Fatigue

[Anonymous]

I’m a 46 year old woman dealing with chronic fatigue. I’m supplementing Vitamin D, after testing for it and levels were low, although I just started the supplements a week ago. I’m also treated for hypothyroidism. Cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure are fine. I’m about 10 lbs overweight, but was even more overweight in the past and have lost 30 lbs in the past 2 years. I don’t snore and I get about 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Not anemic either. Vegetarian with a healthy diet. Haven’t had Covid recently. I need to sleep around 10 hours a night.

[Anonymous]

You say you need around 10 hours of sleep. Are you getting 10 hours most nights? When you do get 10 hours, are still tired?

How are your vitamin B levels? I had one nurse tell me that many women would benefit from vitamin B shots (probably B12). They didn't seem to help me much, but some find they make a difference. I also saw something that suggested a vitamin B deficiency might be more common among vegetarians.

I've you had your hormone levels checked recently?

[Anonymous]

You didn’t mention thyroid have you had that checked? I felt like I couldn’t even function before my thyroid was in check.

[Anonymous]

You say you don't snore, but you could still have sleep apnea.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t ever had hormone levels checked. I’m not sure what that would do, I’m not eligible for hormone therapy as a breast cancer survivor. I’ll ask about the B12 and maybe a sleep study. I did mention thyroid, I started meds for that last year and am finally in the normal range for TSH, although my doctor would like to see it more toward the lower end. It takes time to titrate up and find the right dosage.

I do sleep 10 hours and still have to use an alarm to get up. My energy is low during the day, but not unmanageable. It’s just markedly different from even a year ago, so I feel like there should be an explanation. Thanks for the talking points to bring up with my doctor- I will be following up with her in a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Check your b level. It could be anything.

[Anonymous]

Could it be SAD? I have it, and I find I sleep a lot more in the winter and just have so much less energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You didn’t mention thyroid have you had that checked? I felt like I couldn’t even function before my thyroid was in check.

This. Get on a thyroid medication if you can, Plus add B12 in a high dosage. I take it sublingual.