What Could Be Causing This I Have Been Experiencing Extreme Cold Chills For A While Now?

Posted on Mon, 12 Dec 2022

Question: hello. ive been experiencing cold chills for a while now. I could have 4 blankets and three jackets on and experience the chill sensation. it starts in my back and radiates out. its winter here but this feels like a different cold sensation. ive had a full thyroid panel done, b12, iron, folate etc and everything is fine. I have Syringomyelia with a cyst at c6 and buldging discs but no nerves are trapped. my dr said possibly ms as well as i had many symptoms but asside from a region of shadow in my brain scan nothing abnormal. should I do a full spinal mri as ive only had the cervical mri done. what do you think could be causing this?

Answered by Dr. Malik (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection should be addressed initially.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Please, check your body temperature. If you have fever and cold chills, it is highly suggestive of an infection: most likely viral infections like influenza or common cold but other infections of kidney or lungs may start with chills as well. Normal body temperature with chills is more likely from endocrine disorders (low blood sugar may cause chills).
If you have fever or continuous cold chills you should get proper medical exam. You should get complete blood count with differential, blood chemistry tests and blood glucose tests. Your doctor may order additional tests according to the initial physical exam and test results.
Yes, you should get spinal MRI for multiple sclerosis (MS) as 20% of cases MS only limited in the spinal cord. Rarely, MS may cause cold chills too. But infection should be ruled out first.

I hope the above information will be helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Malik (20 hours later)

hi, thank you so much. ive never known that low blood sugar can cause chills. ive had monthly blood glucose tests and they have been fine, yet have been experiencing low blood sugars where they have gone down as low as four and only as high as 6 and felt better once eaten something should i do the sugar drink test? ive had a fasting insulin test done and it went to 11 then it was at 8. i did have a uti which has since cleared with antibiotics. but now am still experiencing the chills. thank you.

Answered by Dr. Malik (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You are welcome and thank you for the follow up questions.

If your blood glucose level was 6 mmol/L either in fasting blood glucose test or in random blood glucose test you should be evaluated with oral glucose tolerance test (sugar drink test). Your fasting insulin test is normal.
But, you should first get complete blood count test before glucose tolerance test to rule out infections or inflammation in your body. Because the result of glucose tolerance test is impaired during infections even you do not have diabetes or glucose intolerance.

I still suspect that you have some infections or inflammatory conditions. Please, consult with your doctor to get complete blood count test and oral glucose tolerance test.

I hope the above information will be helpful for you. Feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Malik (14 hours later)

hi, when my levels were 6 i tested on the blood glucose machine both times (also when it was 4). i checked my body temp its 36 degrees. i am in the middle of an asthma flare up i was diagnosed in 2017 with asthma i have fibromyalgia diagnosis in 2016 and mild osteoarthritis in my hips as well as the the Syringomyelia. thank you so much

Follow up: Dr. Malik (7 hours later)

im also wondering if i may what a high c4 blood test means? i had this done quite a while ago and my dr never told me the results but just said it was high.

Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Low levels of C3 and C4 shows autoimmune disorders

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for the follow up information.

C4 or complement 4 is measured along with the other complement components (usually with C3) to find out autoimmune diseases, kidney or liver damage. Complement is part of the immune system to fight infections or damaged cells in the body. Do not worry about high levels, it shows that body is currently fighting an infection or clearing damaged cells. But low levels of complement system (usually C3 and C4) shows autoimmune conditions- mainly systemic lupus erythematosis.
Cold chills is not usual for asthma , but if you catch a cold that may trigger asthma flare-ups. Cold chills are common in fibromyalgia. Hope you are getting treatment for fibromyalgia and asthma?

Hope the information is helpful for you.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Malik (14 hours later)

hi, at the moment i am om ventolin and symbicort for asthma and only panadol osteo and celebrex for fibromyalgia nothing stronger. i have massive bouts of fatigue with fibromyalgia and bursts of pain when the weather changes. thanks

Answered by Dr. Malik (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fibromyalgia makes you sensitive to temperature cahnges

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concern. Fibromyalgia makes you sensitive to temperature or weather changes. Unfortunately, there is no special treatment that can help to decrease sensitivity. Try to avoid abrupt temperature changes. Aerobic exercises and autogenic training techniques may help you to manage your condition.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana