What Causes Cold Intolerance In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Wed, 3 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Aug 2016 Answered on

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife of 61 years, she's 80, is in good health except that she always seems to be cold. We keep the house at 77 degrees all the time, which is comfortable for me but too cold for her. She wears a sweatshirt to stay warm. What would cause this ?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible hypothyroid

Detailed Answer:
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Your wife has been complaining about being cold all the time despite warm temperatures. She may have low thyroid condition. This is the gland that regulates a person's metabolism. If her metabolism is low then she would feel cold all the time. She also may have anemia. Low blood counts will also make a person feel cold because they don't have enough blood pumping I would recommend that she be seen by her medical provider and have lab tests screening for anemia and thyroid.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar