What Deficiency Causes Cold Shivers and Intolerance?

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, a condition that can impair the body's temperature regulation and lead to cold shivers. While a chilly environment is the most common reason for feeling cold, persistent and unexplained coldness can signal a deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals. This article explores what deficiency causes cold shivers and other factors that disrupt your body's internal thermostat.

Quick Summary

Several deficiencies, including iron, B12, and magnesium, can cause cold shivers and intolerance by impacting circulation, metabolism, and nerve function. Hypothyroidism is another common medical cause. Addressing these nutritional gaps or underlying conditions is key to improving body temperature regulation and overall comfort.

Key Points

Iron Deficiency: Low iron levels can cause anemia, reducing oxygen transport and metabolic heat production, leading to cold hands and feet.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Impaired red blood cell production and nerve function from a lack of B12 can result in anemia and peripheral neuropathy, causing cold and tingling sensations.
Magnesium Deficiency: Critical for muscle and nerve function, low magnesium can cause poor circulation and increased cold sensitivity.
Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid slows down metabolism, significantly reducing the body's heat generation and causing chronic cold intolerance.
Anemia's Role: Anemia, whether from iron or B12 deficiency, is a primary driver of cold sensitivity due to compromised oxygen delivery to tissues.
Other Factors: Poor circulation, low body weight, and electrolyte imbalances can also contribute to feelings of coldness.

Nutritional Deficiencies Impacting Thermoregulation

Your body's ability to maintain a stable internal temperature, a process called thermoregulation, relies on a complex interplay of nutrients and hormones. When specific vitamins and minerals are lacking, this system can falter, leading to persistent cold sensations or shivers.

Iron Deficiency and Anemia

Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, results in a reduced capacity for oxygen transport. Without sufficient oxygen reaching tissues and organs, the body's metabolic processes slow down, and less heat is generated. This can cause cold hands and feet, as the body prioritizes oxygen delivery to vital organs over extremities.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve function and the production of healthy red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to a type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia, where the body produces fewer and abnormally large red blood cells. This impairs oxygen delivery, similar to iron deficiency, and can result in nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which manifests as tingling, numbness, and cold sensations in the extremities. People on vegan diets or those with absorption issues due to conditions like Crohn's disease or certain surgeries are at higher risk.

Magnesium and Electrolyte Imbalance

Magnesium is a mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including those that regulate body temperature and muscle function. A deficiency can lead to poor circulation, muscle cramps, and increased sensitivity to cold. Furthermore, magnesium plays a role in calcium regulation, and low levels can cause hypocalcemia (low blood calcium), which can also result in feeling cold and twitchy muscles. An overall electrolyte imbalance can disrupt nerve function and fluid balance, contributing to cold intolerance.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Often associated with bone health, Vitamin D also plays a role in immune function and energy levels. A deficiency is linked to fatigue and a slowed metabolism, which can reduce the body's heat production and make you feel colder than usual. During winter months with limited sun exposure, low Vitamin D levels are particularly common.

Other Medical Causes of Cold Sensitivity

While nutrient deficiencies are a major factor, several other medical conditions can cause cold shivers and intolerance. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is a very common cause of cold intolerance. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism, which is the body's heat-generating process. When these hormones are low, metabolism slows down, and the body produces less heat, causing persistent cold sensations and other symptoms like fatigue and weight gain. Paloma Health provides further insight into the link between thyroid function and cold intolerance.

Poor Circulation

Conditions that affect blood flow, such as peripheral artery disease or Raynaud's phenomenon, can cause coldness, especially in the hands and feet. These conditions constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the extremities. While not a deficiency, certain nutrient deficiencies like B12 and magnesium can exacerbate circulation issues.

Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with low body weight or anorexia nervosa often experience cold sensitivity due to a lack of insulating body fat and a severely slowed metabolism, which is the body's response to starvation.

Comparison: Common Deficiencies and Their Impact on Cold Sensitivity


Deficiency	Mechanism Causing Coldness	Associated Symptoms	Food Sources for Improvement
Iron	Impaired oxygen transport via hemoglobin, reduced metabolic heat production.	Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet.	Red meat, lentils, beans, spinach, fortified cereals.
Vitamin B12	Impaired red blood cell production leading to anemia; nerve function issues (peripheral neuropathy).	Fatigue, weakness, tingling/numbness, pale/jaundiced skin, mood changes.	Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fortified cereals; supplements for vegans.
Magnesium	Disrupts nerve and muscle function, leading to poor circulation; affects calcium levels.	Muscle cramps, spasms, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, poor circulation.	Nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin D	Slowed metabolism and reduced energy levels; can contribute to poor circulation.	Fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, susceptibility to infection.	Sunlight exposure, fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified foods.

Diagnosis and Management

If you experience persistent, unexplained cold shivers or intolerance, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can order blood tests to check for specific nutrient deficiencies or screen for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism. Treatment will depend on the root cause and may involve dietary adjustments, supplements, or managing the underlying condition.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Beyond addressing deficiencies, certain lifestyle changes can help manage cold sensitivity:

Stay Warm: Dress in layers and wear warm socks and gloves to protect extremities.
Hydrate Properly: Dehydration can affect thermoregulation, so ensure adequate fluid intake.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity improves circulation and generates body heat.
Consume Warming Foods: A balanced diet rich in iron and other nutrients, including soups and warm meals, can help.

Conclusion

Persistent cold shivers and intolerance are often more than just a nuisance; they can be a symptom of a significant health issue. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly those involving iron and Vitamin B12, are common culprits due to their roles in oxygen transport and circulation. However, other conditions like hypothyroidism also severely impact the body's ability to regulate temperature. A comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is the most effective way to pinpoint the exact cause and develop a targeted plan to restore your body's internal warmth and overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a deficiency in iron can cause cold shivers and intolerance. Iron is vital for producing hemoglobin, which transports oxygen. Low levels lead to iron-deficiency anemia, reducing oxygen delivery and metabolic heat production, making you feel cold.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a type of anemia that reduces healthy red blood cell count. With fewer red blood cells, less oxygen is transported to your tissues, particularly extremities, which makes you feel colder. It can also affect nerve function.

Yes, chronic cold intolerance is a classic symptom of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, and an underactive thyroid slows this process, resulting in less heat generation and a persistent feeling of coldness.

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of bodily functions, including regulating body temperature and blood flow. A deficiency can cause poor circulation, leading to cold hands and feet, and may also affect nerve and muscle function.

Anemia, a condition of low red blood cell count or hemoglobin, can directly cause chills. It impairs the body's ability to regulate its temperature due to inadequate oxygen transport, leading to a compensatory mechanism that can manifest as chills.

The only way to know for sure is through a medical evaluation. A doctor will typically perform blood tests to check for deficiencies in iron, B12, and other key nutrients, as well as test thyroid function to rule out other causes.

Yes, zinc plays an important role in metabolism and immune function. A deficiency can lead to poor temperature regulation and a greater susceptibility to illness, which can cause one to feel colder than usual.