---
title: "Why am I always cold? Blood tests that check the common causes"
type: symptom
url: "https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/cold-intolerance"
symptom: Always feeling cold
aliases:
  - cold intolerance
  - cold hands and feet
  - feeling cold all the time
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
lab_fee_usd: 6
---

# Why am I always cold? Blood tests that check the common causes

> Feeling cold when others are comfortable is a classic hypothyroid symptom and a common sign of anemia or low iron. TSH (with Free T4 if abnormal), a CBC and ferritin cover the main causes; vitamin B12 is added because deficiency causes both anemia and cold, tingling extremities.


## When should you see a clinician instead of ordering a test?

- Fingers or toes turning white or blue with numbness (Raynaud's) — see a clinician
- Cold intolerance with a very slow heart rate, confusion or extreme sluggishness — seek care promptly

## Why these tests for always feeling cold?

Thyroid hormone drives heat production, so an underactive thyroid lowers body temperature tolerance. Anemia — from iron, B12 or folate deficiency — reduces oxygen delivery and leaves hands and feet cold. Low body weight and poor circulation are non-lab causes a clinician will consider.

## Which conditions do these tests help evaluate?

- [Thyroid Problems](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/thyroid-problems) — TSH, Free T4/T3 and antibodies to evaluate an under- or over-active thyroid.
- [Anemia](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/anemia) — CBC, iron studies, ferritin, B12 and folate to find the cause of fatigue and low energy.

## Which tests, and what do they cost?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | All-in (one item + $6 fee) | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Complete Thyroid Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/thyroid-complete-panel) | Panel (4 tests) | $109.99 | $115.99 | No | 3–7 business days |
| [Baseline Anemia Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/anemia-panel) | Panel (5 tests) | $74.99 | $80.99 | Yes | 2–4 business days |
| [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Free T4 (Thyroxine)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/free-t4-test) | Test | $23.99 | $29.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) | Test | $21.99 | $27.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) | Test | $24.99 | $30.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Vitamin B12](https://www.test-well.com/tests/vitamin-b12) | Test | $25.99 | $31.99 | No | 2–4 business days |

Prices are cash-pay; every order adds one $6.00 lab processing fee. Physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### Can low iron make you cold without anemia?

Yes. Iron deficiency affects temperature regulation before hemoglobin drops, which is why ferritin is checked alongside the CBC.

## Related

- [What blood tests should you get for fatigue?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/fatigue)
- [Which blood tests help explain brain fog?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/brain-fog)
- [What blood tests should you get for hair loss?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/hair-loss)
- [What blood tests check for causes of unexplained weight gain?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/weight-gain)
- [All symptoms](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms)
- [Browse by condition](https://www.test-well.com/conditions)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/cold-intolerance
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.