Why am I always so cold?

[BorntoDillyDally]

I am 52 and neck deep in perimenopause so in theory I should be having hot sweats all the time but these only occur very occasionally and even then it's usually only during summer heatwaves, the remainder of the year I am constantly cold.

I have always been this way but have no idea why. I do have some health issues but not sure they are related or connected to feeling cold. I have suffered with IBS, functional dyspepsia and a general poor digestive system for 3 decades. I have recently discovered that I have endometriosis after suffering from awful periods and decades of anaemia. The anaemia was fixed by iron infusions and a uterine ablation.

I have also recently been diagnosed with ADHD, I am sure that has no significance to my feeling cold but thought I would throw that in just to give a full picture of my health.

Other regular symptoms that I have are feeling tired all the time, post nasal drip and constantly clearing my throat (GP says this is probably due to my functional dyspepsia), aching joints, tinnitus, tingling finger tips at times (and weirdly my lips at times too). I often feel really weak and shaky as though my energy levels have suddenly drained away and a general feeling of malaise.

I have been to the GP so many times regarding all of my issues but they say nothing is wrong and all bloods are 'normal' (that included full blood panel, B12, Vit D, Thyroid etc).

I carry a hot water bottle with me all the time, not only to comfort my IBS and endo belly but to warm me up. It's sunny today and both my dh and dd say they are lovely and warm but my hands are like blocks of ice and I feel cold all over (just warmed myself up with another hot water bottle).

Are there any health issues that I have not thought of which could cause me to feel cold so much of the time.

I should add that the heat and sunshine from the summer months doesn't offer me much relief as it leaves me feeling weak, shaky, racing heart , nauseated and quite dreadful so I end up staying in the shade.

I wish I had an answer! I’m always fucking freezing. Generally in decent health - thyroid fine, B12 and bit D all fine, etc - but stubbornly low ferritin, and always exhausted. Let me know if you find the cure!

How often do you move around?
how much exercise do you get ?
how much water do you drink?
what’s the generals state of your diet?

I’m the same and also have ADHD. When I was a kid I forever had freezing feet. I have poor circulation and low blood pressure which I think contributes. Let’s just say in summer I still wear cardigans all the time and our heating bill is extortionate 😂

I wonder if the low ferritin has something to do with it? Mine was under 5 for 10 years, it's now at 50.

Diet is quite good. Due to my digestive issues I tend to eat freshly prepared and cooked from scratch foods. I do have to avoid my trigger foods but it's mainly ok and I make sure I get enough protein etc.

I only drink water and lots of it throughout the day. Occasional mint tea to warm me up.

I have a dog so walk several miles a day.

I can relate to this, but mine is related to rapid and significant weight loss. I've gone from being someone who is always too warm, to someone who is always cold. It's 22 degrees here today, but the only time I'm warm is out in the sunshine - I've got my cardi on sitting in the office while everyone else is sleeveless! You don't realise how wearing it is being constantly cold until you actually experience it, do you?

Ah, a kindred spirit lol.
My winter mainly involves me turning up the thermostat and dh turning it down (he works outside and is never cold).

I do have lower normal ranges of blood pressure, I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

How much do you eat whenever I diet im freezing

@BorntoDillyDally apologies if I've missed this information in your original post, have you had blood tests for hypothyroidism, coeliac disease and pernicious anaemia?

Sound like Hypothyroidism. Get a private blood test for TSH, T3,T4 and antibodies. GP will likely only test TSH. Test first thing, fasted. If taking anything with biotin, stop for a week before the test. Medichecks, monitor my health etc etc lots of companies offer a finger prick at home test

I’m sure it’s not unrelated. Mine generally hovers around 30 even with heavy supplementation of heme iron, transdermal patches, etc. I also have ADHD & low blood pressure & my hair’s always falling out. It sucks!

I have just been Googling the exact same question! I just cannot get warm.

I take Levothyroxine every day but have done so for 20 years and have annual thyroxine blood tests done, (all normal).

I’m at work currently with the fan heater on full and the door closed.

In the last few weeks I have really noticed that I simply cannot seem to feel warm through. I commented to my son a few weeks ago on exiting a restaurant I was very cold, he noticed me shivering and suggested that I might be coming down with something as it really wasn’t that cold. I didn’t come down with anything.

I’m 53. Have no menopause symptoms but maybe it is one.

Every evening I’m under my electric throw and don’t feel properly warm.

Sorry that I have no advice but I sympathise, OP. And am following with interest.

I've never dieted, I am naturally slim but do eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and snacks.

I have. Colonoscopy with a gastroscope to check for Coeliac (I have also had two blood tests for that over the years). Thyroid blood test all within normal ranges too. B12 also within ranges.

Are you always very tired?
Are you sleeping properly?

Being v tired can make you feel cold for some reason.

I often wonder. My sister has hypothyroidism and parathyroid disease. I am not sure if it runs in families?

I may need to get it retested privately as GP says it's all within range but it doesn't show antibodies.

My hair is awful. I have to wear a hair topper because it's so thin and patchy at the front.

That's me to a T. I am always so cold. Thank goodness for electric throws!

Hey yes it runs in families and more likely if you have other autoimmune conditions unfortunately

@BorntoDillyDally my maternal grandmother and 2 of her sisters had thyroid imbalances. My mum actually diagnosed my hyperthyroidism (as it was initially) when my useless GP refused to test me for it.

So I believe it can run in families.

I go to bed at 10.30 (ish) and get up around 7.30. I would say that I sleep well but I do dream heavily every single night and I wake so tired. I often wonder if the heavy dreaming is actually preventing me from fully sleeping well. DH says he never remembers his dreams. I think it's my ADHD brain never switching off.

Have you considered MCAS OP? Your symptoms are very similar to one of my DC's. Now receiving treatment (after years of misdiagnosis and unnecessary invasive procedures) and toasty warm all the time! All other symptoms much reduced too.

I could have written this!!! I have everything you describe also - cold, tingly, shaky, tinnitus, extreme sensitivity to heat etc.. Even the vivid dreams.
I've been like this for years. Official diagnosis states fibromyalgia, asthma, migraine, IBS and Raynaud's.

I am also naturally slim, cook from scratch, eat no junk. And walk every day with my dog...! Biggest difference is, I'm older than you. I'm 61.

I have low vitamin D, high B12 and raised ESR. Also my blood pressure is always slightly low.

No ADHD as far as I know, but I am a highly anxious person.

It is something I have looked into, I do have many of the symptoms but the fact that I never get hives or any allergic reactions has put me off asking my GP.

How were your dc diagnosed?