The doctor has given 5 possible reasons why you are constantly cold

doctor of integrative medicine, therapist, infectious disease specialist at UniProf Academy of Physicians

Why might you feel cold all the time?

The central link that regulates whether we will be cold or hot is a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. If the internal temperature becomes too low or too high, it sends signals to the muscles, organs, glands and nervous system.

The hypothalamus controls two endocrine system organs that also influence thermoregulation, the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands.

Disturbances in the work of these organs can give a failure in heat generation. But there are other conditions in which a person is constantly cold, despite the fact that the surrounding temperature is normal. Let’s look at why you may be cold.

Hypothyroidism

The connection between body temperature and the thyroid gland is well known. When the ambient temperature drops, the thyroid gland produces more hormones to speed up metabolism and heat production.

There is such a thing as Wilson syndrome, where hypothyroidism is diagnosed based on low body temperature and nonspecific symptoms, despite normal test values. But the American Thyroid Association does not recognize this syndrome.

With reduced thyroid function, not enough hormones are not released, as a consequence, heat production is disturbed, the average body temperature falls below 36.6°C, the person becomes sensitive to cold.

What to do if constantly freezing hands and feet, read in the material at the link.

Non-specific symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• increased fatigue;
• lack of vigor;
• hair loss;
• marked dryness of the skin;
• tendency to constipation;
• weight gain;
• edema;
• decreased sex drive;
• painful or irregular menstrual cycle.

Iron deficiency, B9- and B12-dependent anemias

Iron is part of hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to all tissues in the body. It helps to store and produce heat. When iron deficiency occurs, hemoglobin levels decrease and tissues do not receive enough oxygen, this can cause cold intolerance.

There have been studies confirming that the lower the iron levels in the body, the more the ability to thermoregulate is reduced.

Other types of anemia, such as B12- and B9-dependent anemia, can also lead to persistent chilliness, due to decreased hemoglobin and insufficient oxygenation of tissues.

Symptoms of anemia:

• Constant fatigue, weakness;
• pallor of the skin;
• irregularities in heart function;
• dizziness, headaches;
• chest pain;
• cold hands and feet.

To diagnose anemia, it is necessary to take a general blood test.

Disease of the peripheral vessels

Increased chilliness is often noted when blood does not flow to the tissues due to damage in the vascular channel. A characteristic symptom in such a case is cold hands and feet.

Conditions that cause impaired blood flow:

• Blood clotting disorders;
• arteriosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels);
• Raynaud’s disease (spasms in the arteries of the fingers and toes).

In addition to chilliness, such patients may feel pain, tingling, numbness in the extremities, bluish or pale color of the skin of the fingers and toes.

Diabetes mellitus

This disease is accompanied by various changes in metabolic, cardiovascular and nervous functions.

One of the pathological conditions in diabetes mellitus is neuropathy, a malfunction of one or many nerves. Normally, when the ambient temperature drops, blood vessels narrow, blood flow decreases, so the body tries to keep warm. With diabetic neuropathy, this mechanism is disturbed, and there is a constant feeling of cold.

To diagnose diabetes mellitus, blood glucose, insulin and glycated hemoglobin should be taken.

Anorexia

This is an eating disorder in which there is a refusal to eat due to psychological or physical reasons. In people suffering from anorexia, all metabolic processes are slowed down, the amount of fat and muscle tissue is reduced. In such conditions, the body can not produce enough heat and retain it. The body temperature in people with this pathology, as a rule, decreases, which leads to increased sensitivity to fluctuations in ambient temperature.

What to do if you are constantly cold?

Ignore this symptom can not be ignored, especially if it appeared recently. It is absolutely necessary to deal with the cause – consult a doctor.

Among the things you can do here and now:

• adjust your sleep and rest schedule;
• exclude from your diet sweets, convenience foods, fast food and other harmful foods;
• quit smoking (at least try to reduce the number of cigarettes);
• introduce physical activity on a daily basis.

If you exercise outside, it’s important to do it properly so you don’t get sick. Read more in the article at the link.