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Cold intolerance - Overview

Alternative Names

Sensitivity to the cold; Intolerance to cold

Definition of Cold intolerance:

Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to a cold environment or cold temperatures.

Considerations:

Cold intolerance can be a symptom of a metabolic problem.

Some people (often very thin women) do not tolerate cold environments because they have very little body fat and are unable to keep warm.

Common Causes:

Anemia
Anorexia nervosa
Blood vessel (vascular) problems, such as Raynaud's phenomenon
Chronic severe illness
General poor health
Hypothyroidism
Problem with the hypothalamus

Reviewed last on: 6/17/2008
Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Ladenson P, Kim M. Thyroid. In: Goldman L and Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 244.

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