Is there a scientific reason that some people feel habitually cold?
-asks Heather B. from Santa Rosa, CA
It’s true some people are always cold. They sleep under five comforters in the winter and always carry an extra sweater on the hottest summer days (hey, there’s always the risk of an over-zealous air conditioner!). Does this mean there’s something medically wrong with these people? Probably not—although there is a condition called severe cold intolerance, it’s rare and unlikely to be the problem.
Instead, some studies suggest that simply changing your lifestyle could help. Eating better, exercising more, and reducing stress are a few initial steps that could cut the cold.
The human body works in different ways to regulate temperature. For example, without moving at all, your muscles produce up to 25 percent of your body’s normal temperature. Muscles are always slightly contracted—a state called “muscle tone.” This partly explains the recommendation to exercise more: the more muscle mass you build, the more tone you have, and the more heat your body produces at rest. Internal organs, like your heart, liver, and kidneys are another major source of heat. They’re continuously working and, as a byproduct of that work, creating heat. The liver, for instance, is responsible for up to 20 percent of your body’s heat—so be good to your liver and put down that fifth beer!
All of this involuntary temperature regulation is orchestrated by the brain. Acting as an internal thermostat is one of the many jobs of the hypothalamus, an area at the base of the brain. When your body gets too hot, the hypothalamus turns on the AC—blood vessels near the surface of your skin open up to release the heat (sometimes making you flushed) and you start sweating. When your body gets too cold, the hypothalamus shuts off the AC and seals the windows. Small blood vessels close up to conserve heat, making your hands, nose and toes feel very cold. And if too much heat is lost, your brain tells your muscles to spasm into a shiver, upping the internal production of heat by increasing muscle tone.
But for the die-hard hypochondriac, that ever-present chill could potentially be a symptom of various syndromes and diseases. The two that would most likely warrant a check-in with the doctor are Raynaud’s disease and hypothyroidism.
Raynaud’s disease causes extremities, like fingers and toes, to turn blue in response to the cold or to emotional stress. This is usually accompanied by some pain or numbness in the hands, and when blood flow does return, the area usually gets red and tingles or throbs. It’s a rare disorder that affects more women than men. But if you think you have it, you may want to see a rheumatologist, since some cases develop into arthritic disease.
Another disorder that can cause cold intolerance is hypothyroidism, which happens when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormones that control metabolism. Hypothyroidism can cause a person to gain weight, feel tired, sluggish or weak, and often also feel cold. Luckily, it can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, and medications to correct the problem are readily available.
So although most people’s sensitivity to the cold can be easily controlled with a few warmer articles of clothing, it’s always best to check with a doctor if you think it could be something more serious.
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Got a question for us? ASK!
My Mom has Raynaud’s disease. I will tell her to read this. Yay.
Melinda, August 16, 2006 at 4:58 pmHi, I am writing in response to your article regarding people who feel habitually cold. I have hypothyroidism which is corrected with thyroxine. However, this has done nothing to alleviate “feeling cold” and once I feel cold I can be reduced to total body shivering very quickly. My finger tips and entire thumbs go completely numb but do not turn blue. They tingle but are not what I would call painfull. Is there anything else I can do to prevent feeling the cold as much as I do ?
Anna, March 21, 2007 at 1:41 pmHi there, I can’t bear being in a AC room for more than 15 minutes. After that, I start feeling very cold and this grows to be unbearable in the next few minutes. So, any one think, I have Hypothyroidism?
Naureen, May 5, 2007 at 9:49 amMy husband thinks I am crazy. I am always cold. My hands, arms, feet and neck. If it is not 100+ degrees I am cold. Is there something I should ask my doctor about for this? In the last couple years it seems that this has changed. Can you provide some advice.
Mona Clifton, August 6, 2007 at 6:19 pmThank you
Hi, thanks for the article. I didn’t realize muscles could keep you warm and more comfortable. I was in a wreck several years ago and haven’t regained my strength. I am also under a lot of stress-still trying to jump as high or higher than my fellow man. I will try “Eating better, exercising more, and reducing stress” as you say and see what happens,and take my vitamins but must I be on the run every second?
