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Most people have had that moment where everyone around them seems comfortable, maybe even warm, while they’re quietly reaching for a sweater. The AC is set at a normal temperature.
No one else is shivering. Yet your hands feel cold and your feet never seem to warm up. And usually, people brush it off. They joke about “poor circulation” or simply say, “I’m just someone who gets cold easily.”But that’s exactly why this issue often gets ignored.
Why people rarely think it’s a health issue
Another reason is that temperature sensitivity is often seen as a personality trait rather than a possible health signal. Some people are “always warm,” others are “always cold.”
That’s the common explanation. Friends and family might even tease someone for constantly complaining about the cold. Over time, the person experiencing it starts believing it’s just the way their body is.But sometimes the body is actually trying to say something.A constantly cold feeling can be linked to issues like thyroid imbalance, low iron levels, poor nutrition, or circulation problems. These aren’t rare conditions.
Yet the symptom itself feels too ordinary to connect with a medical cause. So most people don’t think of discussing it with a doctor.Doctors often find these clues only when patients mention other symptoms, fatigue, weight changes, hair loss, or mood shifts. The cold sensitivity was there all along, but it wasn’t seen as important.So the issue stays under the radar.
Sometimes the body gives small signals before bigger problems show up.
Feeling unusually chilly all the time might seem minor, but it can still be the body’s quiet way of asking for attention. And paying attention to those small signals can make a real difference and for this TOI Health connected with Dr. Jyoti Goyal, Director- Critical Care, Yatharth Hospital, Sector 20, Faridabad.
Many people complain about feeling unusually cold even when others around them feel comfortable. What could be the possible reasons behind this?
Dr. Jyoti Goyal: In clinical practice, we frequently observe people that report they feel cold when in the presence of other individuals that around them are feeling warm.
In many cases, this can be attributed to having anemia, and specifically an iron deficiency, where the decrease in hemoglobin concentration results in a decreased delivery of oxygen to tissues leading to a sensation of feeling cold. In addition, a decreased metabolic state due to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) will also cause a decrease in the body's production of heat.
Commonly, reduced circulation, low body weight, or low muscle mass can all create a person that is more susceptible to cold.
Deficiencies in nutrition, chronic disease states, stress, inadequate sleep, and certain medications can also contribute to this phenomenon.
What are some early symptoms people should watch for if their body temperature sensitivity suddenly changes?
Dr. Jyoti Goyal: You should not take sudden changes in sensitivity to cold temperatures lightly. When increased sensitivity is accompanied by chronic fatigue, weakness, paleness of skin, coughing, unexplained weight gain, dryness of skin and hair loss, and signs of numbness or tingling in the extremities, it can sometimes be indicative of an underlying health problem.
In these cases, you should always get evaluated by a doctor.
Are certain groups, such as women or older adults, more likely to experience persistent cold sensitivity? Why?
Dr. Jyoti Goyal: Indeed, specific demographics tend to have higher levels of reports on these subjects. Many women report being more susceptible to developing certain conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, thyroid disease and reduced muscle mass - causes for which can ultimately lead to a greater sensitivity to cold temperatures.In addition, older adults tend to also experience increased incidence due to certain age related factors such as: a basal metabolic rate that is slower than what they may have previously experienced, less subcutaneous fat, and decreased circulatory response time.
Finally, other chronic medical conditions as well as some medications may negatively impact the body’s ability to thermoregulate and also change one's sensitivity toward temperature.
When should someone consider seeing a doctor if they frequently feel cold even at normal room temperatures?
Dr. Jyoti Goyal: It is common for people to occasionally feel warmer or colder depending on the season or surrounding temperature. However, someone who consistently feels unusually cold even in normal conditions should consider consulting a doctor. Basic tests, such as blood work to check hemoglobin levels, thyroid function, and blood sugar, can help identify possible underlying causes. It is important that these diagnostic tests are done in time so that the doctor can diagnose the issue early and begin appropriate treatment if needed.Medical experts consulted This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by: Dr. Jyoti Goyal, Director- Critical Care, Yatharth Hospital, Sector 20, FaridabadInputs were used to explain why feeling cold all the time can be a signal for underlying health issues.
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