Cold Stimulation Test
Reviewed
A cold stimulation test measures how quickly your finger temperature returns to normal after placing your hands in ice water. It is used to help confirm a diagnosis of Raynaud phenomenon, a condition where blood vessels narrow excessively in response to cold or stress. The test is typically performed after a physical exam and symptom review. If your finger temperature takes 20 minutes or more to recover, it suggests you have Raynaud phenomenon. Depending on your age and symptom severity, further testing may be needed to determine if it is primary or secondary Raynaud phenomenon.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for a cold stimulation test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- The test is used to help confirm a diagnosis of Raynaud phenomenon after a physical exam and review of symptoms and medical history.
- A recovery time of 20 minutes or more probably means you have Raynaud phenomenon, but the result is not a definitive diagnosis by itself.
- If you have severe symptoms and/or are age 35 or older, you may have secondary Raynaud phenomenon, which requires further testing to identify the underlying cause (e.g., nailfold capillaroscopy, blood tests for immune system disorders).
- The test does not distinguish between primary and secondary Raynaud phenomenon on its own.
What to do next
If your results suggest Raynaud phenomenon, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes such as dressing warmly, avoiding cold, stress, smoking, and caffeine. For more severe cases, medications to help open blood vessels or a procedure to destroy nerves that trigger vessel narrowing may be considered. Talk to your provider about your specific results and follow-up plan.