Are you constantly cold? This is a characteristic symptom of this thyroid disease.

Many people complain of feeling cold, but most of them underestimate this symptom. It is a mistake, because it can indicate many diseases, including hypothyroidism, which is one of the most common disorders of this organ. This happens about 5 percent of the time. adult women and about 1 percent. Men. However, this is not the only reason. We explain why you can still feel cold for a long time.

Feeling cold is a symptom of hypothyroidism

Cold and cold intolerance are among the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism. From what exactly does it arise and why does it accompany this disease? The thyroid gland is responsible for the production and release of, among other things, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). They, in turn, affect the metabolism of our body and thermogenesis, i.e. heat production.

A malfunctioning thyroid produces too few hormones compared to what the body needs. It also affects the metabolic rate, and therefore - to maintain the desired body temperature. A slower metabolism causes cells to burn less energy and heat production slows down. Therefore, people suffering from hypothyroidism are constantly cold and hardly warm. Sometimes there may also be chills, as well as hypothermia of the extremities (especially the hands).

Other Symptoms Accompanying Hypothyroidism

In addition to the constant feeling of coldness, it is also worth paying attention to the following symptoms that may signal problems with the thyroid gland:

• skin symptoms: dry skin and hair, swelling of the hands, eyelids and face, pallor of the skin, decreased sweating;
• mental symptoms: decreased concentration, memory impairment, drowsiness, depression, anxiety;
• digestive system symptoms: weight gain, constipation, flatulence;
• other symptoms: menstrual disorders, infertility, cardiac dysfunction.

The above symptoms may vary in severity, depending on the level of thyroid hormones and the duration of the disease. In the early stages of hypothyroidism, they may be barely noticeable.

Constant freezing and other diseases

The cause of constant fading can be not only hypothyroidism. This condition is also caused by systemic diseases, overwork or malnutrition, as well as aging of the body, alcohol or caffeine abuse. Adipose tissue also plays an important role - if it is too small, the body lacks an insulating layer, which causes it to lose heat faster. Dehydration and vitamin B12 deficiency can also be the cause of persistent cold.

The causes of constant freezing include diseases such as:

• anemia - a condition in which the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells, whose role is to carry oxygen to the body’s organs. As a result, there is often a feeling of cold, as well as pale skin and fatigue. The most common type of anemia is associated with iron deficiency.
• Diseases of the blood vessels - a feeling of cold, especially cold hands and feet, may indicate a violation of blood circulation. This may be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis, a serious condition. However, it happens that for many years it is asymptomatic.
• Diabetes - A violation of the perception of temperature can also be a consequence of kidney damage as a result of diabetes mellitus. One of the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy is a constant feeling of cold.
• Neurosis Cold can also be a sign of stress. By tiring the body, the brain directs the most oxygenated blood to the most important organs, such as the heart. Less important ones remain hypoxic. This is why people with neurosis can have cold hands and feet.
• Lyme disease - one of the symptoms of this disease is violations of thermoregulation of the body, which is manifested by low body temperature. Patients are accompanied by a feeling of cold, as well as paroxysmal trembling.

What to do if you feel a chronic cold?

Although frost does not seem to be a serious ailment, this does not mean that this unpleasant symptom can be ignored. If your sensitivity to cold is chronic, interferes with your daily life and reduces your quality of life, see your family doctor.

If you notice symptoms of hypothyroidism or any of these conditions, also see a specialist. Remember not to underestimate them. In diseases of the thyroid gland, the level of TSH in the blood is first determined, and if it is too high, treatment is started.

Frequent freezing can also be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In this situation, you need to do blood tests that will check, including the level of vitamin B12, vitamin C and folic acid. It is also worth checking the level of vitamin A, which is associated with anemia in the body.