Can Cancer Cause You to Feel Cold?
May 23, 2024 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Yes, cancer can cause you to feel cold. This can be due to a variety of factors related to the disease itself or its treatment:
- Anemia: Many types of cancer, particularly those affecting the bone marrow (like leukemia or lymphoma), can lead to anemia. Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which can result in poor circulation and a feeling of being cold.
- Weight Loss and Cachexia: Cancer often causes significant weight loss and muscle wasting (cachexia), which can reduce body fat and muscle mass that help insulate the body, making a person feel colder.
- Metabolic Changes: Cancer can alter the body’s metabolism in various ways, affecting the regulation of body temperature and leading to sensations of being cold.
- Chemotherapy and Other Treatments: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Chemotherapy can also cause anemia and peripheral neuropathy, which might contribute to a feeling of coldness.
- Hypothyroidism: Some cancers, especially those affecting the thyroid gland or as a result of treatment side effects, can lead to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), a condition that can make you feel cold.
- Infections: Cancer patients are at higher risk for infections due to a weakened immune system. Some infections can cause chills and a feeling of coldness as part of the body’s response to fight the infection.
- Poor Circulation: Some cancers and their treatments can lead to poor circulation, which can make extremities feel cold.
If you are experiencing an unusual or persistent feeling of coldness, it is important to discuss this symptom with your healthcare provider. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment or interventions.