The reason some people always feel cold

Many people often feel cold in their hands, feet, or even their entire body. The causes can be common, but in some cases, they may signal a health concern.

Natural Cold Sensation

In the absence of any medical reasons, some people tend to feel colder than others because they have a lower muscle mass relative to their body surface area. Muscles generate heat, and if you have low muscle mass, your body tends to conserve heat by reducing blood flow to the extremities. This can make your hands and feet, and possibly your entire body, feel cold.

Women and older adults with lower muscle mass are likely to feel colder than others.

Some people feel colder because they have lower muscle mass relative to their body surface area.

Lack of Sleep

Your body’s sleep cycle is regulated by your circadian rhythm. This internal schedule helps your body understand when to sleep and when to wake up. Both internal and external signals, such as light, temperature, and hormones, inform your body what to do.

The circadian rhythm causes body temperature to drop during sleep. If you are awake when your body thinks you should be asleep, you may feel colder than usual.

In other words, you may feel colder during the day because you are so fatigued that your body thinks it’s time to sleep.

Poor Circulation

Your circulatory system helps transport blood throughout the body. Blood vessels can constrict (limiting blood flow) or dilate (increasing blood flow). If blood flow is restricted to certain parts of the body—often the hands and feet—those areas will feel cold.

There are various reasons for poor circulation, including smoking and obesity. To improve this issue, you can try to implement some basics like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and reducing smoking. You may also want to consult a doctor to determine if poor circulation is related to other health conditions.

Rapid Weight Loss

Some scientists suggest that rapid weight loss can make you feel colder. There are two reasons behind this. First, subcutaneous fat acts as an insulating layer against the cold and helps retain heat. When you lose weight, you may lose some of this fat, and you will also lose some heat retention. Second, if you suddenly reduce your calorie intake, your body’s metabolism will slow down to conserve energy, which may cause you to feel cold more frequently.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 keeps your nervous system functioning optimally and helps your body produce DNA and RNA. This vitamin is found in many foods, including tuna, salmon, beef, milk, and cheese.

Some people are at higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, such as vegetarians. Others include adults over 50, those with pernicious anemia, those who have recently undergone gastrointestinal surgery, and those with digestive disorders.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, cold sensation, and tingling or numbness (especially in the hands or feet).

Hypothyroidism

Your thyroid is a gland that produces hormones affecting how your body uses energy. An underactive thyroid means it does not produce enough hormones to meet the body’s needs.

Hypothyroidism can be caused by various health conditions and may also result from certain treatments (such as surgery and radiation). You may be at higher risk for hypothyroidism if you are a woman over 60, have had thyroid problems in the past, or have certain underlying health conditions (such as type 1 diabetes or lupus).

Anemia

Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when you do not have enough healthy red blood cells to circulate oxygen throughout the body, and there are many forms of anemia. Along with fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, and other symptoms, anemia can cause cold hands and feet. The risk of this condition is higher if you are pregnant, have heavy menstrual periods, or lack certain nutrients (such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12).

Vascular Disorders

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) results from blood vessels narrowing or becoming blocked, preventing blood from flowing from the heart to other organs. PAD affects the legs or arms. Those at high risk for this condition often include smokers, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or those over 60.

Another condition related to cold sensations is Raynaud’s syndrome, a rare vascular disorder that often affects the fingers and toes. Family history or living in a cold climate can increase your risk.

Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin—a hormone that allows your body to use glucose for energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively. Cold sensations, numbness, or tingling, especially in the feet or hands, are symptoms associated with diabetes.

What to Do If You Always Feel Cold?

You should seek advice from a doctor if you have any health concerns related to this condition. If you are looking for other ways to keep warm while waiting, there are several things you can do:

Exercise: Moving around can help warm you up. Regular exercise can improve circulation and help your body stay warmer in the long run.