Understanding Fatigue: More Than Just Feeling Tired

Fatigue is more than just feeling a little worn out—it’s a persistent lack of energy that doesn’t improve with rest. It can affect every aspect of life, from work performance to personal relationships. In fact, chronic fatigue is one of the most common reasons people seek medical advice. Studies suggest that up to 20% of people experience prolonged fatigue, and around 1 in 10 visits to a GP are related to it.

Symptoms of Fatigue

If you're dealing with chronic fatigue, you might be experiencing:

• Constant exhaustion, even after a full night's sleep

• Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and memory issues

• Unexplained aches and muscle weakness

• Mood changes, such as anxiety or low mood

• Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea

• Sensitivity to cold or temperature fluctuations

• Frequent headaches or migraines

• Unrefreshing sleep or trouble staying asleep

  
  

Causes of Fatigue

Fatigue is not a diagnosis in itself—it’s a symptom of an underlying imbalance. Some of the most common root causes include:

• Thyroid dysfunction – Low thyroid function (even if your GP says your results are “normal”) can cause fatigue, weight changes, and brain fog.

• Poor gut health – If you're not digesting and absorbing nutrients properly, your energy levels will suffer.

• Blood sugar imbalances – Energy crashes and cravings could signal your body is struggling to regulate glucose.

• Chronic stress and adrenal dysfunction – Long-term stress can lead to adrenal burnout, leaving you feeling depleted.

• Nutrient deficiencies – Low iron, B12, magnesium, and vitamin D levels can all contribute to fatigue.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction – The mitochondria are your cells' energy factories; when they aren’t functioning properly, fatigue follows.

• Toxin overload – Exposure to environmental toxins can put extra stress on your body, leading to fatigue.

• Sleep disorders & circadian disruption – Poor sleep from sleep apnea, low melatonin, or inconsistent sleep patterns can interfere with energy recovery.

• Inflammatory & autoimmune conditions – Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis can all be underlying causes.

What GPs May Do

If you visit a GP about fatigue, the standard approach usually includes:

• A basic blood test (often just a full blood count and TSH)

• Checking for anaemia or obvious deficiencies

• A recommendation to improve sleep, manage stress, or exercise more

While this can help rule out serious conditions, many people are left without answers or are told their results are "normal"—even when they don’t feel well.

My Approach - How a Nutritional Therapist Can Help

When struggling with fatigue, it’s crucial to go beyond surface-level fixes and uncover what’s really going on in your body. As a nutritional therapist, I take a root-cause approach, focusing on personalised, holistic strategies to restore energy levels. This includes:

• Identifying Nutrient Deficiencies – Fatigue is often linked to deficiencies in key nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, folate, magnesium, and vitamin D. Through dietary assessment and functional testing, we can pinpoint exactly what your body is lacking and create a targeted plan to replenish these essential nutrients.

• Optimising Nutrition – Ensuring a balanced diet with enough protein, healthy fats, and fibre to support stable energy levels and overall well-being.

• Restoring Gut Health – Improving digestion and nutrient absorption, as poor gut health can prevent your body from accessing the vital nutrients it needs for energy production.

• Balancing Blood Sugar – Preventing energy crashes by stabilising glucose levels through diet and lifestyle changes.

• Supporting Detoxification – Reducing toxin exposure and enhancing the liver’s natural detox pathways to ease the burden on your system.

• Managing Stress & Sleep – Implementing practical strategies for stress reduction and improving sleep quality for better recovery.

• Targeted Supplementation – Using high-quality, evidence-based supplements to address deficiencies and enhance mitochondrial function, which plays a crucial role in energy production.

By identifying what’s missing and addressing imbalances at the root, we can work together to restore your energy levels and help you feel your best—without relying on quick fixes or masking symptoms.

Functional Testing for Fatigue

One of the most effective ways to get to the root cause of fatigue is through functional testing. Standard blood tests often miss key imbalances, but advanced lab testing can provide deeper insights. Some of the tests I offer include:

• Full Thyroid Panel – This includes TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies, giving a more complete picture than the standard TSH test.

• Comprehensive Stool Testing – This identifies gut infections, bacterial imbalances, parasites, and digestive insufficiencies that may be affecting energy levels.

• Nutrient Status Testing – To check for deficiencies in iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, and others.

• Hormonal & Adrenal Testing – To assess stress hormone levels and adrenal function.

• Toxin & Heavy Metal Testing – To uncover hidden toxins that may be affecting mitochondrial function and overall energy.

Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better

If you’ve been struggling with fatigue and haven’t been able to find answers, I want you to know that there is hope. Your body has the ability to heal when given the right support. Whether it’s your thyroid, digestion, blood sugar, or something else entirely, we can work together to get to the root cause and restore your energy.

If any of this resonates with you—or if you know someone who’s struggling—I’d love to help. Reach out for a chat, and let’s explore how we can get your energy back on track.

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