Feeling Cold All the Time? Signs to Watch and What to Ask Your Doctor
A reader wrote in asking why they feel cold all the time, even when other people seem perfectly comfortable around them.
Amazingly, feeling cold all the time can be a real symptom, not just a personality quirk or a battle over the thermostat. Sometimes it comes down to normal body temperature regulation, but the Cleveland Clinic states that ongoing cold intolerance can also be linked to issues like anemia, poor circulation, hypothyroidism, or loss of body fat.
It may sound like a symptom that you can easily brush off, but it can sometimes point to a health issue worth paying attention to.
The first thing to figure out is whether this is a passing chill, cold hands and feet now and then, or something that feels out of proportion to the room, the weather, and everyone else around you.
Is it normal to always feel cold?
As you age, the body can get a little less predictable. Still, being cold all the time is not something to shrug off automatically.
Obviously, cold hands or feet can be perfectly normal in actual cold conditions because blood vessels tighten to protect your core temperature. But if you are sitting at home, bundled up, and still feel chilled for no clear reason, that’s different.
Start with the pattern
The goal is to understand whether the feeling hits only in your hands and feet, or whether your whole body feels cold.
For instance, some people simply tend to have colder hands and feet, while others may have Raynaud’s syndrome. This is where fingers or toes can turn white, then blue or purple, then red as blood flow changes. If you feel numbness, tingling, or throbbing as they warm back up, speak to your doctor about Raynaud’s syndrome.
When trying to understand your pattern of coldness, pay attention to triggers, too. Is it genuinely cold outside? Are you suffering from stress? Etc.
For example, Raynaud’s can flare with exposure to cold, and substances like caffeine, nicotine, and marijuana may also make cold hands and feet worse in some people.
Understand what is happening, your surroundings as it happens, and when the cold-feeling happens all help a doctor diagnose your symptoms. So consider taking notes.
Symptoms to watch out for
Anemia is another possibility doctors may consider. The Cleveland Clinic states that when your body is not carrying enough oxygen because of low red blood cells, feeling cold can show up along with fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headaches, shortness of breath, or paleness.
That combo is worth looking out for, even if the cold feeling is the symptom that grabbed your attention first.
Hypothyroidism can also be a cause. The Cleveland Clinic states that an underactive thyroid slows processes involved in regulating body temperature, with about half of people with hypothyroidism having cold intolerance.
Then there are chills, which are slightly different. The Cleveland Clinic describes chills as a sign your body is trying to regulate its core temperature. Chills can happen when you are simply cold, but they can also show up with infections, low blood sugar, panic attacks, menopause, or other medical problems.
This is why it’s essential to look out for other symptoms. They all help a doctor diagnose your problem.
No matter the change in health, whether it be feeling cold or something more, always contact a doctor.
More About:Reader Questions