Do you often find yourself asking, “Why am I always cold?” Whether you’re reaching for a blanket during 70-degree weather or clutching a hot latte to warm your hands indoors, you’re not alone. Many people experience a constant feeling of coldness—often referred to as being “cold”—even when the temperature is objectively mild. While some causes of this sensation are easy to identify and manage, others may require a deeper investigation with the help of a healthcare professional.
Dr. Michael Gill of Advocate Health Care and Dr. Daniel Rausa, a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, share five common reasons behind persistent chills.
1. Anemia
Anemia, often caused by an iron deficiency, occurs when your blood lacks enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and a constant feeling of coldness, as your tissues aren’t receiving the oxygen they need to function properly.
“If you’re a woman with heavy menstrual periods, or if you’ve recently felt unusually tired or experienced shortness of breath during exercise, it could be due to an iron deficiency,” says Dr. Gill.
What to do: Blood tests can reveal any vitamin deficiencies that may be causing your cold sensitivity. Your doctor can then recommend the appropriate supplements to address the issue.
2. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones to regulate your body’s metabolism. Symptoms can include fatigue, hair loss, changes in skin texture, sudden weight changes, and feeling colder than usual.
“Think of your thyroid as your body’s engine. If it’s running too slow, you might gain weight, feel tired, and feel colder because your engine isn’t generating enough heat,” explains Dr. Gill.
What to do: Blood tests can confirm hypothyroidism, and hormone replacement therapy can help restore normal thyroid function.
3. Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition where blood vessels in your extremities—usually fingers and toes—overreact to cold temperatures, causing them to narrow and reduce blood flow. This can make your hands and feet feel unusually cold.
“Normally, blood vessels widen to warm your hands in cold weather. But with Raynaud’s, the opposite happens—the vessels constrict, making your hands feel even colder,” says Dr. Gill.
What to do: Dr. Gill recommends bundling up in cold weather. “Wear warm socks and gloves to protect your extremities.”
4. Low Body Fat
Body fat acts as an insulator, helping to retain heat. Low body fat—whether due to genetics, malnutrition, excessive exercise, or an eating disorder—can make you more susceptible to feeling cold. Additionally, an underweight metabolism can slow down, worsening cold intolerance.
What to do: A nutrition specialist can help you develop a meal and exercise plan to achieve a healthy, sustainable weight.
5. Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy, which can alter your perception of temperature and make you more sensitive to cold. “When the nervous system is affected, people may struggle to regulate their body temperature,” says Dr. Rausa.
What to do: Work with your doctor to manage diabetes through lifestyle changes, diet, and medication to address symptoms like cold sensitivity.
Is It Normal to Always Feel Cold?
When patients complain of constant coldness, Dr. Gill starts by asking how long they’ve experienced the symptoms. “If it’s a lifelong issue, it may just be how their body works. But if it’s a recent development, it could indicate an underlying medical condition,” he explains.
Dr. Rausa emphasizes the importance of a thorough medical evaluation. “We look for other symptoms that might accompany the cold sensitivity, such as fatigue, weight changes, or hair loss, which could point to conditions like anemia or hypothyroidism.”
Keeping a symptom journal can help your doctor identify potential causes. “The key is to look at the bigger picture and determine what’s really driving these symptoms,” says Dr. Rausa.
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This article, Do You Always Feel Cold? Here Are 5 Possible Reasons Why, first appeared on The Point.
