<p>Thanks, everyone. I grew up in Illinois, so I do know layering. It’s my arms that get cold; coats tend to have less insulation in the arms (I know, so you can move.) I can cope with football (we’ll get out early in the playoffs) but it’s the day to day that is the bigger problem. I walk to and from the car in an underground parking garage…it gets maybe 55 degrees at the coldest…and inside in the tunnel I am shivering in myLand’s End down “warm to 0 degrees” down coat. I can’t really use hand warmers to walk to and from my car which is mosly indoors.</p>
<p>I’ll click on all the links y’all have sent and I bet we’ll have a winner.</p>
<p>If you know you are hypothyroid and are excessively cold in a barely cool environment, this should tell you something. Warmer clothing is not the answer. It is very likely your thyroid therapy is insufficient. Hypothyroidism is often undertreated. If your usual doc does not seem to understand thyroid therapy, then schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist.</p>
<p>I see the endocrinologist every six months. I even went in for additional blood work when I felt too cold recently and she said I was “low normal” and that she wanted to keep me where I was. </p>
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<p>Probably a great idea, but I’m really trying to seem like* less *of a freak than I already am…can you just see me getting ready to walk out the parking garage with a co-worker? It’s 45 degrees and I’m saying, “wait until I put these leg warmers on my arms and let me get my hand warmers, too…” Honestly, if my Spanish was better, I’d retire much further south!</p>
<p>I noticed while shopping this weekend in the gloves/hats/scarves department some type of extremely long glove w/out fingers thing. Probably something meant for younger people to wear to look cool (rather than to be warm) but wonder if this is something you could put on before heading outside. Looks like it would at least cover up to near your elbow. </p>
<p>These are two bad examples, and not what I saw, but you get the drift…</p>
<p>missypie “I can’t really use hand warmers to walk to and from my car which is mosly indoors.”–
sure you could. Just slip them in your gloves, no one would know :)</p>
<p>Thanks, SouthJerseyChessMom, I just ordered the book! I strongly suspect that I have other autoimmune things going on…strong family history, I have chronic dry eyes that nothing seems to help…I tell the eye doctor that it is probably autoimmune but he doesn’t care, just wants to treat the symptoms.</p>
<p>Wow, that was fast Missypie. I remember reading a book, sometime ago, and can’t remember the title. The main point of the book, was how often “normal” test results miss thyroid disease.<br>
Perhaps it is time to consult with another dr. Your quality of life is truly impacted!</p>
<p>A few years ago I “internet diagnosed” my thyroid issues. I happened to have an appointment at my gyn, so I asked them to test me and the tests came back normal. I concluded that my hives must be allergies, so I went to the allergist who diagnosed my thyroid issues. She ordered a broader panel, then sent me to the endocrinoligist. Fast forward to this year…I’m at the gyn’s office again, seeing the nurse pratictioner. She said that she has all the symptoms of hypothyroid, but that she’s been tested (same test as their office ran on me) and it came back normal. I told her to go see my endocrinologist!</p>
<p>I have to stay on the absurdly low end or I feel lousy. A Dr. that is not on board with this approach could see blood work at a much higher level and think it’s in the normal range…on your way. I take something for T4 (synthroid), and T3 (cytomel). This dual approach had made a huge difference in the last year.</p>
<p>I have not read the book mentioned (plan to look at it, sounds interesting!). I hope it helps. I also hope you can find a Dr. who will be more willing to treat your symptoms as opposed to a blood test.</p>
<p>I know I’m late to this but the warmest coat I’ve ever owned is shearling. Plus it feels really warm because there is not cool-to-the-touch lining like padded coats have. You have the fur right up against you. Not cheap, though. </p>
<p>And my mother would say pay special attention to your neck and feet.</p>
<p>ICEBREAKERS wool undergarments are toasty warm. I get hives from COLD (fortunately live in HI, so not often that much of an issue). My SIL recommended Icebreakers from her trip to the artic. I got some on sale at LLBean outlet & LOVE them. I bought a nice top that I can wear as an outer layer or put other things on top of it. I have also just got the new Columbia Sportswear jacket that has the radiant reflective liner, which I find a useful addition. I wore the combo in Vancouver when it was a bit nippy & was nice & toasty!</p>
<p>I just got my D a nice pea coat that’s made of wool at Costco for $50 yesterday. It’s slightly large on her, so she can wear it over a sweater or other warm clothing to stay toasty!</p>
<p>I agree that layering is key to staying warm.</p>