Is it normal to feel tired all the time? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.5% of U.S. adults reported feeling very tired most days or every day. There are many reasons for feeling fatigued during the day, primarily if something is preventing you from getting consistent, good sleep (like a snoring partner, newborn baby, chronic pain or being preoccupied with life stress).If you’re constantly tired and you can’t point to a specific cause, it’s a good idea to see your primary care provider. According to endocrinologist Dr. Chhaya Makhija, MD, some common medical causes of fatigue include anemia, iron deficiency, vitamin D or B12 deficiency, inflammation and sleep apnea. “These should be investigated systematically by a healthcare professional,” Dr. Makhija says.There is another under-the-radar health condition that can cause fatigue, according to endocrinologists.
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According to Dr. Camila Heluey, MD, an endocrinologist with Stamford Health, fatigue is the most common symptom of hypothyroidism, a health condition that occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of the thyroid hormones.
“[Fatigue] occurs because thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, are essential for regulating the body’s metabolism and energy production. When levels are low, your body becomes slower, leading to tiredness, sluggishness and low stamina,” Dr. Heluey explains.
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Even though most people don’t give their thyroid any thought (as opposed to, say, their heart or gut), Dr. Makhija says that thyroid function is essential; we can’t survive without the thyroid. “It plays a central role in regulating our metabolism and is required by every cell in the body for proper function. When someone is newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism and is not yet on treatment, one of the most common symptoms they experience is fatigue or lethargy. This happens because the body doesn’t have enough thyroid hormone to maintain normal metabolic function or the pace of our metabolism,” she says.
Both doctors say that the fatigue associated with hypothyroidism is typically persistent. It’s a different sort of tiredness from the afternoon slump that hits around 4 p.m. or mid-morning after your coffee has worn off but you haven’t had lunch yet.
Hypothyroidism has other symptoms too, which Dr. Heluey says can include weight gain or difficulty losing weight, constantly feeling cold, dry skin, brittle nails or hair, constipation, depression or mood changes, menstrual irregularities, swelling, slow heart rate and memory problems or slowed thinking. “The symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually,” Dr. Heluey adds. Dr. Makhija says that the most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. “In this condition, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, impairing its ability to produce hormones,” she explains.
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She adds that other causes of hypothyroidism include surgical removal of the thyroid, radiation therapy to the neck and certain medications, such as lithium and amiodarone, and central hypothyroidism, which happens when the problem is at the level of the pituitary gland, which is not secreting enough thyroid-stimulating hormone.
What To Do If You Are Experiencing Persistent Fatigue
While fatigue can be a symptom of hypothyroidism, it’s certainly not the only medical condition it’s a symptom of. If it’s something you’re experiencing, Dr. Makhija recommends keeping a fatigue journal, tracking how you feel, what’s improved, what hasn’t and patterns throughout the day.Dr. Makhija also recommends giving your diet a critical look. Are you getting enough protein, fiber and healthy fats at every meal? Not getting enough of the nutrients the body needs can lead to feeling tired. For this reason, both endocrinologists say it’s a good idea to see your primary healthcare provider to check for any nutrient deficiencies.
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If you do have hypothyroidism, the good news is that there is a way to treat it. Dr. Heluey says that this involves daily thyroid replacement therapy, medication and monitoring through regular blood tests.While certain life phases make experiencing short-term fatigue common (such as becoming a new parent or grieving the death of a loved one), no one should go through life constantly tired. If this is something you’re experiencing and you can’t figure out why, see your healthcare provider. Energized days are ahead!
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Dr. Chhaya Makhija, MD, endocrinologist and lifestyle medicine doctorDr. Camila Heluey, MD, endocrinologist with Stamford HealthHence then, the article about constantly tired it could be a hidden sign of this health problem experts warn was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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