There’s cold. And then there’s always cold. Cold when everyone else seems comfortable. Cold in a room that others say feels perfectly warm. Cold hands or feet that won’t warm up. A chill that seems to sit deep in your body, even after a hot shower.  

If this feels familiar, I don’t want you to dismiss it as “just winter” or “just how I am”. Your body may be communicating something important. Feeling persistently cold is one of the signs I would always take seriously in clinic. Not because it points to one single cause, but because it can be a clue that something deeper needs your attention. And once we understand what your body is asking for, the next step becomes much clearer. The good news is that each of these areas is addressable. The key is understanding which one/s is/are relevant for you.  

Here’s what it could be.   

Your thyroid  

Your thyroid plays a central role in regulating metabolism, including how efficiently your body generates heat and regulates temperature.  

When thyroid function is suboptimal, one of the signs people often notice is greater sensitivity to cold. You may also feel more fatigued, experience sluggish digestion, find it harder to maintain your usual body size or feel as though everything in your body has slowed down.  

It’s also worth knowing that thyroid function can be influenced by nutrient status. Selenium, zinc, iodine and iron all play a role in the production and conversion of thyroid hormones.  

Iron  

Iron is not only essential for thyroid hormone production, but also for oxygen transport. It helps your red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells, where it is used to make energy. When iron stores are low, your cells may not receive the oxygen they need to generate energy efficiently. For some people, this can show up as feeling persistently cold, especially in the hands and feet. Iron depletion is also far more common than many people realise. It can exist even when some individual markers appear to sit within the reference range, which is why I always prefer to look at the full iron picture, not just one number. If you feel cold and even a bit grumpy, be sure to have your iron studies tested.   

B12  

Vitamin B12 supports healthy red blood cell formation, nervous system function and energy production. When B12 is low, people may experience fatigue, weakness, pins and needles, numbness or altered sensations in the hands and feet. It is something I pay particular attention to in women who eat little or no animal products, or who have compromised digestive function.  

Your stress hormones  

This one surprises many people. When the body is under sustained stress, cortisol and adrenaline can influence circulation. Blood flow may be directed towards the areas your body sees as most important for survival, such as major muscles to help you escape from danger. That is a brilliant short-term response. But when it becomes chronic, many women notice cold hands, cold feet or a sense that they can’t quite warm up, even when the room itself is not cold. Stress does not always feel dramatic on the surface. Sometimes it simply feels like holding everything together.