Anyone else really cold?

nxd10
nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
I am freezing all the time. I can feel the air is warm. I am dressed in warm clothes. I am COLD. Fingers and toes feel cold to the touch. I am inside in front of a fireplace wearing a sweater, flannel shirt, jeans, socks, slippers and a hat.

I don't have an eating disorder (really - I've been on here a long time and eat the calories I'm supposed to, log my exercise, and eat those calories back) and am well within a healthy bmi (21). When I was in high school and college - a gazillion years ago - I was this weight and also always cold.

Any suggestions? Fat seems to help - I just ate some peanut butter and can feel myself warming up. Baths help too - they can warm me up for hours. Anything else?
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Replies

  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    edited December 2014
    When was the last time you saw your PCP? Last time you had routine blood testing?

    When someone says they are cold, the first thought that comes to mind is they might have low iron (anemia). I would give your PCP a call and have them send you for lab work.

    ETA: Another thought is poor circulation since you mentioned your fingers and toes are cold to the touch.
  • zephtalah
    zephtalah Posts: 327 Member
    Low iron could definitely cause that as could thyroid issues. Couldn't hurt to get some blood work done just to rule out any potential issues.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Smaller people (Generally women) are more sensitive to temperature changes. Bundle up more and stay away from drafty areas of your house.
  • myfitnesspale3
    myfitnesspale3 Posts: 276 Member
    Sounds normal.

    More alcohol and more activity will make you warmer.

    Adding a humidifier might decrease sweat cooling.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Sounds normal.

    More alcohol and more activity will make you warmer.

    Adding a humidifier might decrease sweat cooling.

    Uh… What?
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    I'm always cold too
  • JayRuby84
    JayRuby84 Posts: 557 Member
    Have you lost a lot of weight recently? When we're less fluffy it's natural to get cold more easily. You don't have a lot of body fat. But if you are concerned about it and think you might have an issue you could check in with your doctor to see what he/she thinks. Hopefully it's nothing and you just need to bundle up next to a fire/ heater. :)
  • I'm always cold. Turns out my circulation is awful.
    I had a pulmonary embolism at the end of last month and nearly died.
    Not trying to scare you, but I really would urge you to go to a doctor.
  • JayRuby84
    JayRuby84 Posts: 557 Member
    heanbean92 wrote: »
    I'm always cold. Turns out my circulation is awful.
    I had a pulmonary embolism at the end of last month and nearly died.
    Not trying to scare you, but I really would urge you to go to a doctor.

    ^Glad to know you are okay. That's scary.

  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Yes me... I'm always cold too
  • JayRuby84 wrote: »

    ^Glad to know you are okay. That's scary.

    Thank you! People associate PEs with the elderly, obese and sedentary. I am 22, a healthy weight and take regular exercise. My only risk factor was the fact that I smoked (I have since stopped!).

    Now I'm determined to raise awareness.
  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    I went to my doctor about always being cold, he said it was normal for a person who has lost as much as I have to get super cold.
  • I went to my doctor about always being cold, he said it was normal for a person who has lost as much as I have to get super cold.

    The comparison of your clothes in your profile picture really does prove how much weight you've lost! Fantastic job! :)
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Just to add...I've always been cold for as long as I can remember... even before I lost weight and was 45lbs heavier I was still always cold. Blood tests are all normal, no anemia. I guess I'm just doomed for a life in cozy big warm oversized sweaters, scarves, tights, boots and gloves :D. Could b worse haha
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    Have you been checked out by your doctor for anemia? My sil, the nurse, keeps asking me. I don't have anemia - they keep their house as 65 degrees!

    Sometimes, if I have worked out, sweat a bunch and not taken a shower, I'm cold at home. If I take a shower, that helps get rid of the chill. If I'm too lazy to do that, wrapping up in a blanket works, sort of, but the shower is better.
  • annette_15 wrote: »
    Just to add...I've always been cold for as long as I can remember... even before I lost weight and was 45lbs heavier I was still always cold. Blood tests are all normal, no anemia. I guess I'm just doomed for a life in cozy big warm oversized sweaters, scarves, tights, boots and gloves :D. Could b worse haha

    I'm so glad you went to the doctor about it! I know it's winter, but since my health scare I've been telling people to go to the doctor for everything! And you're so right, cosy clothes are soooo comfortable. :D

