Why Am I So Tired All the Time? 4 Common Root Causes of Fatigue in Women
What do you believe about your health? Has fatigue simply become your normal way of living that you don’t even question it anymore?
Well, today, we’re here to tell you that being tired all the time should absolutely not be something you simply accept. It’s not necessarily normal—it’s just common, and you don’t have to live with it.
We’re unpacking 4 common root causes of fatigue, including nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar, gut health and thyroid health—so you can get to the root of your fatigue and start getting your energy (and your life) back!
Common Fatigue-Causing Nutrient Deficiencies
Two of the most common nutrient deficiencies associated with fatigue are iron and vitamin B12. While these deficiencies are more common among vegans and vegetarians, they can also occur in people who eat meat.
Low vitamin D is also very common and may contribute to fatigue, especially during the winter months. We frequently see low vitamin D through testing in our clinic, yet it can easily go unrecognized. If you’re in the market for a high quality vitamin D, we love this one by Designs for Health.
Nutrient deficiencies can develop due to poor diet, undereating, poor absorption, gut dysbiosis, digestive conditions or impaired digestion.
Common contributing factors include:
Highly processed diets and lack of nutrient variety
Underconsumption of animal protein
Low stomach acid or digestive enzymes
Undereating or restrictive eating
Poor gut absorption or digestive conditions
Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
Poor bile flow
Lack of adequate sun exposure
Chronic stress
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Blood Sugar Crashes
Blood sugar dysregulation is another common contributor to daytime fatigue and nighttime wakefulness that can go undetected for years.
When blood sugar rises and falls rapidly, you may experience energy crashes, cravings, irritability, difficulty concentrating or feeling tired after meals. Blood sugar regulation can also be influenced by insulin resistance, chronic stress and poor sleep.
What can contribute to blood sugar crashes?
High-carbohydrate or highly processed diets
Not eating enough protein, fat or fibre
“Naked carbs” (eating carbohydrates on their own)
Elevated stress and cortisol
Inadequate sleep
Nutrient deficiencies
Nervous system dysregulation
Rather than simply treating the symptom, we look at the bigger picture to identify what may be contributing to your blood sugar imbalance and help you work toward more stable energy.
How Gut Health Impacts Energy
We talk about gut health frequently on our blog, and for good reason—it can have a tremendous impact on how you feel, including your energy levels.
When digestion is impaired or the gut is imbalanced, it can contribute to fatigue through poor nutrient absorption, digestive inflammation, changes in the gut microbiome and blood sugar or appetite changes.
For more information, read our post: Why You Need To Fix Your Gut For Optimal Energy
The Fatigue-Thyroid Connection
Your thyroid plays a major role in regulating metabolism, body temperature and energy production. When thyroid hormone production is too low, hypothyroidism can cause persistent fatigue, sluggishness and difficulty feeling energized.
Other signs can include feeling unusually cold, unexplained weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, brain fog, low mood and menstrual changes.
Importantly, thyroid health is more complex than simply looking at TSH. Depending on your symptoms and history, a more comprehensive assessment may include TSH, free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies, along with nutritional and lifestyle factors that can influence thyroid function.
If you’ve also been struggling with hair loss, bloating or weight gain, having your thyroid assessed can provide valuable insight into whether thyroid health may be contributing to how you’re feeling.
There’s More to Fatigue Than These 4 Causes
There are numerous other factors that may contribute to fatigue, including stress and cortisol, poor sleep, hormonal changes, chronic inflammation and lifestyle factors. Fatigue is almost always the result of several factors overlapping.
If you’re ready to take charge of your health and finally get to the root of your low energy, book a call with us today!
Asher Kleiber
Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Blood sugar imbalances don’t just affect those with diabetes—many people experience them for years or even decades without realizing it. Type 2 diabetes is a late-stage manifestation of prolonged blood sugar issues and insulin resistance, but the good news is that we have a significant amount of control over whether or not we develop this condition and our overall well-being…