Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to a cold environment or cold temperatures.
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.
Follow the recommended therapy for treating the cause of the problem.
Call your health care provider if you have long-term or extreme intolerance to cold.
Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
Tests that may be performed include:
If your health care provider diagnosed cold intolerance, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
Sensitivity to the cold; Intolerance to cold
Kim M, Ladenson P. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 233.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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