What is it called when you get cold too easily?

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reputable health sources, cold intolerance is the medical term for an abnormal sensitivity to cold temperatures. If you find yourself frequently wondering, "what is it called when you get cold too easily?", this authoritative guide will explain the potential reasons behind your sensitivity.

Quick Summary

The condition of feeling cold too easily is known as cold intolerance, and it can be a symptom of an underlying health issue affecting your metabolism, hormones, or circulation. This is especially distinct from normal reactions to cold weather.

Key Points

Cold Intolerance Defined: The medical term for feeling abnormally or excessively cold is cold intolerance, which is a symptom rather than a disease itself.
Hypothyroidism is a Key Culprit: An underactive thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism, is a common metabolic cause of cold intolerance due to a lowered metabolic rate affecting body heat production.
Circulation Plays a Major Role: Conditions like anemia, Raynaud's phenomenon, and peripheral artery disease can all cause cold intolerance by restricting or reducing blood flow, especially to the extremities.
Lifestyle Affects Body Temperature: Low body fat, dehydration, and certain medications can also make an individual more sensitive to cold, highlighting the importance of overall health.
Diagnosis is Necessary: If cold sensitivity is persistent or severe, a healthcare professional can perform tests, such as a blood count and thyroid panel, to diagnose the underlying cause.
Treatment Addresses the Cause: The best way to manage cold intolerance is to treat the underlying condition. For example, iron supplements can help with anemia, and thyroid medication can treat hypothyroidism.

Understanding Cold Intolerance

Cold intolerance is a hypersensitivity to cold temperatures, where an individual feels uncomfortably cold in situations that others find comfortable. This is not the same as simply feeling chilly on a cold day. It involves a more extreme or persistent discomfort, even when bundled in layers or in a mild environment. It's not a standalone disease but rather a symptom that points to a potential underlying condition affecting the body's ability to regulate its own temperature.

Medical Causes Behind Cold Intolerance

Several medical conditions can disrupt the body's thermoregulation, leading to this heightened sensitivity to cold. Understanding these potential causes is the first step toward finding relief.

Hormonal and Metabolic Issues

Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid gland is one of the most common causes of cold intolerance. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, which in turn controls how much energy the body burns to generate heat. When the thyroid produces insufficient hormones, the body's metabolic rate slows down, leading to a drop in body temperature and a feeling of being constantly cold. Other symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin.

Anorexia Nervosa

This eating disorder can cause extreme weight loss, leading to a very low body mass index (BMI). With very little body fat to act as an insulator, the body has difficulty maintaining its core temperature, resulting in severe cold intolerance.

Blood and Circulation Problems

Anemia

Anemia occurs when the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to its tissues. This reduced oxygen supply can affect the body's overall function and metabolism, causing a sensation of coldness, fatigue, and weakness. Iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

This vascular condition causes the smaller arteries that supply blood to the skin to narrow in response to cold or stress. The narrowing restricts blood flow, typically to the fingers and toes, causing them to feel cold, numb, and change color (white, then blue). As circulation returns, the affected areas can turn red and throb or tingle. For a deeper understanding of this condition, you can visit the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD involves the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which reduces blood flow to the limbs. This poor circulation can make the hands and feet feel constantly cold and can be exacerbated by cold temperatures.

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

While underlying medical issues are significant, non-medical factors also play a role in cold sensitivity.

Low Body Fat: As mentioned, a low BMI means less natural insulation for the body. This is a common reason for cold intolerance, particularly in thinner individuals.
Aging: As people get older, changes in blood vessel function and a general decrease in metabolic rate can make them more susceptible to feeling cold.
Dehydration: When dehydrated, your body's circulation becomes less efficient as it works harder to circulate blood. This can result in a drop in temperature, especially in the extremities.
Medications: Certain prescription drugs, including some blood pressure medications and antidepressants, can affect circulation and contribute to feeling colder.

When to Consult a Healthcare Professional

If your cold intolerance is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or numbness, it is wise to see a doctor. They can perform a physical examination and may order tests to check for underlying conditions.

Diagnostic Tests: A complete blood count (CBC) can detect anemia, while a serum TSH and other thyroid hormone level tests can diagnose hypothyroidism. Your doctor will also ask about your medical history and lifestyle to get a comprehensive view of your health.

Comparison of Common Causes

To help differentiate between potential causes, here is a quick comparison of some key characteristics.


Condition	Main Cause	Primary Symptoms	Key Difference
Hypothyroidism	Underactive thyroid	Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance	Slowed metabolism affecting the whole body.
Anemia	Low red blood cells	Fatigue, weakness, cold hands/feet	Insufficient oxygen transport.
Raynaud's	Spasming blood vessels	Numbness, color changes in fingers/toes	Affects extremities in specific episodes.
Anorexia Nervosa	Low body fat	Extreme weight loss, cold intolerance	Lack of insulation due to low body fat.

Conclusion

Cold intolerance is a broad term for getting cold too easily, and it serves as a sign that your body's temperature regulation system may not be functioning optimally. Whether due to metabolic issues like hypothyroidism, circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon, or lifestyle factors like low body fat, identifying the root cause is essential for effective management. By consulting a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and exploring potential treatments and lifestyle adjustments, you can address the issue and feel more comfortable in cooler environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not exactly. While cold intolerance can be related to a lowered body temperature, the term refers more to the subjective feeling of being cold or sensitive to cold environments, rather than a specific temperature measurement. It's a symptom that can point to a number of different causes, and not just a single reading on a thermometer.

You should see a doctor if your cold intolerance is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other unusual symptoms like extreme fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or numbness in your extremities. A professional can help rule out serious medical conditions and identify the cause.

Yes, a poor diet can contribute to cold intolerance. For example, a diet lacking in iron can lead to anemia, which reduces your body's ability to transport oxygen and can make you feel cold. Malnutrition associated with eating disorders can also reduce body fat and slow metabolism.

Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition where small blood vessels, most often in the fingers and toes, spasm in response to cold temperatures or stress. This restricts blood flow and can cause the digits to turn white or blue and feel numb and cold.

While everyone has a slightly different natural body temperature, persistent or extreme cold sensitivity is not typical and can be a sign of an underlying health issue. It is important to distinguish between a personal preference for warmer climates and a medical symptom.

Yes, your metabolism is the process that generates heat in your body. If your metabolic rate is slow due to a condition like hypothyroidism, your body will produce less heat and you will feel colder more easily.

To improve circulation, you can try regular exercise, quitting smoking, and staying hydrated. If you have a diagnosed circulatory issue, your doctor may recommend specific treatments or medications. Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active is also beneficial for overall blood flow.