What It Means If You’re Always Cold: Hormones, Iron, and Thyroid Explained

Have you ever felt like everyone else around you is wearing T-shirts, and you’re the only one wearing a jacket? Even in the summer, you may sleep with three blankets, a sweater, and socks. Or you’re the only one who always carries a sweater “just in case” the air conditioner is running.

Although it can fluctuate from roughly 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C), our body strives to maintain a constant normal body temperature of about 98.6°F (37°C). A persistent cold feeling could indicate that your body is struggling to maintain its usual temperature range, while some people feel colder than others.

Being extremely sensitive to cold temperatures is referred to as cold intolerance. It is more intense than the typical cold feeling that most people experience. When everyone else feels “just right” or feels warm, you are likely to feel too cold if you have cold intolerance.

Dr. Thomas Luft, DO, UnityPoint Health, says, “Often, people come in and say, ‘My partner or spouse is complaining we have different internal thermostats.’ So, that’s typically how people think about it. It’s usually in comparison to someone else in their home.”

We’ll look at the most typical reasons for chronic cold intolerance in this article. 

Read More: Why Women Feel Colder Than Men: The Hormonal and Biological Explanation

What’s Considered ‘Always Cold’?

Everybody gets cold sometimes, but if you find yourself shivering when other people are at ease, it can indicate something more serious than simple sensitivity. A tendency where your body continuously fights to maintain a suitable temperature, regardless of the surroundings, is commonly referred to as being “always cold.”

When there is a chill in the air, you will inevitably feel cold at times. However, if you are unable to stay warm while wearing warm clothing or having a heater on indoors, the weather may not be the cause of your issue.

Someone likely keeps things rather cool at work and home, or you may have cold intolerance.

“Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to cold temperatures and is more severe than the normal feeling of chilliness you have when it is cold,” said Colton Redding, MD, a family medicine physician with Banner Health.

Some causes of cold intolerance may be related to a medical problem that has to be treated, while other causes are frequently nothing to shiver (or worry) over.

“Healthy bodies can regulate temperature in cold environments for about an hour,” said Kaley Wilson, a Marshfield Clinic Health System family medicine nurse practitioner. “If I step into the cold weather outside without warm clothing, my body’s internal temperature regulators should receive signals and work to generate heat. One heat-generating mechanism leads to shivering.”

If your body doesn’t try to maintain core body temperature after spending time in the cold, or you consistently feel cold when others are warm, then it’s time to talk to your doctor. 

Possible Causes of Constant Cold Sensation

The following common medical conditions can alter your body’s perception and response to cold: 

Anemia: This condition occurs when the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout its tissues. You may experience feelings of coldness, particularly in your hands and feet, when you do not have sufficient oxygen in your body.

Other symptoms of anemia include pale skin, dizziness, or fatigue. Iron deficiency is said to be the main reason for anemia. However, anemia can also be due to a deficiency in vitamin B12, particularly in older adults or in individuals living on restricted plant-based diets. 

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common causes of feeling cold all the time. The thyroid regulates your metabolism. When your thyroid gland has issues, it fails to produce enough heat to maintain your core body temperature, which slows down your metabolism. 

Sleep Deprivation: You may feel cold if you do not have adequate sleep. There is some evidence to suggest that poor sleep hygiene may increase the likelihood of you experiencing cold sensations. A person who does not sleep enough may be more likely to lose heat faster and may even find it hard to stay warm in environments that are widely considered comfortable. 

Dehydration: Water is an essential fuel for your metabolism. Water helps break down food, converting it into energy and heat. If you do not drink enough water, your body cannot produce enough energy to maintain its temperature, partly due to a slower metabolism. 

Poor Circulation: It can be challenging to keep your arms and legs warm if your blood isn’t flowing correctly, as in the case of diseases like peripheral artery disease or Raynaud’s phenomenon. It implies that even if your body temperature is normal, your hands, feet, and even your nose may feel cold. 

Medication: By expanding blood vessels and decreasing blood flow to your hands and feet, or by interfering with your body’s capacity to regulate its internal temperature, blood pressure drugs, such as blood thinners, can cause you to feel cold. Certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are linked to cold hands and feet. 

Low Body Fat or Low BMI: Individuals with low body fat or a low BMI may struggle to stay warm. It is because body fat keeps you warm by acting as insulation. People who are naturally thin, extremely active, or underweight frequently exhibit this. 

Diabetes: Long-term elevated blood sugar levels can damage your body’s nerves, particularly those in your hands and feet. It can make it challenging to sense temperature changes, so even if your body temperature is normal, you may notice that your hands or feet feel chilly or numb. 

Anxiety: You feel cold when you’re stressed or anxious. Your hands and feet feel cold because your body rushes blood to your core and increases adrenaline when it enters fight or flight mode. 

Read More: Unexplained Fatigue? It Could Be a Thyroid Issue

When Feeling Cold Is a Red Flag

While occasional chills are very common, persistent coldness along with other unsettling symptoms could indicate a significant, serious health issue. Feeling cold all the time is one of the many signs the body sends you that something is wrong. If you are experiencing severe, continuous cold sensitivity and/or other symptoms, consulting a health professional is a good idea. 

Signs to watch out for include:

• Unexplained tiredness accompanied by pale skin, dizziness, or a constant feeling of being cold.
• Constant tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
• Unexplained or rapid weight loss; eating more but losing weight; or noticeable changes in appetite.
• Signs of hormonal imbalance or abnormal menstrual cycles.
• Unexplained, new, or worsening mood swings (especially if you feel cold).

It is important to note these when they group and be observant about the pattern. Depending upon your symptoms, a health professional might recommend a blood panel that screens for iron, vitamin B12, thyroid tests, etc. Early identification of root causes provides insight for better treatment options and avoids consequences. 

What You Can Do

Even though an underlying illness that needs treatment may cause cold sensitivity, experts suggest the following lifestyle modifications to help: 

Get Tested: To rule out hypothyroidism, get your thyroid function checked with the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free T4 tests. Tests like ferritin, iron levels, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) provide a closer look at iron storage and help identify if an iron deficiency is responsible for your symptoms. Folate and vitamin B12 are essential for healthy red blood cells and neurological function. 

Layering your Wardrobe: Have a light jacket or sweater on hand to throw on when the weather becomes chilly. When venturing into cold weather, consider using hand warmers or extra gloves. 

Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume a diet rich in lean meats, whole grains, and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. To maintain a stable body temperature, your body requires sufficient weight, as well as vitamins and nutrients. 

Get Moving: Engaging in physical activity can increase your body temperature. To reduce your sensitivity to cold, consider incorporating snack-sized workouts throughout your daily routine. 

Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration, which may make you more sensitive to cold. Every day, try to consume 64 ounces of sugar-free, non-caffeinated liquids. 

Read More: Best Yoga Poses for Thyroid Treatment

Final Thoughts

Your body may be trying to tell you that something more serious is happening when you are feeling cold all the time, so it’s not just a matter of grabbing for a thicker sweater. A slow metabolism, hormonal abnormalities, or nutritional inadequacies can all contribute to persistent coldness, which can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature.

The good news is that even tiny, deliberate actions can have a significant impact. Restoring warmth and energy can be achieved by making lifestyle adjustments and enhancing your diet. Don’t undervalue the significance of focused medical testing, though. A basic blood panel can detect thyroid, iron, or vitamin problems that the correct care can easily resolve.

You can transition from feeling cold all the time to feeling more balanced, invigorated, and confident in yourself by combining medical knowledge with good behaviors.