I'm always tired!

The one thing that has been holding me back is the fact that I'm always tired. I've taken iron pills, I sleep at least 8 hours a day, I've tried everything! Have any of you guys ever encountered this?
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Replies

  • MegSchuy16
    MegSchuy16 Posts: 189 Member
    edited March 2016
    Yep, I'm that way too because I have lupus. Started drinking Lipton Green Tea with Dragonfruit and Melon. I used to hate tea, but now I love it. It keeps me full and awake. I also take a One A Day for Women with Energy, which also helps.
  • 50extra
    50extra Posts: 751 Member
    Yes but it usually is some factor of what I have been eating and how hard I am working, also what I do in the day. If I lay on the couch all day or sit at the computer all day I get tired. If I don't eat a nice breakfast, usually oatmeal, I get tired. If I don't eat enough carbs and workout a ton, I get tired. I can't see your diary, so I can't give you any of my opinions as to why you are.
  • 50extra
    50extra Posts: 751 Member
    And did you self medicate with the iron pills?
  • DoneWorking
    DoneWorking Posts: 247 Member
    There's probably a plethora of things that can cause this, and we can all speculate about this, that and the other thing with our non-professional guesses. Perhaps a visit to the doctor is in order?
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Talk to your dr?
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    The one thing that has been holding me back is the fact that I'm always tired. I've taken iron pills, I sleep at least 8 hours a day, I've tried everything! Have any of you guys ever encountered this?

    What has your doctor said?
  • 2snakeswoman
    2snakeswoman Posts: 655 Member
    I hope the iron pills were prescribed by a doctor. There's a form of anemia caused by too much iron, and it can kill.
  • cathed42
    cathed42 Posts: 88 Member
    I hope the iron pills were prescribed by a doctor. There's a form of anemia caused by too much iron, and it can kill.

    In your professional opinion?
  • TK6299
    TK6299 Posts: 502 Member
    Check with your doc... have your thyroid checked.
  • 50extra
    50extra Posts: 751 Member
    cathed42 wrote: »
    I hope the iron pills were prescribed by a doctor. There's a form of anemia caused by too much iron, and it can kill.

    In your professional opinion?

    Self medicating with Iron is not a good thing as it can cover up more serious health problems, that is why I asked at the start. I am not a professional either, I just worked in a drug store/pharmacy when I was younger and listened to the pharmacist preach that when people were looking to buy them.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Agree with others that say see your doctor. Also have you recently gone very low carb and continue to workout rigorously? This could also make you feel very tired.
  • MissMonicaC4
    MissMonicaC4 Posts: 279 Member
    I would see a doctor for sure. But for me a b50 supplement, vitamin d and fish oil has been improving things. Im also trying to drink more water.
  • serenityfrye
    serenityfrye Posts: 360 Member
    Yep. I discovered that the only thing that helps me is to get closer to 10 hours of sleep and time it so that I'm sleeping when my body naturally makes best use of its sleep cycles. Doesn't happen on weekdays but on weekends it helps a ton. I've had all my bloodwork run multiple times and it always comes back normal. Docs just say "you're naturally low energy - get lots of sleep. " in the meantime I just do what I can. Sometimes going for a jog is energizing - on those days I push myself to be more active. Some days I'm beat by dinnertime just getting through my day and those days I rest. Best wishes to you!
  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    50extra wrote: »
    And did you self medicate with the iron pills?

    Nope they were suggested by my doctor!

  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    edited March 2016
    There's probably a plethora of things that can cause this, and we can all speculate about this, that and the other thing with our non-professional guesses. Perhaps a visit to the doctor is in order?

    I've broached the subject multiple times with different doctors and no one can figure it out. It's odd!

  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    tk6299 wrote: »
    Check with your doc... have your thyroid checked.

    I did have that checked once but may have it checked again. Thanks!

  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    Yep. I discovered that the only thing that helps me is to get closer to 10 hours of sleep and time it so that I'm sleeping when my body naturally makes best use of its sleep cycles. Doesn't happen on weekdays but on weekends it helps a ton. I've had all my bloodwork run multiple times and it always comes back normal. Docs just say "you're naturally low energy - get lots of sleep. " in the meantime I just do what I can. Sometimes going for a jog is energizing - on those days I push myself to be more active. Some days I'm beat by dinnertime just getting through my day and those days I rest. Best wishes to you!

    It definitely sounds like we are in a similar situation. It sucks that they can't figure out what the exact deal is! Thanks for your support and words :)
  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    The one thing that has been holding me back is the fact that I'm always tired. I've taken iron pills, I sleep at least 8 hours a day, I've tried everything! Have any of you guys ever encountered this?

    What has your doctor said?

    Not a whole lot of anything. Like I said in another comment, I've talked to multiple doctors and no one can figure it out exactly. I drink unsweetened iced coffees daily and even those done help at all. I was taking the iron pills at my doctors request but have since stopped since they weren't helping.
  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    edited March 2016
    The one thing that has been holding me back is the fact that I'm always tired. I've taken iron pills, I sleep at least 8 hours a day, I've tried everything! Have any of you guys ever encountered this?

    Talk to your doctor. If you're sleeping 8 hours a day and you're always tired then there's something else going on.
    50extra wrote: »
    And did you self medicate with the iron pills?

    Nope they were suggested by my doctor!

    Did your doctor schedule a follow-up appointment so your iron levels could be retested after supplementing a while? If not then make one.

    There are so many reasons your sleep quality could be affected or you could need more sleep. It might be serious. It might be not-so-serious. You need to see a doctor.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Have you had a sleep study? Sleep apnea does not always show up in blood work or can be mistaken for anemia (low blood oxygenation).
  • browneyes1520
    browneyes1520 Posts: 94 Member
    I too have spent years being exhausted despite adequate sleep and perfectly normal blood work. As a last ditch effort my doctor finally tested my parathyroid hormone levels. Turns out that they are high. She is testing me again in 6 months to see if they go any higher and we will go from there but at this moment it looks like I have hyperparathyroidism which, coincidentally, has a lot of the same symptoms of hypothyroidism. Not saying this is what u have but it may be worth a check if you've never had your parathyroid hormone levels checked.
  • angfirst
    angfirst Posts: 47 Member
    When I woke up a little earlier each day to exercise, I found myself always tired. I had to switch my workouts to the evening, and that made all the difference. Is there anything you can switch up in your day to see if it is affecting your energy levels?
  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    The one thing that has been holding me back is the fact that I'm always tired. I've taken iron pills, I sleep at least 8 hours a day, I've tried everything! Have any of you guys ever encountered this?

    Talk to your doctor. If you're sleeping 8 hours a day and you're always tired then there's something else going on.
    50extra wrote: »
    And did you self medicate with the iron pills?

    Nope they were suggested by my doctor!

    Did your doctor schedule a follow-up appointment so your iron levels could be retested after supplementing a while? If not then make one.

    There are so many reasons your sleep quality could be affected or you could need more sleep. It might be serious. It might be not-so-serious. You need to see a doctor.

    I visit my doctor every two months or so but I feel that perhaps he is not taking it seriously. My levels have been retested and there was only a slight increase in my iron level after taking the pills for two months.

  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    Lizzy622 wrote: »
    Have you had a sleep study? Sleep apnea does not always show up in blood work or can be mistaken for anemia (low blood oxygenation).

    I have been considering that! I do have asthma so I'm not sure if that is somehow coming into play. I'll definitely bring that up at my next appointment. Thanks!
  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    I too have spent years being exhausted despite adequate sleep and perfectly normal blood work. As a last ditch effort my doctor finally tested my parathyroid hormone levels. Turns out that they are high. She is testing me again in 6 months to see if they go any higher and we will go from there but at this moment it looks like I have hyperparathyroidism which, coincidentally, has a lot of the same symptoms of hypothyroidism. Not saying this is what u have but it may be worth a check if you've never had your parathyroid hormone levels checked.

    Huh, I've never even heard of that but I'll definitely bring it up. I will try almost anything to not be tired all the time. Thanks!
  • kileedphelps
    kileedphelps Posts: 13 Member
    angfirst wrote: »
    When I woke up a little earlier each day to exercise, I found myself always tired. I had to switch my workouts to the evening, and that made all the difference. Is there anything you can switch up in your day to see if it is affecting your energy levels?

    I'm more active later in the day than in the morning so maybe if I reversed that, it might possibly help. I'll give it a go!
  • perkymommy
    perkymommy Posts: 1,642 Member
    Do you take vitamins? I have found iodine to be very helpful with energy levels. I have pure iodine in a liquid form. I also take liquid Vit D and Vit B.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    edited March 2016
    Back many moons ago, I did a lifestyle change in support of my husband (pretty much what I am doing right now). Rigorous weight lifting 3x/week, HIIT 3x/week, 6 meals a day of protein the size of your palm and complex carb the size of your fist and low fat. This was pre-internet (or beginnings of internet). I know the dinosaur age. Anyway, I didn't have this nifty tool to log my food. About 8 weeks in, I was so exhausted I wanted to cry every morning because I could barely get out of bed. I could hardly function and had to abandon the exercise and diet. I wasn't trying to lose weight, just be healthier.

    As I've picked it back up again, this time with logging I quickly realized I was NOT getting enough calories for the amount of physical exertion I was doing the first time around. Add working 3 jobs (one manual labor) and going to school full time with a 2 year old at home and it was a recipe for disaster. I'm still not a big eater, but I have pretty much doubled my portions to what I would have done without logging. I'm 8 weeks in again and so far so good. Also, I'm a 10hr a day sleeper as well. I rarely get it, but it's what my body naturally craves.
  • crazebeck
    crazebeck Posts: 70 Member
    I have fibromyalgia and am always sleepy, achy, etc. Now the meds they have me on made me gain every bit of the weight I lost back in just three months. Trying to find a way to bounce back.
  • JuliaHaleFitness
    JuliaHaleFitness Posts: 56 Member
    If a doctor has cleared you of medical reasons then take a look at what you eat and drink, and when you consume it. Energy is affected by so many things!! Make sure you are drinking enough water, balancing your meals every 3-4 hours with lean protein, vitamin rich veggies, complex carbs and healthy fats. Also, I'm a firm believer that a little bit of caffeine goes a long way andddd it canbe part of a healthy diet!