Fatigue Management

We all had times where we are fatigued, but if fatigue is a constant worry there may be other reasons
besides work stress. By assessing your body individual stress response alongside other possible
reasons for prolonged fatigue, we can correct imbalances and give you back the energy you desire.
There may be several root causes as to why this may be happening, below are some of the most
common reasons why fatigue may be a bother in your life.

1) Thyroid Disease: Sluggish thyroid (hypothyroidism) affects many people in North America, and more
so as we age. The thyroid gland is the master of metabolism, temperature control and energy. If your
thyroid is not producing enough of your thyroid hormones, which affect every tissue in the body, your
body will not be producing enough energy for your needs. Signs of low thyroid function include; fatigue,
dry skin, slow digestion, joint pain, depression, change in the amount or texture of hair, low body
temperature, weight gain, and menstrual changes.

2) Diabetes/Insulin Resistance: Diet and lifestyle may be to blame for diabetes or insulin resistance, but
unfortunately, sometimes our genetics are the culprit. There are several different points in the pathway
leading to how your body absorbs sugar(glucose) from digestion, but if something it working against
you, you may not be getting that sugar into the cell to make energy for you. Common symptoms of
insulin resistance or diabetes include fatigue, dips in energy after meals, shakiness, headaches, frequent
urination, hungry often, and increased thirst.

3) Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. Iron, along with
other nutrients are vital for healthy red blood cell production, which carries our oxygen. Many individuals
are at risk for iron deficiency; vegans and vegetarians, menstruating women, women with heavy
periods, those who have digestive disorders that impair nutrient absorption, and pregnant women.
Symptoms of iron deficiency can include fatigue, easy bruising, hair loss, brittle nails, pale skin, and
shortness of breath.

4) Vitamin B12 Deficiency: for vegans or vegetarians, or even those who do not consume much red
meat, B12 deficiency can be very common. It is also depleted by several standard medications such as
antacids, metformin, or birth control pills. Vitamin B12 is needed to create DNA for red blood cell
synthesis. Low B12 commonly presents with fatigue anemia, peripheral neuropathies, and low
mood/depression.

5) Stress and Adrenal Fatigue: Above your kidneys are small glands that are responsible for secreting
some of your stress hormones. One of them, cortisol, is secreted constantly in times of stress. Over time
our adrenal glands cannot keep up with the demands that we are putting on it and cortisol secretion
declines. Common symptoms include; fatigue, weight gain, lack of concentration/focus, low blood
pressure, blood sugar changes.

6) Hormonal Imbalances: Whether at different stages in our life (menarche, menopause, post-
pregnancy, or ageing in general) our hormones can be imbalanced. We are constantly exposed to
chemicals in our daily environment, along with lifestyle choices, genetics and diet, our hormones can be
fighting against us when it comes to energy. Low testosterone in men causes a decrease in metabolism,
energy, and sex drive, and is a common hormonal reason for fatigue.

7) Mood Changes: Depression is a common reason behind low energy. Lack of motivation, interest in
things that previously were enjoyable, anxiety, sleep issues, sadness, and feelings of guilt. There may be
several reasons why depression is happening, including poor digestion, neurotransmitter imbalance,
hormonal imbalance, previous head injury, and stressful events.

8) Inflammation: Inflammation in the body is unfortunately not always specific to one area or system.
Many chronic diseases have shown to be caused by inflammation and worsening of disease symptoms,
such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, or diabetes. At the core of this is the need for healthy
digestion. The diversity of bacteria in our digestive system is immense, and with healthy bacterial
species, there is less likelihood of disease and overall inflammation.

Testing may include:

1) Hormonal Panel
2) Adrenal Stress Index
3) Iron or B12 testing
4) Thyroid panel
5) Diabetes markers
6) SIBO or Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis