# Why am I so f-ing cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 20, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439 "2023-11-20T19:38:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/41 "2023-11-27T02:00:15Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’m willing to anonymize my general health panel if we want to have an MD party in the thread. It is entirely your choice or not to publish your own medical records or information online (I wouldn’t) but neither @Qadgop_the_Mercotan nor any other MD/DO here can authorize further testing or perform an examination, nor prescribe a course of treatment or make a referral to a specialist that your insurance would accept. I’d think the CMP results would warrant getting your appointment with your GP expedited or getting a referral to a hepatologist. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/42 "2023-11-27T02:28:10Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > If you’ve lost body fat over the last few months or so that can amplify the phenomenon. Is that secondary to loss of the insulating properties of fat, or compensatory slowing of the metabolism as the brain and body try to return to set point? @squeegee did I miss your thyroid results reported? Did they do a CBC? Any atypical lymphocytes reported? For the next to nothing this is worth (kids are my turf), I’d suspect your liver enzymes are not directly related to your low temperature and feeling cold. My WAG is that you always run cold as your personal normal and that your rapid weight loss has your body reacting as if you are in a starvation state doing its best to lower calories out to return you to what it has established as your normal state. Low thyroid definitely to be checked for. Agreed worth having an adult doc check it out though. In a kid I’d suspect something like a mono hepatitis. For an adult QtM knows best but I’d expect the basic evaluation of ultrasound and hepatitis viral panels. Then repeat in 6 weeks expecting getting closer to normal. FWIW I’ve also lost some weight lately with an increase in exercise and more mindful nutrition (not as much as fast as you): my hands in particular are ice cold. I always run a low resting heart rate, like 42 to 44, but now I am 38 to 39 bpm on rising. Pretty sure for me it is slowed metabolism. Keep us updated! ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/43 "2023-11-27T02:38:08Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > @squeegee did I miss your thyroid results reported? Did they do a CBC? Any atypical lymphocytes reported? I don’t see CBC on the panel. TSH, mentioned as a thyroid indicator, is 1.73 (.34 - 4.82 normal range). I specifically asked the doctor about thyroid and he said, “no, you’re fine. But liver OMFG LIVER”, and he’s like the Soup Nazi: “No Tylenol for you!” > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > It is entirely your choice or not to publish your own medical records or information online (I wouldn’t) but neither @Qadgop_the_Mercotan nor any other MD/DO here can authorize further testing or perform an examination, nor prescribe a course of treatment or make a referral to a specialist that your insurance would accept. Very good points. I’ll follow up with the GP. Absolutely. BUT I want to nerd out on the test results! This is fascinating stuff!!! What is my Lipase and why do I care!? (Rhetorical) We’ll see what the mods say. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/44 "2023-11-27T02:46:13Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > What is my Lipase A measure of pancreatic function. If it’s elevated, it could mean pancreatitis or other pancreas issues. I’m surprised there was no CBC. Anything marked ‘white blood count’ or ‘hemoglobin’ or similar? Anyway, yes, plan to see your doctor. Call the office and see if your lab results don’t get you in sooner. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/45 "2023-11-27T02:46:46Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Is that secondary to loss of the insulating properties of fat, or compensatory slowing of the metabolism as the brain and body try to return to set point? Some from column A and some from Column B? Not really sure. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/46 "2023-11-27T02:48:59Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Anything marked ‘white blood count’ or ‘hemoglobin’ or similar? White blood cell count 4.9 (normal range 4.0 - 11.0) Red blood cell count 4.21 (normal range 4.4 - 6.0) Hemoglobin 13.0 (normal range 13.5 - 18.0) Does that help? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/47 "2023-11-27T02:52:59Z")
it’s interesting, indicating slightly low red blood cells, but not enough to cause your problems. Was there a ‘differential’ listing things like lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, etc? Or hematocrit? ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/48 "2023-11-27T02:57:19Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > interesting, indicating slightly low red blood cells, but not enough to cause your problems. Was there a ‘differential’ listing things like lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, etc? Or hematocrit? Lemme see: Hermatocrit 37.5 (normal 40.0 - 52.0) Monocyte 7 (no range given) Lymphosites 12 (no range given) Monocyte 7 (no range given) Neutrophil 78 (no range given) (OK, I’m hoping the mods don’t spank me, we’ve gotten pretty far down the list. Sorry mods!) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/49 "2023-11-27T02:58:58Z")
Should we @ any more docs? Mods? ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/50 "2023-11-27T03:08:08Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Is that secondary to loss of the insulating properties of fat, or compensatory slowing of the metabolism as the brain and body try to return to set point? I lost the exact same amount of weight - about 17% to 18% of body weight - at the end of 2021\* and I totally had issues with maintaining (mostly extremity) warmth. This was the end-ish of the pandemic, and I started dating again after that 2020 dry spell. Lot’s of al fresco dining because masks, and I froze my ass off. > [@DSeid](#): > > my hands in particular are ice cold Posted upthread, check Amazon for fingerless gloves. I love mine - I can use the mouse and still warm my hands. Outdoors you feel like an idjit but you get over it. \*And then regained almost all of it after herniating a disk, then having a [DVT that turned into a pulmonary embolism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446) and generally living unhealthily. I’m determined this time to keep the weight off, but this shit isn’t helping. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/51 "2023-11-27T03:18:08Z")
