What disease is associated with coldness? Exploring the connection between conditions and low temperatures

September 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Chronic coldness can often be a perplexing and uncomfortable symptom, with studies showing a significant link between low temperatures and certain health risks. This guide explores the medical conditions, both common and rare, that can help answer the question: What disease is associated with coldness?

Quick Summary

Several diseases can cause an abnormal sensitivity to cold, including hypothyroidism, anemia, and circulatory disorders like Raynaud's phenomenon and peripheral artery disease. These conditions disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature or transport adequate blood flow to the extremities, leading to a constant feeling of being cold.

Key Points

Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland slows metabolism, causing your body to produce less heat and making you feel cold.
Anemia: A lack of healthy red blood cells reduces oxygen transport throughout the body, leading to cold hands and feet.
Raynaud's Phenomenon: This condition causes blood vessels in the fingers and toes to temporarily constrict in cold or stressful situations.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Plaque buildup in the arteries restricts blood flow to the limbs, resulting in one or both legs feeling colder.
Seek Medical Advice: If constant coldness is accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, numbness, or weight changes, it's time to see a doctor.
Addressing the Root Cause: The treatment for cold intolerance depends on the underlying condition, which a medical professional can help diagnose.

Understanding Cold Intolerance

Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to a cold environment or cold temperatures. While some people naturally feel colder than others, chronic and unusual coldness can signal an underlying health issue. The body has several mechanisms for regulating temperature, including the endocrine system (hormones), the circulatory system (blood flow), and the central nervous system. When one of these systems is disrupted, it can lead to constant feelings of coldness.

Hypothyroidism

One of the most commonly cited causes of cold sensitivity is an underactive thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism. The thyroid, a small gland in your neck, is responsible for producing hormones that regulate your metabolism. When the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, your body's metabolic rate slows down, causing it to generate less heat.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism often develop slowly over time and can include:

Fatigue and sluggishness
Unexplained weight gain
Dry skin and thinning hair
Constipation
Joint and muscle pain
Depression or other mood changes

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosing hypothyroidism involves a simple blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels. Treatment typically involves taking a synthetic thyroid hormone medication, such as levothyroxine, to supplement the hormones your body is not producing. With proper treatment, many people find their cold intolerance and other symptoms significantly improve.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition where your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. When your body doesn't receive enough oxygen, it can lead to various symptoms, including feeling perpetually cold, especially in your hands and feet.

Types and causes of anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia: The most common type, occurring when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells. Causes include a poor diet, blood loss, or the inability to absorb iron properly.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia: This can occur when the body lacks sufficient vitamin B12, which is essential for producing red blood cells. It often affects vegetarians and vegans, or those with absorption issues.

Circulatory problems: Raynaud's Phenomenon and PAD

Several circulatory issues can restrict blood flow to your extremities, causing them to feel cold and numb. These conditions involve narrowed or spasming blood vessels.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud's is a condition where smaller arteries, typically in the fingers and toes, spasm in response to cold temperatures or stress. These spasms temporarily restrict blood flow, causing the skin to turn white or blue before returning to normal with a throbbing, red flush. It is more common in women and those living in colder climates.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD is a common circulatory issue where plaque buildup narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the limbs. This can cause one leg or foot to feel noticeably colder than the other and may be accompanied by pain, numbness, or weakness. Severe cases can pose serious health risks and require medical attention.

Comparison of Cold-Related Conditions


Condition	Primary Cause	Main Affected Area	Key Additional Symptoms	How Cold Affects It
Hypothyroidism	Underactive thyroid gland	Whole body	Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin	Causes a consistently slow metabolism and lower body temp.
Anemia	Low red blood cell count	Hands, feet, and whole body	Weakness, fatigue, pale skin	Reduces oxygen delivery, hindering the body's ability to warm itself.
Raynaud's Phenomenon	Blood vessel spasms	Fingers, toes, ears, nose	Color changes (white/blue), numbness, tingling	Triggers temporary and painful narrowing of blood vessels in response to cold.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)	Narrowed arteries (plaque buildup)	Legs, feet	Leg pain, numbness, weakness	Restricts blood flow to the limbs, causing chronic coldness.
Anorexia Nervosa	Extreme calorie restriction	Whole body	Significant weight loss, fatigue	Lack of body fat and nutrition inhibits the body's heat production.

Other potential factors

Beyond these specific diseases, several other conditions and circumstances can cause or contribute to a persistent feeling of coldness:

Low body weight/body fat: Insufficient body fat can reduce the body's insulation, making it harder to stay warm.
Diabetes: Poorly managed diabetes can lead to kidney issues and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which can cause cold sensations in the extremities.
Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like lupus or scleroderma can be associated with Raynaud's phenomenon, where the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue.
Certain medications: Some drugs, such as beta-blockers used for high blood pressure, can cause cold hands and feet as a side effect.
Nutritional deficiencies: Beyond iron and B12, dehydration can affect circulation and make you feel cold.

When to see a doctor

While occasional coldness is normal, chronic or severe cold intolerance warrants a medical evaluation. You should consult a healthcare professional if your cold sensitivity is accompanied by other symptoms such as:

Persistent fatigue
Unexplained weight changes
Skin discoloration in your extremities
Numbness, tingling, or weakness
Joint or muscle pain

By addressing the root cause, you can effectively manage the symptoms and find relief. It is crucial not to self-diagnose and to seek professional medical advice for proper evaluation and treatment.

Conclusion: Taking Your Coldness Seriously

Feeling cold all the time is more than just a minor annoyance; it is a signal that something may be out of balance in your body. From easily managed conditions like anemia and hypothyroidism to more complex issues like circulatory diseases, a healthcare professional can help you uncover the cause. Taking steps to investigate this symptom can lead to a diagnosis and treatment plan that significantly improves your quality of life. For more information on general health and wellness, consult the World Health Organization for guidance and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two of the most common medical conditions associated with both coldness and tiredness are hypothyroidism and anemia. Hypothyroidism affects metabolism and energy levels, while anemia reduces the body's oxygen-carrying capacity, causing fatigue.

Yes, poor circulation is a major cause of chronic coldness, particularly in the hands and feet. Conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Raynaud's phenomenon both restrict blood flow to the extremities, leading to cold sensations.

It can be, but not always. While it can be caused by minor issues like nutritional deficiencies or low body weight, it can also be a symptom of more serious, treatable conditions like hypothyroidism, kidney disease, or circulatory problems. A doctor can determine the cause.

Yes, deficiencies in certain vitamins, most notably iron and vitamin B12, can lead to anemia, which often presents with symptoms of cold intolerance. Iron is essential for red blood cell production, while B12 also plays a role.

Diagnosis typically begins with a physical examination and a review of your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may order blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or a TSH test to evaluate thyroid function, to pinpoint the underlying cause.

Yes. Anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder, often leads to a dangerously low body weight and a lack of insulating body fat. This can disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature, causing a constant sensation of coldness.

Managing cold intolerance involves treating the underlying medical condition. This could include medication for hypothyroidism, dietary changes or supplements for anemia, or lifestyle adjustments to improve circulation. Your doctor will provide a specific treatment plan.