  • LINIA
    LINIA Posts: 1,159 Member
    ALL of my testing comes back fine, in fact Dr was quite impressed with my Folate panel...but everything is FINE that can be tested! Like you, I'm freezing ALL the time. i wear layers, sleep with an electric heating pad on at a low setting and drink hot beverages.
    Many people have suggested that i test for this or test for that...however i've lived chilly for so many years that i've accepted this as just "me". At one time i thought it was connected to weight, but now I don't--others smaller and skinnier are just fine when i'm shivering! Good Luck!!!
  • laineybz
    laineybz Posts: 704 Member
    My hands are always cold too. My feet are occasionally but more so my hands. I had blood tests a while back and was told they were all normal. My mum tells me it's because i lost my blubber lol.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Always cold too.
  • al142
    al142 Posts: 35 Member
    This time of year I drink lots of hot drinks. They make me warm for 20 minutes or so. A hot bath works too but there are only so many of those you can legitimately take a day.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    First get your thyroid and your iron checked, see what your doctor says. I'm always cold and my thyroid is half dead. Taking my meds helps, but it's not a miracle. I gotta dress for it.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    edited December 2014
    Time for my checkup next month, so I will ask. Thank you. My circulation IS lousy and always has been. And my thermometer is 68. But a thyroid and iron check wouldn't hurt.
  • AmigaMaria001
    AmigaMaria001 Posts: 489 Member
    Oh my gosh... that is the worst thing about having lost all this weight! I am freezing all the darn time. I even had to buy an electric throw blanket to put over me while I'm watching TV or on the computer. I just canNOT get warm. I wonder if this "Coldness" will even go away and I'll get use to being thin?
  • MadMaddy2014
    MadMaddy2014 Posts: 18 Member
    I have been cold a lot also, recently and it is not that cold here. We have temp set at 70. I have been wearing coats on top of my sweat shirts. I also have a doctor's appointment next month with my oncologist, but maybe I will call my PCP.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    edited December 2014
    Thank you! People associate PEs with the elderly, obese and sedentary. I am 22, a healthy weight and take regular exercise. My only risk factor was the fact that I smoked (I have since stopped!).

    Now I'm determined to raise awareness.

    Yes, you're right! Blood clots are not just for the elderly, obese, and sedentary. Even tennis superstar Serena Williams almost died from a PE a few years ago.

    In fact, everyone I know that's had a PE (or other blood clot) has been a healthy and relatively young (under 40). I have several friends who have had them and survived. Sadly, one of my colleagues died suddenly from one at 38. He was athletic and healthy, and had absolutely no warning signs.

    A low resting heart rate is another risk factor for PEs, and you see that often in young, healthy, physically fit people.

    As far as being cold all the time -- I totally am! I've had bloodwork done to test iron levels, thyroid function, and a few other things. It turns out I have Raynaud's and a tendency for pernio/chillblains. The doctor's have said that it's partly genetic, partly my age (early 40's), partly that I'm female, and partly my low body fat. My toes are always like ice. The doctors have also said that I'm at low risk for blood clots because my blood is very thin and does not coagulate easily. So, I wouldn't say that being cold all the time means you're automatically at higher risk of PE or other blood clots.

    I hope you find an answer!
  • you can drink hot tea all day long!
  • NoelFigart1
    NoelFigart1 Posts: 1,276 Member
    Okay, just so no-one gets themselves hospitalized for hypothermia.

    Alcohol does not make you warmer. It is, in fact, dangerous if you are actually in a situation where your body temperature is dropping.

    Alcohol is a vasodialtor (expands blood vessels). That's why your extremities FEEL warmer after a drink. If your body temp is okay and your feet are cold, yes, a drink can make you feel more comfortable.

    If your CORE temperature is dropping, one of the reasons your hands and feet are so cold is vasoconstriction response. Your body loses most of its heat from the head and extremities. Your body, in an attempt to keep the core temperature up, constricts blood movement to those spots to keep the blood from cooling MORE and circulating to the core, thus reducing your blood temperature more.

    So, to make a long story short: If you're in a properly heated area and you're FEELING cold, but you have a body temperature of above 98F, yeah, a drink is safe and your hands and feet will feel warmer.

    If you're out in the cold or something and starting to shiver, you should know your first aid for hypothermia.
  • Alassonde
    Alassonde Posts: 228 Member
    Been cold my whole life. My co-workers always joke that the air conditioning must be broken if I've had to take off my 2nd sweater. I'm sitting in my office right now with long underwear and a sweater on, with a space heater pointed right at my feet. I've had all the tests done, general consensus is it's just normal for me.
  • TomZot
    TomZot Posts: 165 Member
    edited December 2014
    Same here. always cold since losing weight. Had bloodwork done this year and brought it up to my PCP, she ran the panel and checked. No issues, except I lost 63 lbs.

    Oh well...had to upgrade the wardrobe anyway.

    If that's the worst thing to come out of this (and it is so far) I'll take it.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    I am, actually. I figured it was the 66 pounds of fat I've lost, but now I feel like I need a doctor visit to be on the safe side.
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