Why are my feet always cold?

Many people will experience cold feet at some point in their lives. Some causes are temporary and harmless, but others could indicate more serious health conditions.

Causes of cold feet

There are several different causes of cold feet. Sometimes, the simplest reason is a lack of warmth. If you’re in jeans and a t-shirt and your feet are bare, it makes sense that they may get cold first. However, there are other causes as well

Poor circulation

Circulation issues are a very common cause of cold feet. A person with poor circulation will often struggle to get enough warm blood to their extremities, and may complain of cold hands and cold feet frequently.

Poor circulation can have a variety of causes. Living a sedentary lifestyle or sitting at a desk all day may reduce circulation to the legs and cause cold feet.

Anemia

Anemia develops when you have a shortage of red blood cells. This is another common cause of cold feet, especially in severe cases of anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia can occur even in otherwise very healthy people. It can be treated relatively easily with changes in diet and by taking supplements.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes

People with diabetes may be at risk of circulation problems, such as cold feet or hands.

Frequent high blood sugar levels can lead to narrowing of the arteries and a reduced blood supply to the tissues, which may cause cold feet.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid gland, producing a low level of thyroid hormone, which has a negative impact on the body’s metabolism.

The body’s metabolism affects circulation, heartbeat, and body temperature, so anything that impacts on thyroid function and causes hypothyroidism can lead to cold feet.