Do you feel like no matter how much sleep you get, you’re still running on empty? Do you need copious amounts of caffeine just to get through your day? If so, you’re not alone.
I’m a Naturopathic Doctor and one of the most common symptoms I see in practice is low energy. Many women come to me saying, ‘I’m exhausted all the time, but my doctor says my labs are normal.’ Sound familiar? I know how debilitating low energy can be, and I promise you there is more to investigate even if your general labs are “normal”.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I help uncover the real reasons behind low energy—because it’s not just about getting more sleep. Let’s dive into some of the top causes of fatigue and steps forward on how to restore your low energy.
Common But Overlooked Causes of Fatigue
Nutrient deficiencies
Lack of healthy nutrition, reliance on fast food, poor soil quality, and issues with absorption are some reasons why nutrient deficiencies can show up. You can test for some of these nutrients through blood work, though not all doctors will run comprehensive testing. Low or suboptimal stores of iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D are some examples of nutrients that can lead to low energy if not looked after.
Insulin resistance
Highly processed foods, family predisposition, and lack of daily movement all increase the chance of developing insulin resistance. The “low down” on insulin resistance is that your body must work harder to process sugar from foods. This leads to issues maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and leads to nasty energy crashes. Diet and lifestyle have a huge impact on how well insulin works!
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmunity happens when the body’s defense system (the immune system), which is supposed to protect you from germs and diseases, mistakenly starts attacking your own healthy cells instead. This mix-up can happen for many reasons, like genetics, infections, stress, or environmental triggers. The immune system might attack different parts of the body, such as the joints (as in rheumatoid arthritis), the thyroid (as in Hashimoto’s disease), or even the skin (as in psoriasis). Your body is attacking itself, so is it any wonder this leads to feeling tired?! Autoimmune diseases are more common in women and often go undiagnosed for years. Low energy is one of the top symptoms that shows up with autoimmune disease.
Thyroid dysfunction
Thyroid dysfunction is very common in women, especially as we age. It’s so important to get a full thyroid workup done (not just TSH!) to evaluate for any issues with your thyroid gland. Low energy, hair loss, and cold hands + feet are a few symptoms that you might experience when your thyroid needs some support.
Poor sleep QUALITY
Even if you’re getting enough hours of sleep, poor sleep quality can still leave you feeling drained. Sleep apnea is being diagnosed more frequently every year, making it a growing concern. But beyond medical conditions, your sleep environment plays a huge role in sleep quality. Limiting screen time before bed, keeping your room as dark as possible (blackout curtains for the win!), and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule can all make a big difference.
Want to dig deeper?
If you’ve been struggling with low energy and aren’t getting the answers you need, don’t settle for ‘normal’ lab results that don’t explain how you feel. Fatigue is your body’s way of signaling that something deeper is going on. By identifying the root causes, you can start reclaiming your energy and feeling like yourself again. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I use comprehensive testing and personalized protocols to help women uncover the real reasons behind their fatigue and restore their energy. If you’re ready to take the next step, I offer 1:1 naturopathic consultations designed to help you feel vibrant and energized again. Click here to book your session today!