Are you feeling unusually tired lately? Are you struggling to finish the day without needing a nap? Fatigue is one of those common symptoms that affects many people, and so it can be difficult to pinpoint an underlying cause. Understanding why we are feeling drained requires taking into account both physical and mental health elements and recognizing some potential triggers. This blog post will look at the various reversible causes of fatigue, revealing common culprits such as thyroid issues or blood deficiencies and we will look at how diagnostics, like blood tests and ultrasounds, can help you identify a cause.
Anaemia and Iron Deficiency – a cause of Fatigue
Anaemia (low haemoglobin) and Iron Deficiency are two leading causes of fatigue. These deficiencies can be identified through the Vitalscan blood test. When iron and haemoglobin levels drop too low, they can cause fatigue and other symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, or lightheadedness. Without the proper haemoglobin levels, cells in the body become deprived of oxygen and our energy outputs are reduced significantly. If your doctor knows that you have anaemia or an iron deficiency, they can look for possible causes and commence suitable medical treatment.
Thyroid Issues – Symptoms to Look Out For
Sometimes fatigue can be caused by problems with thyroid function. Your thyroid function (levels of thyroid hormone) can easily be checked with the Vitalscan blood test.
In people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, which makes metabolism slow down and causes feelings of low energy and excessive sleepiness. Other symptoms include weight gain, chills and hair loss. Thyroid ultrasound is often recommended to look for changes of an autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis).
In people with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), the metabolism speeds up. This overactivity can lead to fatigue as well as difficulty sleeping. Other symptoms include weight loss, palpitations, hot sweats and anxiety. Thyroid ultrasound may show a single thyroid nodule, multiple thyroid nodules or a goitre (enlarged thyroid gland), or an autoimmune thyroiditis (Graves disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). Your scan may also be normal.
Once hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism is diagnosed, and an ultrasound has pointed to a possible cause, your doctor can prescribe the appropriate treatment to manage your thyroid hormone levels and symptoms.
Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to fatigue and other medical issues such as bone loss, and muscle aches or weakness. Detecting vitamin D deficiency early on can enable you to start effective treatment and prevent health complications.
Diabetes and fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of diabetes. Other symptoms include excessive thirst and urinating frequently. Our Vitalscan blood test includes HbA1c which measures your average blood sugar over the last 2-3 months. This information can be invaluable to help your doctor investigate whether or not you may have diabetes
In summary, fatigue is a common and often debilitating symptom that can have serious underlying causes, from anaemia and iron deficiency to thyroid issues and diabetes. Knowing the causes is the first step in treating the problem and getting back to feeling energetic and refreshed. All of these conditions, as well as deficiency in vitamin D, can be evaluated using the Vitalscan blood test and, if there is an over or underactive thyroid, an ultrasound of the thyroid. If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue, don’t wait any longer – get your tests today and start on the road to regaining your energy.
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