WE all have those friends who have the heating on in the summer.
Some people “feel the cold” more than others – and if that’s you, it’s worth noting there could be a serious cause.
Dr Peter Bidey, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, told Good Housekeeping that feeling very cold occasionally is nothing to worry about.
But if it’s starting to interfere with your daily life – leaving you shivering at your desk or sleeping with an extra blanket in hot weather – it may be abnormal.
If there are other symptoms, such as tingling in the hands and feet, frequent trips to the toilet or weight gain, there’s even more cause for concern.
Dr Bidey said: “If you're feeling really fatigued on top of [being cold], or if you see changes in your hair, get short of breath or dizzy, start having changes in your bowel habits, with a combo of generally feeling really cold, you should probably go see your physician.”
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Here are some of the underlying causes that could be to blame.
1. Thyroid problem
The thyroid is a gland that sits in the neck. It produces hormones that affect heart rate and body temperature, among many other regulatory body functions.
When the thyroid is underactive, and not producing enough key hormones, it can make you sensitive to the cold.
Other symptoms include tiredness, weight gain, muscle aches, dry skin and brittle nails.
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The NHS says: “Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are often similar to those of other conditions, and they usually develop slowly, so you may not notice them for years.
“You should see a GP and ask to be tested for an underactive thyroid if you have symptoms.”
2. Lack of iron
We get iron from our diet, in foods including meat, dark leafy vegetables and pulses.
When someone is low in iron, they may suffer iron deficiency anaemia, which is when your body can’t produce enough healthy red blood cells.
This can leave you with cold hands and feet – but the more obvious signs are shortness of breath and tiredness.
Iron deficiency should be treated by your GP, so book an appointment if you think you have symptoms, which also includes pale skin, weakness and heart palpitations.
3. Medication
Medications are there to make us better, but most come side effects.
Some, such as beta-blockers, can cause cold hands and feet, said Dr Bidey.
He said these drugs work by slowing your heart rate to keep it from pumping too hard and reacting to adrenaline and other stress hormones.
The slowed rate can make you feel cold, and also dizzy, tired and nauseous.
It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any medication side effects you’re having because the dose or drug type may be adjustable.
4. Heart or circulatory condition
Many people suffer with a heart or circulatory condition, but some will be undiagnosed.
Cold feet might be a sign of an overlooked but serious condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD).
It occurs when a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood flow to the legs.
“You’re a little more prone to have a decrease in the blood flow to certain areas,” Dr Bidey said, and this creates coldness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or legs.
The NHS says people can mistake leg pain as part of getting older, but should talk about it with their GP.
One of the most severe complications of PAD is critical limb ischaemia, which is when there is a severe lack of blood in the legs that they are at risk of gangrene.
This would require an urgent visit to the GP.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes affects almost five million Brits in the UK, and many more are at risk.
It can take a little while to get a diagnosis if you are not aware of the symptoms, or if they are subtle.
The key symptoms include more frequent trips to the toilet, excessive thirst and tiredness.
Feeling cold is also a rarer sign of the condition – of which type 2 is the most common.
Dr Bidey said: “When you have diabetes, it can affect your kidneys, your circulatory system and things along those lines, which could be why you're having feelings of cold,”
Kidney problems can trigger anaemia, which comes with cold sensitivity, and diabetes can cause nerve damage, giving you cold feet.
6. Underweight
If you have less body fat – either naturally, due to losing weight or a medical condition – you may feel the cold more.
Aside from this, more concerning complications of being too thin include fertility issues, nutritional deficiencies and weakened bones and immune system.
The NHS considers someone as underweight if they have a BMI below 18.5 – you can measure your BMI using this calculator.
Experts warn that sometimes, someone who complains of being cold may be suffering an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia.
7. Raynaud’s disease
It’s normal for the fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in chilly temperatures.
However, some people have a heightened response to cold weather due to Raynaud’s disease, which causes the small arteries in digits to narrow and restrict blood flow.
People with the disease will notice the colour of their skin becomes paler, usually in the fingers and toes but sometimes the nose, lips, ears and nipples, too.
Skin colour returns to normal once you have warmed up.
The NHS says there are things you can yourself to help Raynaud’s, including wrapping up warm during the winter, exercising (to improve circulation) and eating a balanced diet.
But there are some reasons you should see your GP, including if your symptoms do not improve, affect your daily life, or are only on one side of the body.
8. Panic attack
Some people may not realise they have had panic attacks until a few have occurred.
The experience can be frightening, causing breathlessness, a racing heart, sweating, trembling and dizziness.
A less common symptom of a panic attack is feeling cold, said Dr Gary LeRoy, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
He said: “Sometimes, people that have panic attacks have this feeling of impending doom because their heart is not beating efficiently.
“In its attempt at self-preservation, the body is going to channel the blood to those major organs at the expense of peripheral areas of the body, and that’s where sometimes people get a shivering type of sensation.”
9. Old age
Dr LeRoy said if you’ve ever wondered why your grandma’s heating is always so high, it’s probably because her age is making her colder.
He said: “When we get older, things slow down, and some of the core body temperature tends to drop slowly.”
When we get old, the fatty tissue under the skin thins and blood vessels are less flexible, slowing down blood flow around the body.
While cold sensitivity increases as we age, it mustn't always be disregarded as normal
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Conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease and kidney disease – which can all affect those of older age – can restrict blood flow and lower body temperature.
If you’re cold all the time and also tired, dizzy or have other unusual symptoms, it’s worth seeing a doctor.
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