While some people are more chilly than others, it is completely normal to feel cold when the outside temperature is low, the heating in the house is broken or if you have forgotten your scarf at the office. But being cold all year round, putting on a little wool when everyone is in a T-shirt or having difficulty keeping warm even in summer can indicate a health problem.
Chilliness: what are the symptoms and when to worry?
We must distinguish between a transient feeling of cold linked to a low outside temperature, which dissipates quickly, and a particular sensitivity to cold. We are talking about chilliness when this sensation is almost permanent and persistent even when it is not cold. The person may have chills and tremors, goosebumps, excessive coldness or tingling in the extremities (hands and feet), headache. In some cases, body temperature may drop slightly. When these symptoms are temporary, there is no reason to worry. On the other hand, when they are repeated, or are accompanied by symptoms such as weight gain or loss, hair loss, it is always preferable to consult.
Permanent feeling of cold: what if it was the thyroid?
The thyroid is responsible for controlling many functions in the body (the body’s overall metabolism, heart rate, weight control, mood, transit, etc.). An imbalance in its functioning can therefore be the cause of various symptoms. In the case of hypothyroidism, when thyroid hormones are not sufficiently secreted, we can, for example, observe an imbalance in thermoregulation. As the body’s metabolism slows down, the person feels cold all the time. This symptom is rarely isolated, and it is usually accompanied by weight gain and persistent fatigue. You must make an appointment with the general practitioner and then take a blood test to monitor hormonal production.
I feel cold all the time: what are the other causes?
The causes of a persistent feeling of cold can be very simple to identify. We know, for example, that a person whose BMI is too low, who has deficiencies and whose diet is unbalanced, will have more difficulty warming up due to insufficient body fat. Women, who have lower muscle mass, also feel colder than men.
Among the other causes, vascular and circulatory problems (Raynaud’s disease for example) feature prominently. We can also cite dehydration, fatigue, hypoglycemia, anemia, lack of sleep and even diabetes.
Sources:
- Raynaud’s phenomenon: definition, symptoms and causes, Ameli
- How does our brain encode hot and cold? CNRS
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