Why do I always feel cold all over?
Nov 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, constantly feeling cold all over the body may be caused by factors such as low environmental temperature, insufficient clothing insulation, hypothyroidism, anemia, or kidney yang deficiency. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain regular作息 (sleep-wake cycles), avoid staying up late to prevent depletion of yang energy, and engage in moderate exercises such as jogging or jump rope.
Generally, feeling cold all over the body may be caused by factors such as low ambient temperature, insufficient clothing insulation, hypothyroidism, anemia, or kidney yang deficiency. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Low environmental temperature: Prolonged exposure to cold environments leads to rapid heat loss, exceeding the body’s ability to generate heat, resulting in a sensation of coldness. Moving to a warmer environment, adding warm clothing, drinking warm water, or applying heat packs can effectively alleviate symptoms.
2. Insufficient clothing insulation: Wearing thin or loose clothing made from non-insulating materials fails to trap air effectively, reducing warmth retention. Choose garments made of insulating materials like cotton or wool, ensure proper fit, and pay special attention to keeping the waist, abdomen, and limbs warm.
3. Hypothyroidism: Insufficient thyroid hormone secretion slows metabolism and reduces heat production, leading to persistent cold sensations and fatigue. Patients may take medications such as levothyroxine sodium tablets, thyroid tablets, or liothyronine sodium tablets as prescribed to restore hormone levels and improve metabolic function.
4. Anemia: Reduced hemoglobin levels impair the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, decreasing oxygen and blood supply to extremities and causing coldness, dizziness, and fatigue. Patients may take ferrous sulfate tablets, ferrous succinate sustained-release tablets, or ferrous fumarate granules as directed, and increase intake of iron-rich foods such as red meat and animal liver.
5. Kidney Yang Deficiency: In traditional Chinese medicine, this condition refers to insufficient yang energy, leading to diminished warming function, manifesting as general coldness, sensitivity to cold, and cold limbs. Patients may use prescriptions such as Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, You Gui Wan, or Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan under medical supervision. Incorporating warming foods like lamb and longan into the diet and avoiding raw or cold foods is also beneficial.
Maintain a regular daily routine, avoid staying up late (which depletes yang energy), and engage in moderate exercises such as jogging or skipping rope to promote blood circulation and heat generation. Ensure a balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and other essential nutrients, and adjust clothing according to ambient temperature to reduce episodes of feeling cold.
