What illness makes you feel cold all the time?

September 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Chronic cold sensitivity can significantly impact daily life, but it is not a condition in itself; it's a symptom of an underlying medical issue. A common question that arises is, "What illness makes you feel cold all the time?" This persistent feeling can be caused by various health problems, ranging from hormonal imbalances to circulatory issues.

Quick Summary

Several medical conditions can cause a constant sensation of cold, including an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), a shortage of red blood cells (anemia), and circulatory disorders like Raynaud's phenomenon. Poor blood flow and metabolism dysfunction prevent the body from distributing heat effectively, resulting in persistent coldness, often accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue and weakness.

Key Points

Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid can slow down your metabolism, leading to a constant feeling of coldness and often includes fatigue and weight gain.
Anemia: A lack of healthy red blood cells means less oxygen is transported throughout the body, causing chills, especially in the hands and feet.
Poor Circulation: Conditions like Raynaud's phenomenon and peripheral artery disease can restrict blood flow to the extremities, making them feel perpetually cold.
Low Body Weight: Insufficient body fat, which acts as insulation, can increase sensitivity to cold temperatures.
Diabetes: Poorly controlled blood sugar can lead to circulation problems and nerve damage that causes a cold sensation, particularly in the feet.
When to See a Doctor: It is important to consult a healthcare professional for persistent cold sensitivity, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or numbness.

Understanding Cold Intolerance

Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to a cold environment or temperature. While some individuals naturally run colder than others, chronic coldness that seems disproportionate to the environment can be a sign of an underlying health problem. Your body's temperature is regulated by a complex system involving the hypothalamus in your brain, the thyroid gland, blood circulation, and metabolism. A disruption in any of these areas can cause cold intolerance.

Hypothyroidism

One of the most well-known causes of feeling cold all the time is hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are crucial for regulating metabolism, which in turn controls the body's heat production. When metabolism slows down, the body's core temperature can drop, leading to a constant sensation of cold.

Other common symptoms of hypothyroidism often include:

Fatigue and sluggishness
Weight gain
Dry skin and hair
Constipation
Joint and muscle pain
A slowed heart rate

A simple blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) can diagnose this condition, which is often treated with lifelong hormone replacement therapy.

Anemia

Anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. Since red blood cells are essential for distributing oxygen and heat, a shortage can lead to coldness, especially in the hands and feet. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, but other deficiencies, like vitamin B12 or folate, can also cause it.

Additional symptoms of anemia can include:

Unusual fatigue and weakness
Pale or yellowish skin
Shortness of breath
Headaches and dizziness
An irregular heartbeat

Circulatory Problems

If your body has poor blood flow, it can't effectively distribute heat, leading to cold extremities. Conditions that impact blood circulation can be a significant cause of persistent cold sensations.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud's is a condition where the small arteries in your extremities, most often your fingers and toes, go into a temporary spasm. Triggered by cold temperatures or stress, these spasms cause the blood vessels to narrow, severely limiting blood flow. During an attack, affected areas may turn white or blue and feel numb and icy.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD is a condition caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that carry blood to your limbs, particularly your legs. This narrowing restricts blood flow, leading to coldness, numbness, and cramping in the legs and feet. Smoking and diabetes are major risk factors for PAD.

Other Underlying Causes

Several other health issues can contribute to a constant feeling of coldness:

Low Body Weight and Anorexia: A lack of insulating body fat can make you more sensitive to cold temperatures.
Diabetes: Untreated diabetes can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage (neuropathy), which can cause a persistent cold feeling in the feet.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Damaged kidneys can lead to anemia, as they fail to produce enough erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
Fibromyalgia: This chronic pain condition is sometimes associated with heightened sensitivity to temperature changes.
Medication Side Effects: Certain drugs, including some beta-blockers for heart conditions and ADHD medications, can cause cold intolerance.

Comparing Common Causes of Cold Intolerance


Condition	Primary Mechanism	Key Additional Symptoms	Affected Area	Diagnosis Method
Hypothyroidism	Slowed metabolism due to low thyroid hormone.	Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, depression.	Whole body, general cold sensitivity.	Blood test (TSH, T4 levels).
Anemia	Insufficient red blood cells to transport oxygen and heat.	Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness.	Whole body, often more pronounced in extremities.	Blood test (CBC).
Raynaud's Phenomenon	Temporary spasms in small blood vessels.	Discoloration (white/blue) in fingers/toes, numbness.	Fingers, toes, sometimes ears, nose.	Symptom-based and medical history.
Peripheral Artery Disease	Plaque buildup narrows arteries.	Cramping, numbness, leg pain with activity.	Legs, feet, sometimes arms.	Physical exam, imaging tests.
Diabetes	Poor circulation and nerve damage (neuropathy).	Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue.	Often begins in the feet.	Blood glucose tests.

Conclusion: When to Seek Medical Advice

Feeling constantly cold is not something to be ignored, especially if it's a new or worsening symptom accompanied by other signs like fatigue, weight changes, or skin issues. Many of the potential causes are treatable once properly diagnosed, and addressing the root cause is the most effective way to resolve cold intolerance. If you are concerned about your persistent cold sensitivity, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional. For more in-depth medical information on various health conditions, the National Institutes of Health is an authoritative resource: National Institutes of Health (NIH). A doctor can perform a physical examination and order blood tests to determine the underlying issue and create an appropriate treatment plan.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia, a condition where there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen and heat effectively throughout the body. This can cause you to feel persistently cold, especially in your hands and feet.

Yes, feeling cold is a classic symptom of an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland controls your metabolism, and when it's underactive, your body's heat production can decrease, making you more sensitive to cold temperatures.

Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that causes the small blood vessels in your fingers and toes to narrow in response to cold or stress. This reduces blood flow and makes the affected areas feel cold, numb, and often change color.

Yes, poor circulation can make you feel cold, particularly in your hands and feet. When blood flow is restricted, your body cannot distribute heat efficiently, leaving your extremities feeling chilly even when your core body temperature is normal.

Yes, several other conditions can cause cold sensitivity, including diabetes, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease, fibromyalgia, and eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. Some medications can also have this effect.

You should see a doctor if your cold intolerance is a new or worsening symptom, if it's severe, or if it's accompanied by other symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or numbness. A healthcare provider can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Body fat helps to insulate the body and retain heat. Individuals with a low body mass index (BMI) or very little body fat may find they are more sensitive to cold temperatures because they have less insulation.