Jacqueline, March 28, 2008 at 9:49 pmGosh! that was interesting, thank you.
Fran, November 20, 2008 at 6:33 pmI am sitting in ‘the office’, and 5 mins. is enough for me, and yet my husband can sit all day, all be it wrapped up well.
I am working hard outside with animals no problem, yet stop still for a while…. problem. Even in summer when the temperatures are high I can come in to this old house (built against the heat) and in a short time brrrrrrrrr.
Sometimes I can only get warm again if I stay in a hot bath for ages. Not very helpful. The worst is not being able to sleep for cold feet. Definiatly wear bed socks….
For anyone like me who works on a farm I have found that wearing silk, yes I can see a few smiles, but silk long sleeved vest with a shirt on top and then wool or these light weight polar zip up tops polars works a treat. Silk leggings and socks and gloves are all available. Wear the gloves under a woolen pair, and then under a large sized rubber glove. This really works. Same goes for the wellies get a size that leaves room for a couple of socks. Wellies are always cold not like the ski boot type of foot covering. However there is not much you can do about this and when squelching about in mud, say no more. Pay more for this item the, light tall wellies for ladiesand not the heavy boots which can cause back ache.
These ski suits are great, it is just that when you get hot, well you cannot just take a layer of clothing off that easily :)
Do not forget the hat! that will prevent heat loss. If you hate hats, well I was ever so surprised at a friend one day who seemed to be pulling her hair out! She was pulling off a wig, her own lovely hair all shining and clean underneath. She told me it kept her warm, hair clean, with the bonus being that horses do not grab you by your hair, but for some reason they like pulling or tipping off hats. Not to mention she did look very lovely with bouncing auburn curls.
Land’s end do a goose down sleeveless top (forgotten what you call them) It is light with poppers, and easy to take off and put back on when you start getting cold again. I was a bit miffed when I found this treat to myself only had 72% down, the rest feathers. It is on the mean side when it comes to the down/feathers, and your finger and thumb can feel nothing but nylon between them.
I certainly have stress, try eating well when time permits, but have to agree with what Jacqueline says there is a limit to all this bouncing about bit. Well I have to bounce off to bed.
Mona warm your hands on his back, though they are usually sneaky and have their Tshirts well tucked into the trousers. They can be trained just ignore all protests! Does take a out 3 months
or so and there will be a “o.k. just keep your hands stilll DO NOT move your hands.” As if you would think of such cruelty. :)
to naureen, no you probably dont. i have hypothyroidism, and you are going to have way more symptoms than not being able to tolerate AC. my symptoms were gaining a couple pounds and extremely tired no matter how much sleep. also if you’re tired you might be iron defficient.
sophie, December 15, 2008 at 8:14 pmim 15 and ive been on the thyroid medication levothyroxine, and it doesnt do anything for my coldness! my hands and feet are always freezing. i am wearing ugg boots and mittens right now, still cold. might i have reynaud’s? im so sick of being cold in my house’s 68 degrees. and at school too.
i am always feeling cold
thomas kitching, December 6, 2009 at 8:49 ami feel cold internally, i’ve done blood test, malaria and typhoid were diagonied and i’ve been treated. i still feel it. what i do now is as follows:
adamson kudirat, December 31, 2009 at 1:36 ambath with warm water
rub my body with rub
drink cold water
or what else can i do
i feel cold internally, I’ve done blood test, malaria and typhoid were diagonised and i’ve been treated. i still feel it. what i do now is as follows:
adamson kudirat, December 31, 2009 at 1:39 ambath with warm water
rub my body with rub
drink warm water
or what else can i do
my mother and other adults are always freezing, even indoors, yet im never as cold although i wear less clothing than them. i guess this is because children dont get cold as easily.
JWS, February 18, 2010 at 9:51 ami always feel cold even in summer also i cant tolerate the AC and the problem is also when i eat in summer icecream i start to feel cold
nadine, June 9, 2010 at 6:48 pm