When do you think 'feeling tired' a lot becomes something you go to the doctor about?

[loverstryst]

I'm 43 with a 2 year old DS. I work the equivalent of 3.5 days a week from home, but odd hours to be able to spend maximum time with DS, I do a lot of stuff with him and other kids; I get up v early to write fiction; I exercise 3 times a week...I have a fab DH but I def do more around house.

I say all this to give a picture of my RL.

I am really tired A LOT. I go to bed early and sleep through and some days I feel so tired by mid morning. It's never bad enough not to function but functioning does not feel like any fun.

I had bloods done in November which showdd
Ok thyroid but v low ferritin/iron so I take iron pills. I m
Perimenopausal.

But I can't bear how tired I feel. Is this how life is for women with this sort of life in 40s or should I investigate? And if so, what else can they do?

[QuietNinjaTardis]

Don't know I'm afraid. I feel the same as you all the time. I always have broken sleep though I can normally get back to sleep reasonably quickly. My mum says I'm the same as her and I was 'born tired' sorry not very helpful but you're not alone.

[nomadwantshome]

It will be your low ferritin if they haven't found anything else. Do you know what the value was. The nhs ranges apparently are very wide and you should be on about 80 if I remember rightly. I was on 22 but apparently within range. I started taking spatone (more easily absorbed and better for your tummy). It took a good month or more to feel better. I'm sure it was that.

[nomadwantshome]

Oh to add, iron tablets sometimes are not well absorbed. I take my spatone - which is liquid form - with orange juice (vit c good for absorbing iron)

[loverstryst]

Hi

My ferritin was about 4 (I think - cant remember exactly and not at home to check) I take ferrous fumerate pills - hair stopped shedding so that's good but still tired. Much worse first few days of period

[nomadwantshome]

Blimey that is LOW! No wonder you're exhausted. How long have you been on the iron tablets? I would ask for a re-test and see how your levels are now. And start researching how to get your iron stores back up. Periods are notorious for depleting iron levels especially if they're heavy. I remember one time on the second day of my period, feeling too exhausted to get up to go to bed, even though I desperately wanted to.

[loverstryst]

Been on them for about 3ish weeks

Yes, good idea. I'll ask for a retest

I am eating the right foods etc - trying to replenish iron stores. V little else I can do

[nomadwantshome]

Maybe with a value that low it might take a few months to start feeling right again. Defo keep on with the iron suppliments, good luck!

[Twosugarsplease]

Can I just say... You have a very busy lifestyle, I am almost 40 with a 3 and 1/2 yr old, I'm a stay at home mum for now, til he starts school, have 3 other dc's (teens) I'm knackered .
I should get tested too, I've told kids, dh, I'm going to need some support housework wise, which is hopefully soon, otherwise I'll be on my knees.
I find eating a nutritional breakfast sets you up for the the morning, and again at lunch. Brown bread, weetabix, first thing always does the trick.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Loverstryst

I would get your thyroid levels looked at againand by a specialist this time around too. Many GPs are not up to speed or at all knowledgeable on such issues at all; this may well be why you are tired.

//www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index.html - this is a useful website.

[Jestrin]

I would also go back. 4 is very low. You should find out how/why its low like that. When I read your post I immediately thought thyroid too.

[LadyMedea]

Give the iron time to work.... When you next get your bloods done ask for B12 test as well. It's not normally on the standard blood panel but should be no problem. Low B12 is a common cause of tiredness.

[racingheart]

Have you tried Floradix? It's another liquid form iron supplement. Bit expensive but works far more quickly and effectively imho than the tablets. I'm always getting low iron and also feel shattered a lot without doing half what you do.

Can you let something go until your health is better? Is the fiction for fun, for you, or are you tied to a deadline? If not, I'd get the sleep. You can always go back to it once your levels are back to normal. Long term, your health is more important.

[racingheart]

Anecdotal but worth looking into - a child in DS1's class had chronic anemia. turns out she had a milk or wheat intolerance. (Sorry, i forget which.) but once the food was cut from her diet she became well again quite quickly. Worth considering.

[bigTillyMint]

I am perimenopausal and the last time tested, iron levels at about 9! I am taking ferrous sulphate, but it just makes my poos black (and constipated if I take the recommended 3 a day) and my iron levels never seem to improve. I am not a veggie, but I don't eat much red meat though I eat loads of leafy greens! I think I will give the Floradix a go.

I did feel knackered a lot of the time (and was bleeding really heavily) until I started on the HRT about 2 years ago. Feel fine now But this might not be an option for you.

[kickassmomma]

I am always tired!! I'm 21 live with my mum and dd. dd has medal problem which affects her sleep so I get up with her at night and mum has her in he morning til 10am! I could sleep 12 hours and still feel shattered! I've had my bloods done before but came back fine. Have you tred herbal remedies to help aid natural sleep? Also I take pro plus tablets to boost caffeine in my system! Take a few hours to work though :/