Nevermind, Discourse ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/52 "2023-11-27T03:35:49Z")
Rereading the thread, spotted this: > [@DSeid](#): > > My WAG is that you always run cold as your personal normal and that your rapid weight loss has your body reacting as if you are in a starvation state doing its best to lower calories out to return you to what it has established as your normal state. This is also my very strong suspicion. I was exercising up to 8 hours a day because I could - I’m retired. Mostly stationary bike, just pedal and watch TV. Plus tons of abs, I hate having a belly. Then I reached my goal 11/11 and decided to desist for a while and things went sideways. My body has adjusted to some other new normal and it’s making me miserable. I was consuming 1100-1700 calories a day and was used to that, plus heavy exercise, plus intermittent fasting (first meal 7-8 pm) and I’m off kilter. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/53 "2023-11-27T10:30:59Z")
Moderating: > [@squeegee](#): > > I’m willing to anonymize my general health panel if we want to have an MD party in the thread. I’d just make a pure ASCII list of test results, no IDing info, no health org, no graphics, no PDF, no nothing. Not sure who to invite; you, QtM, would be more aware of the who’s-who docs here I think. > > But I’m a little worried all this would run afoul of board rules and get shuttered. > > The IMHO pinned thread says: > @engineer_comp_geek > @What_Exit > @Puzzlegal > @Aspenglow > > What do you think, mods? I’m not sure what your mean by “anonymizing” your health panel. If you post the data, we all have the data, whether it’s a pdf or ASCII. Going to DM would actually give you a little privacy, should you prefer that. But to speak to the general rule, you are allowed to post your health info here. But you have to be aware that you are talking to a bunch of random strangers. They might be lying about their medical experience. They might be mistaken about their expertise. Sure, geek out here, ask for what to ask the non-anonymous doctor you see IRL. But don’t take advice here instead of actual certified medical advice. And i note that the doctors here recommend you see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/54 "2023-11-27T13:40:12Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And i note that the doctors here recommend you see a doctor I _did_ see a doctor. Just yesterday. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m not sure what your mean by “anonymizing” your health panel Just removing stuff like the health organization, my patient name, anything that traces it back to my actual name. So _only_ the test name and result, e.g: #### Abs. Neutrophil 3.9 ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/55 "2023-11-27T17:58:19Z")
Well, all my hepatitis tests came back “nonreactive” which I assume is a good result. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/56 "2023-11-27T18:26:47Z")
Also I did the gut ultrasound this morning, waiting for word. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/57 "2023-11-27T19:29:38Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Also I did the gut ultrasound this morning, waiting for word Word is good! Fatty liver (no suspicious hepatic mass), kidneys normal, pancreas normal, gallbladder normal no gallstones, bile ducts normal. Spleen normal. Really nothing notable. There’s more detail that I don’t understand but seems to add up to “looks mostly pretty good!” And even better, the chills are gone today! I feel kinda dopey but I had sleep disturbance last night and I couldn’t drink coffee before the 9am ultrasound. This is so weird. One theory I have is that when I was doing crazy exercise + intermittent fasting (first meal at 7-8pm), I was popping my nicotine 4mg gums like a madman, displacing hunger. Like 30+ of them a day. That could really f up your liver. I’ve switched back to 2mg and eating like half that. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/58 "2023-11-27T20:54:06Z")
All good news so far, except you should maintain your healthy diet and continue avoiding alcohol (and excess nicotine). Just follow up with your primary care doc and see where things stand then. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/59 "2023-11-28T18:26:59Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > One theory I have is that when I was doing crazy exercise + intermittent fasting (first meal at 7-8pm), I was popping my nicotine 4mg gums like a madman, displacing hunger. Like 30+ of them a day. This is the type of information you should have presented in your initial post–as it sounds very relevant. It has this effect on mice: > **[Nicotine-induced hypothermia through an indirect dopaminergic mechanism - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22298689/)** > > The effect of nicotine on core body temperature was studied in mice. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of nicotine (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) induced a dose-dependent hypothermia. The response was inhibited by reserpine (5 mg/kg), the centrally active... ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439/60 "2023-11-28T18:44:47Z")
Do make certain that your thermometer is maintained, with fresh batteries, etc. We had thermometer that wasn’t accurate due to this issue. We were not seeing a fever on the device, when, in fact, we had one. Perhaps you have already done this. If so, I can only add what others have said, it is time to see a doctor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-so-f-ing-cold/993439.md?page=4)