To ALWAYS be cold

[Readingthestars]

Hi

just to start- I am NOT trying to pretend this is normal because I know it’s not really, I was just wondering if anyone else is like this?

im ALWAYS cold, no matter what. It’s awful. I wear thermals, layers, specific heatwarming all body layers etc etc. I’ve tried dressing gowns, heated blankets, hot water bottles, electric blankets for my bed, drinking hot drinks, wearing my jacket indoors etc etc. no matter what, I’m always cold. Our heating is generally set to around 22 all the time which everyone else is happy with but I’m always bloody freezing. Obviously I can’t do this as it would be unfair on everyone else, but I ideally need it up to 30. When I’m home alone I have it at 30 (the highest on our hearing) the entire time and I only feel a little chilly so it’s much more pleasant but if I could have it higher I probably would tbh.

at work I have my own room I work in (just me) and I have the heating at 30 the entire time. It’s one of those heating/air con combination units so you actually feel the hot air blast out of the unit and I sit directly under it, but even then I still feel a bit chilly until I’ve been under it for a while.

I don’t know why I’m like this! I’ve been to the GP, had bloods etc and I’m healthy. I’m not malnourished or severely underweight, my BMI is 21 and always has been. I play sports regularly and have good fitness. I’m just always blood freezing! it’s definitely getting worse too. I still feel it to an extent in summer but obviously winter is much much worse.

is anyone else like this?

Yes me! Always always cold, so much sometimes it’s feels like it physically hurts! No idea why, like you I had blood tests and all was fine so gp wasn’t bothered after that. I dream about going to live on the equator 😂

What do you wear when you do sport and do you get hot then?

I used to be them started cold dipping, it’s life changing!

Even today in UK I could walk outside in shorts, t shirt and jumper and be warm! Even if I start to get cold I can generally do a bit of Breathe work and warm myself up.

Honestly, research cold exposure, cold therapy, etc. So many benefits and so nice now that I don’t have to carry with me so many extra layers of clothes!

Yep and often my legs and bum feel icy to the touch (even when I was in a sauna). I think I have crap circulation. Even in summer my feet are like blocks of ice.

How old are you OP and have you gone through the menopause? I know several post menopausal women who are extremely susceptible to the cold.

What did the doctor actually test for? I’d go back and see how thorough they were.

Maybe try to put on a bit of weight. A bit more fat may help, up your BMI to 22/23, still in the healthy range and see if it helps.

Yes, that was going to be my question. All your descriptions are about being sedentary indoors, OP — what about when you’re exercising?

Google Raynaud's. I have this. Always cold!

I know you’ve mentioned bloods but are you sure you’re not a bit anaemic, or have low iron stores, even if they’re within the “normal” range?

The only time I have been absolutely unable to get warm was when I was very anaemic.

Are you sure you're not anaemic? Some people struggle even if their bloods show as "normal".

Do you walk a lot or go from a warm car to indoors. I walk dogs and a brisk walk when it's cold definitely warms you up so that when you go inside the temperature doesn't seem as cold.

To need the heating at 30 degrees is extreme. I would go back to the Dr. and ask for further tests/ referral. Poor circulation as you get older isn't good.

I’m 25 so not menopausal, I’ve always been like this but it’s got worse in the last few years. I walk my dogs and do exercise regularly but it makes me sweaty and clammy rather than hot- I still feel freezing cold just sweaty and a bit weird with it. Tbh I’m just used to it now because I’ve never really felt properly warm. Not sure if it’s related but my normal body temperature when I’m fit and well is barely above 35 anyway, any time it’s been measured it’s usually 35.4 or around that. Think I’m just made of ice inside me or something haha

What exercise do you do regularly? HIIT? Swimming? Spinning? Kettle bells? What do you wear then and how hot do you get?

Do you eat meat?

I also have severe raynaud's and take nifedipine for it. Gamechanger if this is your issue. I found out that this drug might help me through mumsnet strangely enough.

I always say I’m like a lizard as I can’t control my body temp. I am either freezing or if I do exercise I go bright red and boiling in the face.
I can be sat practically on top of a heater and the minute I switch it off I’m freezing again, it’s like body can’t retain the heat. Even in the summer I like to wear socks and be covered up.
I am fat and suffer from anaemia.

I have raynaud's and am always cold. My body temp is usually around 36. I can't take the meds for it due to another condition.

Do your fingers and toes get very cold and change colour? Raynauds can also affect your ears, nose and nipples. My ears are dreadful and I get lots of attacks. It can also be triggered by changing temperatures, you don't necessarily need to be very cold.

Has your thyroid been checked?

What’s your iron / ferritin level
like? I can never get warm when my levels are low. Many gps will say it’s normal from
tests, but anything under 30 can cause those symptoms

Did your bloods include thyroid levels?

I am always cold. I bought an electric blanket (slumberland fur one). I have it on 6 while working from home over my lap. It has made a massive difference. I think I’ve saved the money back in my heating bill within 6 weeks.

I also wear furry slippers which go to mid leg - shoe zone £14.99. They have also made a huge difference. I was about to buy some Ugg boots to wear indoors and a Friend recommended the slippers. They go through the wash well too.

I do wear a thin base layer.

I hate being so cold but I’ve always been this way. When I exercise I get hot but don’t sweat very much, even running i don’t sweat excessively. I rarely sweat when not exercising not sure if that’s relevant.

I have lost 13 stone and I've gone from never feeling the cold not even owning a coat to now feeling the cold so badly it hurts
No reason either
I feel your pain it's miserable

No idea of it's been mentioned but underactive thyroid?

Are you a healthy weight? If you're underweight it might be that.

That’ll likely be your Thyroid! I used to be cold all the time (and tired etc) but it was an under-active thyroid. I tested normal under NHS guidelines but actually getting meds (privately) and getting my TSH down below 2, I’m totally cured and feel warm on the inside and can tolerate cold (and have energy etc).

Did one of those blood tests check your thyroid? And/or iron levels? I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid when I was 14, before that one of the symptoms was being cold all the time. During summer I wore two long sleeve tops and a hoodie, whilst my friend's were in their crop tops and shorts.