Why do i feel cold?

Feeling cold when others are comfortable can be frustrating! There are actually many possible reasons, ranging from simple to more complex:

Common everyday causes:

• Low body weight - Less fat insulation means feeling colder
• Poor circulation - Blood not reaching extremities properly
• Anemia - Low iron reduces oxygen carrying capacity
• Thyroid issues - Hypothyroidism slows metabolism
• Dehydration - Water helps regulate body temperature
• Lack of sleep - Affects your body's temperature regulation

Lifestyle factors: - Diet - Not enough calories or specific nutrients - Exercise habits - Both too much and too little can affect temperature - Stress levels - Chronic stress impacts many bodily functions - Clothing choices - Synthetic fabrics vs natural fibers

Quick things to try: 1. Layer your clothing - multiple thin layers trap heat better 2. Stay hydrated - drink warm liquids throughout the day 3. Move regularly - exercise improves circulation 4. Check your diet - ensure adequate protein and healthy fats 5. Warm your core - rather than just hands and feet

When to see a doctor: - If it's a sudden change from your normal - Accompanied by unexplained weight changes - With fatigue, hair loss, or skin changes - If home remedies don't help after a few weeks

I used to feel cold constantly until I discovered I was mildly anemic - iron supplements made a huge difference!

Another factor that might contribute to chronic coldness is a Vitamin B12 Deficiency. B12 is crucial for nerve function and the production of red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to anemia (as mentioned before), but it can also cause nerve damage that makes you feel cold or experience tingling, particularly in your extremities. If you're vegetarian or vegan, or if you have digestive issues that limit nutrient absorption, this is a distinct possibility. You can often address it with supplements, but again, a proper diagnosis via blood work is a must. Don't self-medicate; see a doc!

As someone who's always been "the cold one" in the room, let me share what I've learned from years of dealing with this:

The medical conditions that commonly cause feeling cold:

1. Thyroid problems - Your thyroid is like your body's thermostat. When it's underactive (hypothyroidism), everything slows down, including heat production.

2. Anemia - This was my issue! Low iron means your blood can't carry oxygen efficiently, so your body conserves heat by reducing blood flow to extremities.

3. Raynaud's phenomenon - Your blood vessels overreact to cold, causing fingers and toes to turn white or blue.

4. Diabetes - Can cause nerve damage and circulation problems.

5. Low blood pressure - Less force pushing blood to your extremities.

What helped me personally: - Iron supplements (after doctor confirmation) - Regular cardio exercise to improve circulation - Wool base layers instead of cotton - Small frequent meals to keep metabolism active - Avoiding caffeine which constricts blood vessels

The turning point for me was getting a full blood panel done. Turns out I had borderline low iron and slightly elevated TSH (thyroid indicator). Addressing those made about a 70% difference.

Important: Don't self-diagnose - what worked for me might not be your issue. A simple blood test can reveal a lot about why you're always reaching for that sweater!

Feeling cold can come from many causes — environmental, physiological, or medical. The simplest reasons are exposure to low temperature, wet clothing, or poor insulation. But if you feel cold even in a warm environment, consider other factors: low body fat, low blood sugar, dehydration, poor circulation, anemia, thyroid problems (hypothyroidism), or certain medications. When to worry: if the sensation of being cold is new, persistent, accompanied by fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, or paleness, it could point to anemia or hypothyroidism and you should get basic tests like a CBC (complete blood count) and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). If you have symptoms like fever, confusion, or blue lips/fingers, seek immediate medical attention.

Practical tips: layer clothing, keep hydrated, ensure adequate calories if you’re dieting (low caloric intake can make you feel cold), and schedule a visit with your GP for blood tests if the feeling persists. Small lifestyle fixes (warm drinks, light exercise to boost circulation) help short term; labs will find treatable causes if it’s medical.

From a nutritional perspective, what you eat can dramatically affect how cold you feel! Here are some dietary factors that might be contributing:

Foods that help warm you up: - Iron-rich foods - red meat, spinach, lentils, fortified cereals - Vitamin B12 sources - eggs, dairy, nutritional yeast - Complex carbohydrates - oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes - Healthy fats - nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil - Thermogenic spices - ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper

Common nutritional deficiencies that cause coldness: - Iron deficiency - reduces oxygen in blood - B12 deficiency - affects red blood cell production - Iodine deficiency - impacts thyroid function - Calorie restriction - body conserves energy by reducing heat

My warm-up eating strategy: 1. Start with warm breakfast - oatmeal with nuts and cinnamon 2. Include protein every meal - helps maintain metabolic rate 3. Stay hydrated with warm drinks - herbal teas throughout day 4. Add healthy fats - avocado, olive oil, nuts 5. Use warming spices - ginger in tea, cinnamon on foods

What made the biggest difference for me: Eating enough calories throughout the day and ensuring I got adequate iron and B12. I used to skip breakfast and wonder why I was shivering by 10 AM!

Quick test: Try having a warm, balanced meal and see if you feel warmer within an hour. If yes, your diet might be part of the issue.

I agree with the health-related possibilities, but also consider a much simpler, lifestyle factor: Dehydration. Being properly hydrated is vital for regulating your body temperature. Water helps your body hold and release heat efficiently. If you're not drinking enough water throughout the day, your body's core functions, including temperature regulation, can suffer, making you feel perpetually cold. I've found that just consciously increasing my water intake has made a huge difference in how comfortable I feel, even in slightly cooler rooms. Maybe try tracking your water for a week and see if it helps! 💧

It's completely normal to feel cold occasionally, but if you're feeling cold all the time when others aren't, it could be a sign of a few things you should talk to a doctor about.

• Anemia (Iron Deficiency): This is super common, especially among women. If your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells (or hemoglobin), you can't transport enough oxygen, which makes your entire body feel chronically chilled. You might also feel fatigue and weakness.
• Hypothyroidism: This is when your thyroid gland isn't producing enough thyroid hormone. Since the thyroid is essentially your body's thermostat, a low level can slow down your metabolism, reducing your body heat production. You might notice other symptoms like dry skin, weight gain, or forgetfulness.
• Poor Circulation: If your hands and feet are always cold, it could be a sign that your blood isn't circulating efficiently, perhaps due to Raynaud's phenomenon or even just sitting for too long.
• Just Being Underweight/Low Body Fat: Less body fat means less insulation for your core temperature.

Definitely book an appointment with your GP to get a basic blood panel done. Better safe than sorry!

Personal anecdote and suggestions: I used to feel cold all the time while working late nights; it turned out I was low on iron. After taking iron supplements (prescribed and monitored by my doctor), the constant chill improved. Until you have tests done, some safe measures: wear thermal layers, keep feet warm (circulation in feet affects whole-body warmth), eat iron-rich meals (spinach, lentils, red meat if you eat meat), and consider vitamin D check if you’re indoors a lot. If you’re on medication, ask your prescriber if feeling cold is a side effect.