What causes cold hands and feet?

The body narrows small blood vessels in the skin to conserve heat, so fingers and toes can feel cool in air conditioning or during stress. Smoking, nicotine and some medicines can also narrow blood vessels. If one hand or foot is consistently colder, or the skin changes colour, a circulation problem deserves attention.

Anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia may present with cold hands and feet alongside tiredness, dizziness, breathlessness or pale skin. Hypothyroidism can slow body processes and may present with cold sensitivity, low energy, dry skin or constipation. These symptoms overlap, so the pattern alone cannot identify the cause.

Warm your hands and feet gradually with dry layers, movement and a comfortable room temperature. Avoid direct high heat on numb skin. Note triggers, colour changes, pain, numbness, swelling and whether symptoms affect both sides.

A clinician may check your pulses, skin and nerves and arrange blood tests for anaemia or thyroid function. Do not start iron without advice, because the cause of low iron should be established first. Read [Cold Hands and Feet](/symptoms/cold-hands-and-feet/), [Anaemia](/conditions/anaemia/) and [Iron Deficiency Anaemia](/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/).

Arrange an appointment if the symptom is new, persistent, worsening or linked with fatigue, breathlessness, numbness, sores or pain when walking. Seek urgent care if a hand or foot suddenly becomes cold, pale or blue, severely painful, weak or difficult to move. [Peripheral Arterial Disease](/conditions/peripheral-arterial-disease/) describes one circulation-related cause.

Ask whether you need a blood count, iron studies, thyroid testing or a circulation assessment. Tell the clinician about smoking, medicines, heavy menstrual bleeding, dietary changes, diabetes and any difference between the left and right side.