Why always cold?

My husband is always complaining about being cold.  He wants to crank up the heat even though he is wearing slippers and a sweatshirt...he wants extra blankets on the bed...a blanket across his lap when we are watching tv.  I see on the list of liver disease symptoms that always feeling cold is due to the liver disease.  Why does that happen? 

Still learning and trying to understand all this.

Thanks,

Emma

I was told up front that I would feel cold when others didn't. That was when I was diagnosed with Hep C. After my transplant, my temperature has been just under 98. When asked, two of my nurses said that most liver transplants had below average temperatures and no one knows why.

hep93 said...

Emma, I don't have an answer for that one.  I, too, get cold; however, I have Raynaud's disease, which is a circulatory disorder that makes the fingers, in particular, go white and blue with cold and then red as they warm up.

Hugs,

Connie

Raynuad's is a condition linked to  cryoglobulinemia which is a extrahepatic manifestation of Hep C. I also suffer from Raynaud's disease but have not been tested for cryoglobulemia as yet.  If you google Hep C and Cyroglobulemia together you can find heaps of info on this on the net.

 

It’s very common for those with liver disease to be chilled.  This is usually attributed to loss of muscle mass.  Other factors can contribute such as thyroid abnormalities, low sugar, and of course fever (often associated with Jaundice). 

 

We live in Florida and Harvey would have the thermostat set on 82 degrees!  He would sit with a throw blanket across his legs.    

 

Penny

 

Connie,

 

On average, individuals with liver disease will have a body core temperature of +/- 97.6 degrees.  Consider a healthy liver as the body’s furnace.  Everything we take into our bodies is converted by the liver into chemicals on a molecular level to serve our cells—energy, vitamin stores, etc.  When this process is compromised, the flames in the furnace are reduced.  Turn down the fire and you will feel cold.  Reduce the energy production and you will be left with fatigue.  These sensations will get worse as the liver disease gets worse, i.e. cirrhosis, ESLD.

 

I don’t want to over simplify this, but anytime the body’s digestive system is chronically compromised (whether the cause is associated with ulcers, liver disease, pancreatitis, bowel disease, etc) the body’s nutritional needs will compromised. 

 

Nutrition = Energy = Warmth

_________________________

 

I certainly wasn’t suggesting that people with liver disease have thyroid issues.  Anyone can have thyroid abnormalities or disorders and this will “contribute” to the feeling of coldness. 

 

Individuals will experience liver disease symptoms at varying degrees based on their genetic makeup, health, physical condition, complications and disease progression.  It’s no wonder the doctors aren’t discussing it.  There are too many variables.

 

The liver disease is not a “catch-all”.  Many conditions share the same symptoms.  When you have multiple conditions the symptoms will be amplified.  An individual with chronic liver disease must always remain vigilant for other unrelated conditions that could be present or that may develop.  Addressing other conditions may improve the “related” symptoms. 

 

This is where I was coming from.  I’ve always said that liver disease affects individuals in different ways.  Each case is unique.  I just wanted to clarify this.

 

Penny

The feeling cold is common for people with most serious illness! With liver issues it is the change of body mass and fat. Doug stayed a pretty husky looking man yet he was having the changes in muscle mass so he was always cold. I own more different blankets than any couple needed, I have a bureau that is converted to an entertaintment center and 2 drawers were just for blankets then there was a blanket on every piece of furniture, also a blanket in the car with an extra jacket! Electric blankets are TABOO for anyone with compromised health. Even a safe portable heater has to be used with caution as skin can become irrated or slightly burned if to close or to high! We found that light weight thermals worked the best for arounfd the house they even have nice thermal bathrobes so you feel less bulked out. Sometimes after he was given blood he would feel a little warmer for a day or so.
Sue

yes, we are learning to have slipper socks, sweatshirts on and to have extra quilts on the couch and DH's side of the bed...

i am hoping to get him to drink hot tea...

is green tea a good choice for a liver patient? should it be decaffinated?

emma

Emma, I switched to green tea from coffee several years ago and am doing fine.  My hepatologist is okay with it, too.  There's not much caffeine in it, so no need to get decaf.  I like the flavored tea, like citrus or acai berry and raspberry.

Hugs,

Connie

Charlie92

I was told never to use electric blankets. I'm not sure why. Dr. had a real problem when I said I using electric blankets. Wish I could give the reason why. Hopefully someone else will know. I was just like your wife always turning the thermostat down.I went from one extreme to the other.

Thank you Connie. I appreciate the info. How do you know so much? Your post have helped me a lot.

Imp, I've learned a lot about liver disease just from being here.  You guys are always teaching me, too.  In addition, I picked up a lot of basic medical information over my 15 years as a medical transcriptionist...and had to take a course in terminology and body systems before that.  And then there's my personal experience with hep C and liver cancer.

Hugs,

Connie