctor of Last Resort. He specialized in identifying ailments no other doctors could figure out. This was in the early day of AIDS, and he specialized in their treatment.

The doctor couldn't diagnose my wife's illness but finally just called it an mono like virus of unknown origin. We assume it was from some germ that my wife caught from a medical patient testing she'd done. Over the years, she got better to the point where she doesn't feel sick but maybe one time per year.

It was one item that allowed my wife to get Social Security Disability about 20 years ago. She's now recovering from last week's quadruple lumbar disc removal/replacement and back fusions that required 2 surgeons and a P.A. two days in surgery.

I'd say look for an infectious disease doctor or a rheumatologist to diagnose your problem.

 

[bmcgonig]

I'm hyperthyroid and I have some of the symptoms the OP describes - low thyroid won't cause a sore throat with cold air. I do get a sore throat and tight chest when I inhale cold air. I'm okay in the summer time with my throat, but wearing a mask outdoors in the winter time got rid of my sore throat as well as tight chest.

That’s interesting. I can get it sometimes after eating ice cream.

 

[bmcgonig]

Ask Doc for a Deeper dive into:
--All Hormones (thyroid is also part of this)
There are further thyroid studies beyond the routine TSH, T3&4. Maybe a thyroid uptake radiology?
--Good circulatory exam, check out PAD (peripheral arterial disease)

Good luck.
I have poor circulation and chronic allergies, any illness hits my respiratory system first.

Thanks. I’ll look into those.

 

[bmcgonig]

I'm hyperthyroid and I have some of the symptoms the OP describes - low thyroid won't cause a sore throat with cold air. I do get a sore throat and tight chest when I inhale cold air. I'm okay in the summer time with my throat, but wearing a mask outdoors in the winter time got rid of my sore throat as well as tight chest.

How long would your sore throat/chest last?

 

[tmm99]

How long would your sore throat/chest last?

Maybe half a day? Sometimes longer. Some of the time, it even feels as if I am catching a cold, but the symptoms subside gradually without getting worse, and that's how I know I'm not catching a cold.