Cold hands and feet are a familiar struggle for many, especially as the chill of winter descends. But what causes this icy discomfort?

In the UK, the Met Office has announced an amber warning for severe weather, predicting torrential rain, flooding, and intense winds. These conditions will likely make the air feel even colder than the thermometer indicates, exacerbating the issue of cold extremities.

While the drop in temperature naturally affects our hands and feet, if the coldness is a constant battle, it might be a sign of a deeper health issue. Persistent coldness in the extremities could flag poor circulation or other underlying health concerns.

Dr. Chris, known as ‘DrChrisPharmD’ on social media, is a Doctor of Pharmacy who frequently shares his expertise with an audience of 337,200 followers on TikTok. His advice often sheds light on common health problems and their solutions.

“Are you always cold? Poor circulation could be the culprit,” he advises in a recent post. “There’s a simple trick to help.” Dr. Chris explains, “When your hands and feet feel cold, it’s your body’s way of signaling that your circulation might need attention, often linked to a specific mineral deficiency.”

“Ever notice how your hands and feet feel cold? That’s just your body telling you something’s off with your circulation, and it usually traces back to one mineral,” Dr Chris said.

He went on to explain that iron carries oxygen into every part of your body through your bloodstream. So, when you’re low on iron, everything cools down, especially to your hands and feet.

While you can easily start to consume more iron-heavy foods, such as spinach, many don’t realise that the body can struggle to absorb this. Instead, Dr Chris said liver is one food that contains more easily absorbable iron, called Heme iron, that supports blood circulation. You can also take a iron supplement with this form of iron.

When cold hands and feet can be sign of serious condition

However, sometimes, having cold hands and feet can be a sign of something more serious than poor blood circulation. According to the British Heart Foundation, there are several other condition that can cause the same symptoms.

During cold weather your blood vessels constrict (vasoconstriction), which causes your blood pressure and heart rate to rise. This means your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body, and often prioritises important organs like the heart and brain, which can leave your hands and feet feeling chilly.

However, other conditions like high or low blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, or even heart failure could also be the reason for your cold hands and feet, as could certain medications such as beta blockers.

Conditions not related to the heart such as thyroid problems, diabetes, anaemia and even anxiety or stress can also cause cold hands and feet. Raynaud’s disease is another common disorder that makes your fingers – and often toes and ears – turn white, or even blue, and go numb in the cold.

If you’re worried about your cold hands and feet, even when you’re in a warm temperature, and your skin looks pale, blue or blotchy, or you feel tingling, numbness or pain, or see ulcers on your legs, the British Heart Foundation urges you to speak to your GP for help.