Why do I feel tired all the time? 3 reasons for fatigue

We all feel tired sometimes but when feeling tired becomes a daily experience — no matter how much sleep you get — then it’s worth considering what could be going on. Fatigue, or feeling tired, is most likely caused by something from one of these categories:

• a physical health condition
• a lifestyle choice
• a mental health issue (e.g. depression, fatigue)

Here, we’ll take a brief look at each category — and what you can do about it.

Why do I feel tired all the time?

Feeling tired (fatigue) could be a symptom of an underlying condition such as:

• anaemia — not having enough iron in your blood
• underactive thyroid — when you have too little of the thyroid hormone thyroxine
• coeliac disease — when you are allergic to gluten
• diabetes — when your body can’t metabolise glucose. This common condition also causes thirst, a need to go to the toilet frequently, and weight loss
• problems with your liver or kidneys

InstantScripts has just launched the “Why am I tired?” test. This is a blood test that helps identify some of the conditions causing fatigue. The test measures things like:

• iron levels
• electrolytes
• fasting glucose
• vitamin B12
• kidney function

Lifestyle choices can cause tiredness

Most mild fatigue is not due to an underlying condition. You might not be getting enough sleep. You might have a poor diet. Or they may be another lifestyle factor you could tweak.

To combat mild fatigue, try one of these tips:

• Eat a little, more often — smaller meals more frequently can smooth out your energy levels. Try having more protein, and less refined carbohydrates
• Exercise — a little goes a long way (even a 15 min walk)
• Lose weight — carrying excess weight can strain your body and cause fatigue
• Reduce or manage stress — delegate some tasks, or practice mindfulness/deep breathing
• Cut down your caffeine intake — too much caffeine will affect your sleep
• Drink less alcohol — alcohol can affect sleep quality, too
• Drink more water — dehydration is a known energy thief

Mental health can cause tiredness

Always consult a doctor if your fatigue is more than mild, lasts for a long time and you have other symptoms such as:

• weight loss
• pain in your muscles or joints
• blood loss from your bowel or heavier periods
• loss of appetite

Sometimes, fatigue is not the result of a physical problem, but a psychological one.

If you feel depressed or overly anxious, talk with a doctor as soon as you can. Fatigue is a symptom of both depression and anxiety. You can request a telehealth consultation with one of our Australian-registered doctors from anywhere in Australia, seven days a week.