Description
Labs for cold intolerance may include a complete blood count (CBC), thyroid hormone levels, and a serum TSH. These tests can help identify the cause of cold intolerance, which could be due to an endocrine disorder, anemia, or vitamin deficiency.
The following test are included:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Ferritin
Free T4
Total Iron-binding Capacity (TIBC)
TPO Antibodies
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Vitamin B12
Fasting not required.
Additional information about each test is listed below:
A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that can be used to help diagnose the underlying cause of cold intolerance, particularly if it is related to anemia, which can be identified by low red blood cell counts on the CBC analysis; essentially, if you frequently feel cold, a CBC can help check if your body is not carrying enough oxygen due to a low red blood cell count.
Cold intolerance is often linked to low ferritin levels because iron, which ferritin stores, is crucial for producing red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body; when iron levels are low (low ferritin), the body can't deliver enough oxygen to tissues, leading to a feeling of coldness, particularly in the hands and feet, which is a symptom of iron deficiency anemia.
Cold intolerance is often linked to low levels of free T4 (thyroxine) because this hormone plays a crucial role in regulating your body's metabolism, meaning when levels are low, your body struggles to produce heat effectively, making you more sensitive to cold temperatures; this is typically a sign of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone.
A total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test measures the blood's ability to attach itself to iron and transport it around the body.
Cold intolerance is often linked to elevated TPO antibodies because high levels of these antibodies indicate an autoimmune thyroid condition like Hashimoto's disease, which can lead to hypothyroidism – a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, causing symptoms like feeling cold easily due to a slowed metabolism; essentially, the body struggles to generate heat normally.
Cold intolerance is often linked to low TSH levels (thyroid stimulating hormone) because a low TSH indicates an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which disrupts the body's ability to regulate temperature by slowing down metabolism, leading to a feeling of being cold easily; essentially, the body isn't producing enough heat to maintain a normal temperature.
A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to cold intolerance because low B12 levels contribute to anemia, which means your body produces fewer red blood cells, resulting in poor blood circulation and making you feel cold, particularly in your hands and feet; essentially, your body isn't effectively transporting oxygen throughout your system due to the lack of healthy red blood cells.
