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In colder regions, feeling cold is typical. Perhaps you’re more prone to having cold hands and feet. However, if you observe that you feel cold all the time, even when it’s not cold outside, there may be an underlying cause. Here are nine potential causes of your persistent coldness.
Lightweight body
For a few reasons, being underweight—defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as having a BMI under 18.5 kg/m2—can make you feel chilly.
First of all, an inadequate amount of body fat prevents you from protecting yourself from cold temperatures, according to Maggie Moon, RD, a nutritionist located in Los Angeles, who spoke with Health.
A 2022 study published in the EPMA Journal suggests that having a low BMI may also indicate you have less fat tissue, which could reduce the amount of heat your body produces.
You could also be feeling chilly because having a low body weight could also indicate you have a low level of muscle mass. According to Margarita Rohr, MD, an internist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, this is because muscle helps regulate body temperature by producing heat.
What to do: If you’re underweight, speak with your doctor who will order tests to determine the root of your underweight condition. Additionally, doctors may advise you to gain a few pounds by consuming an abundance of whole, nutritious foods that are high in protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. Additionally, using the weight machines at the gym or buying free weights can aid in muscular growth.
Hypothyroidism
According to Holly Phillips, MD, a board-certified internist with a private practice in New York City, “always feeling cold is a telltale sign of hypothyroidism, which means your thyroid doesn’t secrete enough thyroid hormone.” Your metabolism slows down without the proper amount of this hormone, which prevents you from producing enough heat.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), this disease affects about 5% of Americans. According to MedlinePlus, rates are greater in females and people over 50. According to MedlinePlus, symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Hair loss or hair thinning
Dry hair and epidermis
Heavier or more frequent menstruation
Unaccounted-for weight increase
What to do: If you think you might have a thyroid issue, consult a doctor who can perform a blood test to validate the diagnosis and administer the necessary treatments.
Anemia due to a lack of iron
One of the most frequent causes of persistent chill is low iron levels. That’s because iron aids in the movement of oxygen by red blood cells, which allows your body to generate heat, according to Dr. Phillips. Iron is also essential because, according to Moon, a lack of it can create hypothyroidism, which can make you feel even colder by slowing down the thyroid’s ability to function.
Other signs of insufficient iron levels, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, include:
Light epidermis
Broken fingernail
Difficulty paying attention
Breathing difficulty
What to do: First, you should have a blood test to properly diagnose the problem. Then, based on the severity of your anemia, your doctor may advise you to take iron supplements, receive an IV infusion, or increase your consumption of foods high in iron like red meat, leafy vegetables, and eggs, according to Moon.
Limited Circulation
If other areas of your body are warm but your hands and feet are cold, there may be a circulation issue preventing blood from getting to your extremities.
Raynaud’s disease, also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a frequent cause of circulation issues. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 10% of people have primary Raynaud’s disease, which does not result from another illness like secondary Raynaud’s disease does.
According to Dr. Rohr, this disease causes the blood vessels in your hands and feet to momentarily narrow in response to cold.
According to Dr. Rohr, other causes of poor blood flow to the limbs include cardiovascular illness, which reduces the effectiveness of your heart’s pumping action, and smoking, which narrows blood vessels.
What to do: Visit your doctor, who can determine whether Raynaud’s disease is the root of your circulatory issues. Healthcare professionals can point you in the direction of a treatment plan and make sure your symptoms don’t indicate a more severe condition, like cardiovascular disease.
Dehydration
If you find it difficult to wake up, you may need to increase your water intake. Water makes up up to 60% of the adult human body, and water helps control bodily temperature, according to Moon.
“Water will trap heat and release it slowly, keeping your body temperature in a comfortable range, if you’re properly hydrated. Your body is more susceptible to extreme temps when it has less water, said Moon.
Other signs of depletion besides feeling cold include:
Dizziness
Confusion
Arid epidermis
Tiredness
Less perspiration and urination than usual
Urine with a deep hue
Jaw ache
Steps to take: Moon advised drinking at least eight glasses of water each day, but always consume more if you’re exercising or spending time in the heat.
Lack of vitamin B12
According to Moon, anemia can result in persistent coldness if vitamin B12 intake is insufficient (the typical adult needs 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily). The following are signs of a vitamin B12 shortage, according to MedlinePlus:
Fatigue
Constipation or diarrhea
Reduced hunger
Light epidermis
Being agitated
Breathlessness, typically when exercising
A swollen, red, or bleeding tongue or lips
The following symptoms can also result from untreated vitamin B12 deficiency if it remains untreated for an extended period of time:
Tingling or numbness in the limbs or feet
Mental confusion or a shift in state Concentration issues
Loss of awareness of truth (psychosis)
Loss of equilibrium
Hallucinations
What to do: Although B12 deficiency is uncommon in the general population, vegans and vegetarians are more likely to experience it because the vitamin is almost solely present in animal products, according to Moon. Try a vitamin instead if you’re a plant-based person. If not, consult your doctor as it might be an indication of a problem with digestion.