Wintertime means it’s time to bundle up and crank up the heat. But, some people feel the urge to do that year round. If you find yourself shivering and wrapping up in a blanket all the time, you might wonder: Why am I always cold? While you could just be someone who gets cold easily—those people exist!—it could also signal a medical issue.
Usually, feeling cold often isn’t a major reason to worry, but you should still bring it up with your doctor if it persists or seems to come out of nowhere, says Dr. Philip Junglas, MD, a primary care physician at the Cleveland Clinic. “After evaluation, I can usually tell most patients the cold, chilly feeling is annoying but not a marker of life-threatening concerns,” he says.
The body’s usual temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can lower with age. And a number of factors can make you feel cold even if your body temperature is normal, Dr. Junglas says.Due to differences in muscle mass, fat stores and surface area of the skin, women may on average feel colder than men. ” Women often have a lower metabolic rate, which means they burn fewer calories at rest and don’t generate as much he
Why am I always cold?
1. An underactive thyroid
Your thyroid, the small gland located in the front of your neck, helps set your body’s metabolic rate, says Dr. James Wantuck, MD, chief medical officer of virtual primary care company PlushCare. An underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism, doesn’t produce and release enough of the thyroid hormone into your bloodstream, and this slows your metabolism.
Lower body temperature, along with anemia and heart failure, are symptoms of hypothyroidism. “If [the thyroid] is dysfunctional, your cells aren’t active enough to generate heat, and you get cold,” Dr. Wantuck explains.
Hypothyroidism, which affects women more frequently than men, can be diagnosed with a blood test at your doctor’s office. Usually, the condition can be managed with medication.
Feeling cold, tired and weak are signs you may have anemia, a condition where the body lacks enough red blood cells to provide oxygen to your organs. Women are at a higher risk for anemia because of the blood lost during your period or childbirth. Iron deficiency is one of the major causes of anemia, so taking an iron supplement or eating iron-rich foods can help treat the condition.
Anemia can also accompany other health conditions like leukemia, sickle cell anemia or hemolysis, Dr. Junglas says. A health care professional can perform a complete blood count test to diagnose anemia.
3. Vitamin deficiency
If you’re not getting enough vitamin B12, folic acid or vitamin C, you might develop vitamin deficiency anemia. Feeling numbness or coldness in the hands or feet may accompany vitamin deficiency anemia, though Dr. Junglas says it’s usually not a primary symptom. Extreme tiredness, weakness and dizziness are other symptoms.
A complete blood count test can reveal whether you have vitamin deficiency anemia. Treating the condition depends on the cause, but usually taking supplements or eating foods rich in the vitamins you’re missing will help.
4. Raynaud’s syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition where the blood vessels in your fingers and toes temporarily tighten when they’re exposed to cold temperatures. The skin will appear white or blue and feel cold or numb, and once the blood returns, the areas may become red.
“The blood vessels in your skin overreact to cold external temperatures, and without blood flowing, your skin (and you) feel cold,” Dr. Wantuck says. “This is a self-defense mechanism to protect your body from freezing and conserve heat, but goes haywire in some individuals.”
While there are medications that can be prescribed for Raynaud’s in severe cases, for the most treatment for Raynaud’s consists of making lifestyle changes like dressing in warmer clothing, quitting smoking, getting more exercise, and taking care of your skin.
Feeling cold is common when people feel fatigued, emotionally, physically or both, Dr. Junglas says. “These factors influence the brain, thermoregulatory (temperature control) system, hormonal and metabolic processes.”
Body temperatures tend to shift as energy levels fluctuate. As your energy levels fall, you may feel colder. Getting plenty of rest will help. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night, but about a third of adults don’t get enough sleep.
6. Panic attacks
Each year, about 10% of Americans experience a panic attack, usually caused by anxiety, depression or other conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Everyone experiences a panic attack a little differently, but common symptoms are difficulty breathing, chest pain or feelings of fear. Some people get chills and may feel cold during a panic attack.
Not sure if you’re having a panic attack? A visit to your doctor can help uncover whether a physical health condition is causing your symptoms, or it’s a mental health condition. Psychotherapy, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can help treat panic attacks.
7. Some drugs and medications
Certain medications, including beta-blockers used to treat heart conditions, can make your hands and feet cold, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Beta-blockers lower your heart rate to keep it from working too hard, and stop it from responding to stress hormones. A slower heart rate can make you feel cold, dizzy and tired.
Coldness is also a side effect of blood-thinning drugs, like warfarin (brand name Coumadin), Dr. Junglas says. And, he adds people who regularly use nicotine, marijuana and opioids may be more sensitive to the cold.
If you’re concerned about side effects of the medication you’re taking, discuss them with your doctor to see if adjusting the dosage or switching to another medication is possible.
8. Peripheral artery disease
This condition causes plaque to build up in the arteries that carry blood to your arms and legs. The build-up narrows or blocks the arteries, so blood can’t get through. Some people may feel pain, numbness or coldness in their legs or feet, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Heart attack, stroke and possible amputation can accompany PAD, too.
Your doctor will run a series of tests to diagnose PAD and may prescribe medications to treat the condition. Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, getting more exercise and eating a healthy diet, can help manage the condition.
Diabetes and coldness are linked in several ways, according to research. The condition can lead to kidney and circulation issues, making you feel cold. Kidney problems could cause anemia, which sometimes brings cold sensitivity. Nerve damage can be another side effect of diabetes, which causes cold sensitivity, especially in your feet.
Extreme thirst and hunger, fatigue and the need to urinate frequently are other diabetes symptoms. Early signs may be hard to spot, so if you’re in a high-risk group, it’s a good idea to get your blood glucose checked regularly. Those most at risk for diabetes are people who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes or have had diabetes during pregnancy. Black and Hispanic men and women, as well as Pacific Islanders, some people of Asian and Native American heritage are at an even greater risk for diabetes.
As you get older, you get more sensitive to cold. That’s because circulation decreases and your metabolism slows down. Aging also increases your risk for illnesses like diabetes and high cholesterol, which could restrict blood flow.
“Mr. Rogers’ sweater was a prop, but we all recognize it was to help underscore his character was an older man,” Dr. Junglas says. “In most cases where fatigue and age are causing cold feelings, improving sleep and optimizing exercise will frequently help the person feel less cold.”
Feeling cold often doesn’t necessarily mean you have a medical condition, Dr. Wantuck says—some people may just be cold natured.
“However, if it is severe, you have other symptoms, or it is persistent, you will want to discuss this with your primary care doctor,” he adds. “A doctor can ask more questions to help rule out serious conditions and administer blood tests to check for common causes.”
Next, read about the best foods to eat when you have the flu.