4 Potential Reasons You May Be Tired All the Time
Feeling tired all the time is a symptom that often gets brushed off.
Sometimes we may know exactly why we are tired — perhaps you were up late working on a big project for work or getting up multiple times a night with your child. It makes sense that you’re tired.
However, sometimes feeling tired all the time is an indicator that something else is going on.
Here are some of the top reasons behind day-to-day low energy and fatigue:
Nutrient Deficiences
If you are experiencing low energy or fatigue, it is important to rule out nutrient deficiencies such as low iron or low B vitamin levels through a blood test with your doctor. One of the first signs of a B12 deficiency is fatigue.
Any deficiencies discovered can then be supported with food and temporary use of supplements. It’s also important to dig into why those deficiencies are showing up in the first place (hint: it could be your gut).
Gut Imbalances
When you think of energy, your gut probably isn’t the first thing you think of. But, the gut is key to keeping our energy levels up and stable throughout the day.
This can even begin in the stomach. Low stomach acid levels (aka as hypochlorhydria) can contribute to feeling fatigue and low energy, since stomach acid is needed to release and absorb important nutrients. For example, adequate stomach acid levels are needed to absorbed vitamin B12, which is important for energy production.
Another common imbalances related to low energy, is intestinal permeability (also known as “leaky gut”). When the stability of the intestinal lining degrades, undigested food or toxins made by from pathogenic ("bad") bacteria can enter the bloodstream. The immune system that sees that as an attack, and launches a response which can deplete our body’s resources and energy.
An overgrowth of pathogenic (“bad”) bacteria in our gut can also impact the production of serotonin, which is essential for regulating our sleep cycle. An overgrowth of bad bacteria often leads to chronic inflammation of the gut, which also stresses out the body. Inflammation activates our fight-or-flight response and constant activation of our stress responses can contribute to chronic low energy or fatigue over time.
Circadian Rhythm
Our circadian rhythm is our internal clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. It is normal for there to be short-term disruptions when life happens - like having a new baby, being up late at night finishing a big project, or traveling and the jet lag hits you like a truck.
But regular disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle can contribute to low energy and fatigue.
Circadian disruption also isn’t just about sleep - it’s also about when you eat. Eating a big meal late at night can disrupt the body clock and leave you feeling tired more often.
Thyroid Imbalance
Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of a sluggish or underperforming thyroid. And you might be surprised to hear that your gut health can impact your thyroid health!
The condition of our gut can lead to stress on our body, which can happen when we are dealing with conditions like infection, bacteria overgrowth, inflammation, or leaky gut. These conditions can cause stress on the body and releases a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can impact the body's ability to convert T4 to T3, which can impact our thyroid function.
Our thyroid also needs nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, copper to function optimally. If you are dealing with a leaky gut or a bacterial overgrowth, your ability to absorb these nutrients can become compromised.
If you suspect a thyroid issue, I recommend asking your doctor for a full thyroid test panel and also supporting your gut health.
If fatigue is a major concern of yours, and you'd like to see if your gut might be at the root of it, check out my Gut Reset Program where we take a look at these factors and more!
