May 16, 2025
Why Am I Always Cold? 8 Possible Causes of Cold Sensitivity & What You Can Do
Feeling cold and freezing all the time may seem normal. But cold sensitivity may be a sign of a health issue.
Immune Regulation
Written by
Mito Team
Why You Might Feel Like a Human Popsicle
Ever feel like you're the only one bundled up in a jacket while everyone else is in a T-shirt? Maybe you sleep with socks, a hoodie, and three blankets—even in the summer. Or you're the person who always brings a sweater "just in case" the AC is on blast.
Your body aims to keep a steady normal body temperature around 98.6°F (37°C), though it can actually range from about 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C). Some people just feel colder than others, but if you're always feeling cold, it might mean your body is having a hard time staying in that normal temperature range.
8 Health Conditions That Can Make You Feel Cold
Here are common health conditions that affect how your body senses and responds to cold:
1. Anemia
Anemia is when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around your body. Without enough oxygen, you might feel colder than usual, especially in your hands and feet. Other symptoms include feeling tired, dizzy, or having pale skin.
The most common type is caused by iron deficiency. However, low vitamin B12 can also lead to anemia, especially in older folks or those who eat mostly plant-based foods.
2. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland isn't making enough hormones. This gland plays a role in controlling your metabolism, which is how your body turns food into energy and heat. When hormone levels drop, your metabolism slows down. This can lead to weight gain and tiredness, and you might also feel cold all the time.
3. Poor Circulation
If your blood isn't flowing well, like with conditions such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or peripheral artery disease, it can be tough to keep your arms and legs warm. That means your hands, feet, and even your nose might feel cold, even if your actual body temperature is fine.
4. Low Body Fat or Low BMI
When you have low body fat or a low BMI, it can be tough to stay warm. That’s because body fat works like insulation, helping to keep you cozy. This is often seen in people who are naturally slim, super active, or not eating enough calories.
5. Diabetes
When blood sugar levels are high for a long time, they can hurt the nerves in your body, especially in your hands and feet. This can make it hard to feel temperature changes, so you might notice your hands or feet feeling cold or numb, even if your body temperature is normal.
6. Fibromyalgia or Chronic Illness
Some ongoing health issues can change how our bodies feel the temperature. For example, people with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome often say they are more sensitive to cold or have temperature swings.
7. Anorexia Nervosa
If you’re not eating enough, your body goes into a sort of energy-saving mode. Anorexia slows down their metabolism, lowers their body temperature, and reduces blood flow to the skin. That is why many people with eating disorders feel cold a lot of the time.
8. Medications
Certain medications, like beta-blockers for high blood pressure, sedatives, or antidepressants, can impact how your body works. They might make you feel colder than usual because they can affect your circulation, metabolism, or nervous system.
What About Age, Gender, or Pregnancy?
Kids and older folks tend to get cold quickly than others. Babies aren't great at keeping their body heat yet, while older adults usually have slower metabolisms and thinner skin, which makes them lose heat faster.
Women may feel colder than men because of differences in hormones and body composition, like lower muscle mass.
Pregnant women usually run warmer, but if you’re expecting and still feel cold, it could signal anemia or low calorie intake.
Blood Tests That Can Reveal the Cause
If you’re tired of layering up and wondering if something deeper is going on, talk to your doctor about getting these blood tests to figure out what’s causing your cold sensitivity:
CBC (Complete Blood Count): Screens for anemia by measuring red blood cell levels, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free T4: Check your thyroid function to rule out hypothyroidism.
Ferritin, Iron, Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): A deeper look into iron stores and whether iron deficiency is behind your symptoms.
Vitamin B12 & Folate: Important for red blood cell health and nerve function.
Fasting Glucose or HbA1c: Helps determine if diabetes or blood sugar issues are at play.
Magnesium levels: Low magnesium levels might impair your body's ability to maintain normal body temperature and proper blood flow.
These tests are a great starting point for uncovering the reasons why you have cold intolerance. Mito Health offers these blood tests and more.
Health Hacks to Warm Up Naturally
After any underlying issues are addressed, some simple everyday changes can help you warm up faster and stay more comfortable.
Start by looking at your diet. Eating warm meals that are high in protein, with some complex carbs and healthy fats, helps your body stay warm. Don’t forget to add some warming spices like ginger or cayenne. Also, make sure you’re drinking lots of water because dehydration messes with how your body regulates temperature.
Physical activity is another powerful heat booster. Movement gets your blood flowing and builds muscle mass, which helps generate and retain heat. Even light daily activity, like walking or stretching, can help.
Dressing in layers, especially with wool or moisture-wicking materials, traps body heat and keeps you warmer longer. Covering your head, hands, and feet prevents major heat loss. Just don’t go overboard with tight clothing—it can restrict circulation.
Chronic stress can cause blood vessels to constrict and make you feel colder. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or a warm bath before bed can help your body stay calm and warm.
Get to The Bottom of Your Cold Sensitivity
Constantly feeling cold isn’t just a quirk. It’s often a sign that something in your body needs attention. Whether it’s anemia, thyroid issues, or simply not getting enough calories, there are real, addressable reasons your human body temperature might feel off.
Start by working with your doctor to explore possible causes. At Mito Health, we make it easy to test your thyroid function, iron levels, B12, and more. Find out what’s going on inside your body and get personalized strategies to feel better and warmer.
References:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/why-do-i-feel-so-cold-all-the-time
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/improve-circulation
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