Dr Ranj Singh, appearing on BBC Morning Live, has said that a persistent desire to turn the thermostat up could be a sign of serious underlying health conditions. While some people simply prefer a warmer environment, the NHS doctor outlined several medical reasons that might explain why someone feels the cold more than others.
Speaking to hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton, Dr Ranj said the generally agreed minimum temperature for regularly used rooms in a home is 18C. He noted that some groups, including the very elderly, those with poor mobility, babies and young children, and people with certain long-term health conditions, may need it warmer. A range of 18 to 21 degrees is usually adequate for most people, he said.
Health risks of prolonged cold exposure
Dr Ranj explained that the dangers arise when people are exposed to cold for prolonged periods, rather than intermittently. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to shrink and constrict, making it harder to push blood through them, so the heart has to work harder. Very cold conditions also make the blood thicker, increasing the likelihood of clotting, which is one reason heart attacks and strokes increase during colder months.
He also addressed the link between cold weather and colds or flu. The cold does not directly cause these illnesses, as they are caused by viruses and infections, but it can lower immune defences, dry out the nose and upper airways, and reduce the effectiveness of the immune system over time. People also tend to huddle indoors in close contact, which increases the chances of picking up infections.
Underlying conditions that make you feel cold
Dr Ranj said that persistent or unexplained feelings of cold may have an underlying medical reason. Diabetes can affect nerves and circulation, particularly in the hands and feet, damaging nerves so that cold is sensed differently and damaging blood vessels so circulation to the peripheries is reduced. A hypoglycaemic attack can also make a person feel very cold and clammy.
Anaemia, where there are not enough red blood cells or insufficient iron or haemoglobin, means the body prioritises vital organs and sends blood centrally, leaving less for the hands and feet. Thyroid issues can also play a role, as thyroid hormones control metabolism, which generates warmth and maintains body temperature. If the thyroid is not working effectively, cold sensitivity increases.
Circulation issues in general, such as those caused by diabetes, smoking or peripheral vascular disease, can also make a person feel colder. Finally, Dr Ranj mentioned Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition where blood vessels in the hands and feet spasm, making them colder, changing colour or going pale. It can be extremely uncomfortable and is triggered by cold, with blood flow returning causing redness and throbbing.
