Why am I so tired all the time? 11 Possible Reasons for Fatigue

Do you feel like you wake up every morning tired, no matter how early you go to bed, and feel like you have to drag yourself through your day, again and again, relying on your morning coffee, and your afternoon coffee to make it through the day?

This is more than just being sleepy, it’s a lack of energy that you just can’t seem to shake and it’s worse at this time of year when it gets dark so early. 

Fatigue is a common complaint I hear amongst my patients, and there are many reasons why someone might be experiencing ongoing tiredness. 

Here are some of the main reasons for fatigue. 

1. Vitamin D Deficiency

Many Canadians experience vitamin D deficiency, especially in the winter months. Not getting enough of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ can cause low energy and fatigue. You can find it in fish such as tuna and salmon, but most people should consider supplementing in the winter.

2. Vitamin B12 Deficiency

B12 deficiency is particularly common among vegetarians and vegans as it may be harder for some to get plant-based sources of vitamin B12.  The risk of B12 deficiency can be increased due to certain medications such as the birth control pill and medications for acid reflux. A blood test by your health care practitioner can determine if this is a factor for you. 

3. Gut Flora Imbalance

Imbalances in the gut flora, specifically candida overgrowth can manifest into fatigue and ‘brain fog’ as your body fights back against the yeast fungi. Other symptoms include digestive issues such as bloating and constipation, and irritability and mood swings, along with sugar cravings. 

4. Not Eating Enough

Many people who are busy and stressed, suffering from depression, or trying to lose weight end up not consuming enough calories in the day to keep themselves energized. Make sure you’re eating enough, and if you are trying to lose weight, consult a professional such as a nutritionist, personal trainer, or health care provider to make sure you are eating enough to stay healthy and energized while trying to achieve your goals.

5. Quality of Food 

Likewise, not eating the right food can impact your energy levels, especially if you are fueling up on processed foods, lots of carbohydrates and sugars, and not getting enough protein or healthy fats. Stick with whole foods and make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

6. Inflammation

Inflammation in the body is a common cause of fatigue, as it leaves your body running constantly trying to ‘fight off’ whatever is causing the inflammatory response. Inflammation arises mainly through eating inflammatory foods such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar, gluten, processed foods, and dairy, and can also arise from undiagnosed food intolerances. 

7. Dehydration

A LOT of people don’t drink enough fluids. It’s easy to get ‘used’ to being in a chronically dehydrated state when it’s actually affecting the efficiency with which your body operates. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, try adding an additional two glasses of water a day into your routine and see if that makes a difference. Thirst usually starts to occur when you are already dehydrated, so it’s not an accurate measure of whether or not you should drink. 

8. Chronic Sleep Deprivation 

Similarly, many people have gotten ‘used’ to getting poor quality or insufficient sleep. Practicing good sleep hygiene, such as going to bed at the same time every night, and limiting screen time before bed, can go a long way in restoring your energy levels. 

9. Low Iron Levels 

Insufficient iron levels impact your body’s ability to carry oxygen throughout your system, leading to fatigue. Women are more likely to experience low iron due to their menstrual cycles, as well as those who are vegetarian/vegan. 

10. Under Functioning Thyroid 

Under functioning thyroid is a lot more common than mainstream medicine categorizes. It’s estimated that around 12% of people have a poor functioning thyroid, and only 40% of those people are actually diagnosed. 

11. Poor Adrenal Function 

‘Adrenal Fatigue’ happens when your adrenal glands are chronically overworked. Typically this arises from chronic stress and the key indications are morning and afternoon fatigue, with feeling more wired at night and having trouble falling asleep. Testing of cortisol (the stress hormone) levels will assess this possibility. 

While there are many more causes for fatigue, these are the ones I see arise most often in otherwise healthy people. If you are battling with feeling constantly tired, seeing your health care provider can help you get back on track with stable energy levels so that you can conquer 2021.