Many people report becoming much colder after substantial weight loss, whether from GLP-1 medications or other methods. They attribute it mainly to losing the insulating layer of fat, generating less body heat from reduced food intake and lower metabolic rate, and sometimes thyroid changes. Most treat it by adding layers like sweaters, socks, and blankets rather than seeing it as a medical problem, though a few recommend full thyroid panels. The effect appears more noticeable in women and can persist even after reaching a lower weight.
What this discussion establishesSome link the cold specifically to ongoing medication use or low calories and expect it to ease in maintenance, while others say it stays even after weight stabilizes or after bariatric surgery.
Still openWhether the cold sensitivity eventually normalizes with time, higher calories, or stopping medication, and how much thyroid function plays a role versus simple insulation loss.
Nothing here is advice.
I've dropped around 45 pounds and used to be the person who never needed heat, even in snowy areas without proper winter gear. Now I'm freezing constantly, switching from ice packs at work to needing a sweater in the office. Blood tests show nothing wrong, so is this normal for others after losing weight?
I actually run cooler now and don't mind it much. I get chilly in restaurants or theaters but it's a small price for the better life.
This happened to me around the same age after losing a lot of weight. Even after gaining most of it back I stayed cold in winter and later found out I had hypothyroidism from Hashimoto's, though I'm not sure exactly when it started.
I figure it's partly slower metabolism but mostly just the loss of that fat layer that used to keep me warm.
Yeah it comes with the territory. Down 38 pounds and I definitely notice the chill now, even wearing socks around the house. The AC stays cranked where I live in Florida.
Yes I've lost weight too, not that I was overweight before. I think it's from losing the insulation after dropping about 20 pounds.
Yes and I got tired of it so I bought wool socks, long sleeve shirts, sweat pants and some house slippers.
Check your TSH along with free T4 and free T3. It's a cheap test you can order yourself and get drawn at Quest or Labcorp. Thyroid hormones often drop with lower calories and that slows metabolism, making you cold. If you were borderline before, weight loss can reveal hypothyroidism. TSH alone isn't enough.
The cold comes and goes for me. I think it's more tied to what I'm eating.
I used to be the hot one but now I bring a sweater or jacket if I think the place might have the AC on high. My husband finds it funny.
I hear this hits women more than men on these meds. It came up before in the over-50 women thread.
Are you on reta? I had this side effect the first year and it's been mentioned on other forums. Lilly is looking into it too. Could be the meds plus the weight loss.
All that food probably kept you warmer before. Less eating means less body heat. If thyroid wasn't checked in your bloodwork, get it tested to be sure.
Yes, before the weight loss I always ran hot. Now I'm more sensitive to cold.
Losing weight does change things. Part of it is losing the fat insulation. Part is making less heat because you eat less, which means less diet-induced thermogenesis, and over time your metabolic rate drops from having less body mass and from adapting to lower calories. I like it better than being hot and sweaty all the time. Easier to add a jumper than run the aircon constantly.
I think it's a mix of less fat, eating less so less diet-induced thermogenesis, and shifts in metabolism overall.
Down 135 pounds and I'm freezing nonstop. I used to be a cold sleeper but otherwise ran hot and sweaty. Now it's 24/7. I keep my home office at 78 degrees with the fan on in winter mode or my hands go numb. I barely sweat at the gym anymore either.
Yes I've lost 32 pounds and get abnormally cold sometimes. It's in the 90s here with the AC running but I still keep a light blanket on the couch.
I am always cold too. A rechargeable heated vest from Costco helps a lot if you work outside in cooler months.
Totally that med leaves me feeling chilly way faster now. 🥶☃️
This seems like a typical reaction from certain GLP-1 types. I notice it while taking one version, my mother runs into it with the pharmacy option, and my girlfriend deals with it on hers.
Skinny and freezing constantly now. I get cold even in warm tropical ocean water while snorkeling.
Even though I haven't hit my target yet, I feel chilly constantly. It seems tied to staying in a calorie restriction. My hunch is that quitting the medication or shifting into upkeep mode would fix that. Lots of slim folks I know never deal with feeling this chilly all day.
Strangely I'm freezing all day with ice-cold hands but at night I soak the sheets with sweat and run hot.
Yes I find myself turning the AC off at home even when it's set to 70 because I'm chilled.
I've noticed I feel colder since starting reta. My oral temperature is running about a degree lower than usual too. Only a month in so maybe it will settle with time.
I'm definitely colder as well. Only lost about 12 pounds but I can already tell the difference.
What was the ocean temperature? We keep our house at 78 but we're used to it here. I couldn't handle 70.
Lost over 90 pounds and it's a bone-chilling cold. I can't handle any cold at all now and my mood flips the second I feel a chill.
Back in March I had a hard time even with the house around 62. Tried electric vests with some success. Down about 40 pounds then. Used to like my bedroom in the upper 50s but not anymore. On the plus side, last summer's 78 felt pleasant instead of miserable.
I used to run around in a t-shirt and shorts in the snow because I always ran hot. After bariatric surgery and losing a ton I can wear a hoodie in summer and feel fine. Almost always cold now.
I used to brag about being well insulated. When that changed I really felt it and now wear hoodies in the house often. Even before big losses I had weird cold chills from low calories. The upside is not sweating right away when I go outside in summer.
85 degrees F in Roatan.
Thanks for all the replies. I feel less alone now. Guess I'll be one of those people who can wear cute sweaters without overheating.
I sense an entity that lingers close by. Time for me to contact a priest.
You're a female, right?
Totally agree, I'm always chilly here. My workplace feels awful from the cold.
You can wear a cute sweater.
Even if I'm female that doesn't stop you from wearing an adorable jumper anyway.
My poor feet are freezing all the time. I keep fluffy socks in different places around the house.
True enough. At least I like the cooler side better than getting way too warm, which is why I'm making myself think about it.
Down 50 pounds from a year ago but I thought it was just age. I call it my old and cold chapter.
I've noticed reta makes my hands and feet much colder than tirz did when I'm sedentary for long periods. I feel colder overall but the hoodie I wear now is a lot smaller.
Appreciate the reply, I figure there's an item tucked away in my reserves that fits him. The preferred choice stayed hidden since it felt excessive.
Being chilly from the beginning meant the temperature battle didn't affect me at all. The struggle with the cooling unit is genuine. Even with my reduced size these days my temperament stays nasty and I resort to underhanded tactics when needed lol
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