10 REASONS YOU’RE ALWAYS FEELING COLD

1 YOU’RE A WOMAN

A UNIVERSITY of Utah study found that women’s hands are nearly three degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than men’s. One theory is that the female hormone oestrogen contributes to female cold sensitivity by reducing blood flow to the extremities. It’s widely recognised that women have less heat-generating muscle mass than men, as well as a lower resting metabolic rate.

2 IT COULD BE RAYNAUD’S

RAYNAUD’S is a common condition caused by stress or cold temperatures that limits the blood supply to certain parts of the body, most commonly the fingers and toes. Typically, the area changes in colour, to white and then back to red within minutes, as the blood supply returns. Raynaud’s is not a serious threat for your health, and can be helped by wearing gloves and smoking less.

3 YOUR THYROID’S GONE HAYWIRE

WHEN the thyroid – a small gland in the neck – emits a reduced amount of hormone than normal, the metabolism is slowed, preventing your body from producing adequate heat. Other symptoms include thinning hair, dry skin and exhaustion.

4 LOW IRON LEVELS

LOW iron levels are a common reason for coldness, because iron helps red blood cells carry warming oxygen around the body. In a study, women with low iron levels saw body temperature fall dramatically when sat in a cold bath compared to those with sufficient levels, say scientists at Pennsylvania State University.

5 LACK OF SLEEP

BODY temperature drops with sleep deprivation, according to a study in the European Journal Of Applied Physiology. Researchers found that tiredness makes the metabolism sluggish, producing less heat and slowing circulation.

6 YOU MIGHT HAVE HEART DISEASE...

FEELING chilly – particularly in the extremities could be a sign of heart disease, or that your heart is not pumping blood efficiently. Blockages in an artery could also stop blood reaching the fingers and toes.

7 ...OR DIABETES

DIABETES can cause damage to the nerves responsible for sending messages to the brain about the temperature of hands and feet, known as peripheral neuropathy. If you have these symptoms and are diabetic, or are not diabetic but notice this as well as frequent urination, exhaustion and increased thirst, see your doctor.

8 YOU’RE DEHYDRATED

MORE than half of the body is made up of water, which helps keep our temperature regulated. Too little fluid leads to dehydration, making us sensitive to extreme temperatures due to the body’s attempt to retain as much water as possible.

9 VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

A LACK of Vitamin B12 – found only in animal products such as eggs and meat – causes symptoms of pernicious anaemia, where the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells. Studies show that low red blood cells can make you feel cold, dizzy and breathless.

10 YOU’RE TOO THIN

HAVING a low body weight – a BMI of 18.5 or under – means a lack of insulating fat. A low-calorie diet slows down your metabolism, so you don’t create enough body heat. Increased muscle helps maintain body temperature by firing up your metabolism, which produces heat.