is the unit a frost free type . first check door closes tight as a open or faulty seal will make unit work hard a build up of frost . don't leave door open for ages as this will cause condensation on back and build up ice . staking items against back of fridge will cause a lack of air flow and can cause frost build up . and finally if all above is OK and thermostat is low then it sounds like a gas leak and compressor is on the go all the time . (stand and listen if its on go all the time its really time to look at a new unit (a rating ) as cost to recharge gas a find leak will be more than cost of new one
Andrew
May 2008