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Everyday Health
Why Am I Always Cold?
By By Kate Daniel. Medically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD,
15 hours ago
Did you know that hormonal birth control can affect body temperature? Liubomyr Vorona/iStock
If you tend to grab a sweater or blanket before others around you, you know what it's like to always feel cold.
And while all humans share a somewhat similar average body temperature, there are slight differences, says Francesco Celi, MD , an endocrinologist and professor at the University of Connecticut in Farmington. "Although the ‘normal' temperature is 37 degrees C or 98.6 degrees F, there is some variation among individuals."
Women, for instance, tend to have higher core temperatures - the temperature of internal organs - and colder hands than men, for instance, he says.
The higher the core temperature, the more energy one needs to burn to maintain that temperature when exposed to cold, Dr. Celi explains. So, presumably, individuals who have a higher core temperature will be more sensitive to cold (or will tend to feel colder than those with a lower core temperature).
Celi says where you grew up can affect your temperature sensitivity, too. Someone raised in a warm climate, for instance, will be more likely to feel cold in warmer temperatures than someone raised in a chilly climate.
Apart from gender and where you were raised, what other factors affect whether you tend to feel colder than those around you? And when might an underlying health problem be to blame?
8 Reasons You Always Feel Cold
If you tend to feel cold all the time - particularly if this has always been the case for you - you may simply have a higher core body temperature. Other common causes include being overtired or early symptoms of a cold .
But sometimes feeling cold can be the sign of a problem with metabolism, thermal regulation, or the nervous system, Celi says. And for these types of issues, getting the right diagnosis and treatment is important.
Issues with circulation can also cause someone to feel cold, but the claim of "poor circulation" is somewhat of a myth, says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD , an internist in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. If a circulation issue is causing you to feel cold all the time, usually that's because of an underlying condition, like Raynaud's, rather than below-average circulation (more on this below).
Here's what you should know about why you may feel cold all the time.
1. Thyroid Disease
The thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism and help control blood vessel dilation, which can affect heart rate, breathing, digestion, and more. When this small, butterfly-shaped gland works properly, it can help speed up metabolism and promote blood flow so your body can maintain a comfortable temperature.
But if your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, your metabolism slows down and blood vessels constrict, making you feel cold, Celi says.
The thyroid regulates the metabolic processes that burn energy. For people with hypothyroidism , these processes (which are chemical reactions that produce heat) don't happen the way they should, Celi explains.
Problems with the pituitary gland can also cause issues with the thyroid, as it regulates the thyroid.
2. Raynaud's Syndrome
In Raynaud's syndrome, small blood vessels in certain body parts - such as the fingers and toes - constrict more than they should and spasm, causing these areas to feel numb or cold because of restricted blood flow. These "attacks" usually happen in response to triggers such as cold temperatures or stress.
Feeling cold is one of the more common symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome.
Besides the usual tips for staying warm, people with Raynaud's syndrome may want to make lifestyle adjustments to avoid attacks, says Santhanam Lakshminarayanan, MD , a rheumatologist and a professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut in Farmington. These include rinsing refrigerated fruits and veggies in warm water before cutting them, avoiding cold beverages, and avoiding resting hands or feet on cold surfaces, like granite countertops.
"The other thing is to dress warmly when grocery shopping," Dr. Lakshminarayanan says. Food stores are often kept at cold temperatures, which can make them very uncomfortable for people with Raynaud's.
3. Anemia
People with anemia don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen and other nutrients to cells throughout the body. When there isn't enough blood circulating, you're more likely to feel cold, says Theodore Strange, MD , an internist at Northwell Health in New York City.
Iron deficiency can also cause anemia. This type of anemia may be particularly likely to cause cold intolerance because iron is essential for the creation of thyroid hormones, as well as red blood cells, Teitelbaum says. "The thyroid hormone cannot be converted to its active form efficiently, leaving people functionally hypothyroid - and cold intolerant."
Injuries, genetic variations, illnesses affecting the blood or bone marrow, and other conditions can also cause anemia.
4. Low Body Weight
Strange says that people with very little body fat are usually more susceptible to cold than those with more. "Fat is a great insulator," he explains. Additionally, the body has to work harder to carry extra weight - even if it's just 10 to 20 pounds, he says, noting that this can almost mimic exercise , causing body temperature to rise.
Moreover, people who have a low body weight due to an eating disorder , such as anorexia nervosa , are more likely to have nutrient deficiencies and anemia.
5. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep affects the hypothalamus, a small part of the brain that helps the body maintain homeostasis (or coordinate your bodily functions, so all systems are regulated and running smoothly). One of the things it helps keep in check is body temperature.
Inadequate sleep can cause the hypothalamus to malfunction, says Julia Adamian, MD , an internist, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and the section chief for the division of general medicine and clinical innovation at NYU Langone Health in New York City.
"Sleep is extremely important for well-being," Dr. Adamian says, including proper thermoregulation (or maintenance of core body temperature).
6. Nerve Damage and Conditions That Affect the Nervous System
The nervous system helps us maintain body temperature, too. For instance, we shiver to generate heat. So, anything that affects the nervous system (including Parkinson's disease , fibromyalgia , multiple sclerosis , and stroke ) may impact temperature regulation and tolerance, Strange says. Neuropathy , a condition in which the nerves are damaged, can also cause weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain, and make you feel cold.
Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to neuropathy because over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and cause them to misfire, says Ranjani Ramanathan, MD , an endocrinologist with BJC Medical Group in St. Peters, Missouri. She says chronically high blood sugar can also damage small blood vessels and reduce circulation, causing affected body parts to feel cold.
7. Infection or Fever
When we're sick, our hypothalamus sets our internal thermostat to a higher level to help fight off the infection. Our body then tries to generate extra heat to meet that higher set point, explains Nimmi Rajagopal, MD , a family medicine physician at Cook County Health in Chicago.
"We then feel cold - or the chills - because our temperature is below that new goal," Dr. Rajagopal says.
Occasionally, severe infections, such as sepsis , can cause a drop in body temperature (and even hypothermia ) because the body is redistributing blood flow away from the skin to more vital organs, such as the kidneys, heart, or liver. It may also happen when an infection damages the immune system and causes the hypothalamus to malfunction, says Deepa Iyengar, MD , a family medicine physician at UTHealth Houston.
8. Medications
Certain medications can affect the nervous system or impede blood flow to certain body areas.
Some classes of drugs that may contribute to feeling cold include the following:
If an underlying health issue is making you feel cold all the time, it's important to address it, Adamian says. Doing so may help you not feel so cold, as well as treat or manage other symptoms.
In the meantime, Lakshminarayanan recommends the following steps to stay warm:
Wear layers, such as thermal underwear, a long-sleeve shirt, a sweater, and a coat.
Choose warm gloves lined with silk or an engineered material that keeps the wind out and locks in heat.
Cover your neck, ears, and head.
Wear wool socks and warm boots.
Drink warm liquids.
Use a hot water bottle or heating pad.
Place a space heater near your desk if you get cold at work.
When to See a Doctor About Feeling Cold
If you've always been sensitive to cold, there's likely nothing to worry about, Ramanathan says.
"Some people, in general, are just colder than others. That's just how they've been all their life - they tend always to be the one who feels cold," she says. "It's less of a concern if you always remember yourself that way."
But if you're feeling cooler than usual or have a known health condition associated with nerve or circulation issues, you may want to speak with your healthcare provider, Ramanathan says. It's also important to talk to your doctor if you're experiencing other bothersome symptoms.
"Anytime someone feels they are feeling too cold, they need to bring it to the attention of the doctor so that it can be thoroughly evaluated for underlying causes," Adamian says.
When speaking with your healthcare provider, Dr. Iyengar says they may ask questions like the following:
When do you feel cold?
At what temperature do you feel comfortable?
Have you recently gained or lost weight?
Do you feel fatigued?
Have you noticed changes in your skin color?
Do you have other symptoms like constipation, hair loss, pain, etc.?
Are you feeling cold all over or in specific body parts?
"Be as thorough as you can, bring up examples, be specific regarding the circumstances, and mention any additional symptoms," Adamian says. "They can all be related."
The Takeaway
In most cases when people tend to feel cold all the time - and they've always noticed this - it means they likely have a slightly higher core body temperature than others. If you notice suddenly starting to feel cold more often when others are not, or you're experiencing other symptoms, it's a good idea to let your doctor know in case it's a sign of a health issue that needs addressing.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Sources
Thyroid: What It Is, Function & Problems. Cleveland Clinic . June 7, 2022.
Hernandez-Cordero NZ et al. Hypothalamic Dysregulation: A Hidden Culprit in Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms. Journal of the Endocrine Society . May 3, 2021.
Peripheral Neuropathy: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic . May 3, 2021.
Drewry AM et al. The Presence of Hypothermia Within 24 Hours of Sepsis Diagnosis Predicts Persistent Lymphopenia. Critical Care Medicine . June 2015.
Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.
He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.
He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.
Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.
Kate Daniel is a journalist specializing in health and wellness. Previously, she was a reporter for Whidbey News Group in Washington, where she earned four regional awards for her work. Daniel has written for various outlets, including HealthDay, Nice News, and Giddy. See full bio See Our Editorial Policy Meet Our Health Expert Network
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