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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to know why I feel so tired/ill all the time!!

234 replies

Bamboozle30001 · 12/09/2026 18:22

I'm 41, 5ft 7in 12 stone and I strength train for half an hour 4 days a week. I do under 20k steps due to being a cleaner 5 days a week. I eat very well and log my food on myfitnesspal.

Last week doctors thought my gallbladder was inflamed but, bloods, urine and a further physical exam all came back fine. Then why for the love of God am I am ALWAYS tired?Energy drinks or black coffee do nothing. I sleep for 8 hours.

I'd had a previous blood test a few weeks back as I suspected perimenopause but apart from high reading of b12...which I have no idea where that came from as I don't eat much in the way of the foods mentioned that are fortified, or take vitamin supplements either. I do have fibroids, but still I constantly feel tired and just generally unwell. Like the feeling that you're coming down with a cold, just run down all the bastard time.

Would it be worth getting a private doctor and see if there's any other tests or something because I am fed up of feeling like this.

OP posts:
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Original poster
Bamboozle30001 · 13/09/2026 08:54

I was told liver and gallbladder was fine last week at hospital

OP posts:
Original poster
Bamboozle30001 · 13/09/2026 08:54

In answer to ferritin levels and t4
My results for ferritin was 19
My tsh was 2.19 and my t4 was 11.2

OP posts:
Bringemout · 13/09/2026 08:53

Ask for your ferritin levels, the NHS will tell you that you are fine when you are basically anaemic. I feel like shit when ferritin is under 30.

MagicUser1 · 13/09/2026 08:52

The nhs app allows you to see your actual levels from blood tests. Low vit d and iron can give symptoms long before the nhs will tell you to take supplements.

Original poster
Bamboozle30001 · 13/09/2026 08:49

I weight train whilst son is at school. I am trying to lose the few pounds I have put on since being on mounjaro injections and wegovy tablets but I am fit and have a slight muscular frame but i guess am skinny/fat. I will drink less water. I'm not feeling hungry today but will try to eat some breakfast.
I clean for 2 hours in the mornings and 2 hours in the afternoon, so its not an all day thing like a real cleaner.

OP posts:
beaglescurleduplikebagels · 13/09/2026 08:29

Why are you drinking so much water? 4 litres a day is insane and really not good for you.

jelliebelly · 13/09/2026 08:26

if it is something physical e.g. gallbladder the GP will find it eventually. I’d cut back on the amount of water as that must be literally washing away all the goodness you are eating! Supplements may help - vitamin D and iron are the obvious ones for tiredness/fatigue. How on earth do you find the energy to weight train if you’re sleeping at 7pm?

Mysticguru · 13/09/2026 08:24

Sorry I pressed too soon,
I think you may have overloaded and over stimulated your self and have kidney strain as well as caffeine overload with the energy drinks and coffee. Not forgetting the insulin spikes. Cut everything out and drink 2.5 litres a day 3 if you're active and see if there's a difference in a week. I'd also check out the protein content in your diet.

Mysticguru · 13/09/2026 08:18

Firstly OP you're overweight and your BMI is showing that. Sugary energy drinks spike insulin. 4 litres of water a day seems excessive too. Kidneys could be overworking.
So there's 2 things that can be changed without too much disruption. To reduce weight you could think about a cal deficit diet. Cal vs protein will give you energy and protect muscle mass. Also eating in a 6 hour window would also help the body use up any visceral fat stored in the liver and stomach cavity and eventually target subcutaneous fat.

Binfire · 13/09/2026 07:59

Can you ask for a print out of the bloods from your GP and run them through chat GPT and ask it what might be causing the fatigue? It’s very helpful in this way. All your results should also be on the NHS app if you have it.
Hope you can get to the bottom of it.

IAmInTheHouseSidney · 13/09/2026 07:58

Did they test your liver function?

notcomfortable · 13/09/2026 07:52

Iheartmysmart · 12/09/2026 20:18

That is utter bollocks about low ferritin levels not causing any symptoms.

My ferritin was 5 back in January with normal haemoglobin. I had severe iron deficiency without anaemia. I was utterly exhausted, suffering from palpitations and an erratic heartbeat, my hair was falling out by the handful, I had constant cracks at the corners of my mouth, it felt like insects were crawling on my skin all the time, and I’d lay in bed and cry because restless legs were making my life a misery.

I had an iron infusion and felt better within just a few weeks. I have a life now rather than just an existence. The private haematologist I saw said the NHS is abysmal at treating low ferritin levels and it can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Have you actually seen your blood test results OP. What’s considered ‘normal’ can often be far away from optimal.

Agree. I am exhausted
I can wake up and be back asleep within an hour
Going to the supermarket leaves me needing a nap afterwards
My ferritin has come back as 2. I also have an under active thyroid

Original poster
Bamboozle30001 · 13/09/2026 07:45

Ok I'll drop a litre today. I don't eat much sugar. Im still convinced theres something going on with my gallbladder as it hurts still.

OP posts:
Thecows · 12/09/2026 21:10

Iheartmysmart · 12/09/2026 20:18

That is utter bollocks about low ferritin levels not causing any symptoms.

My ferritin was 5 back in January with normal haemoglobin. I had severe iron deficiency without anaemia. I was utterly exhausted, suffering from palpitations and an erratic heartbeat, my hair was falling out by the handful, I had constant cracks at the corners of my mouth, it felt like insects were crawling on my skin all the time, and I’d lay in bed and cry because restless legs were making my life a misery.

I had an iron infusion and felt better within just a few weeks. I have a life now rather than just an existence. The private haematologist I saw said the NHS is abysmal at treating low ferritin levels and it can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Have you actually seen your blood test results OP. What’s considered ‘normal’ can often be far away from optimal.

Totally agree

SummerHolsFinished · 12/09/2026 20:26

How much sugar do you eat? I cut sugar and upf out of my diet and I feel amazing. So much more energy. So much happier!

Iheartmysmart · 12/09/2026 20:18

That is utter bollocks about low ferritin levels not causing any symptoms.

My ferritin was 5 back in January with normal haemoglobin. I had severe iron deficiency without anaemia. I was utterly exhausted, suffering from palpitations and an erratic heartbeat, my hair was falling out by the handful, I had constant cracks at the corners of my mouth, it felt like insects were crawling on my skin all the time, and I’d lay in bed and cry because restless legs were making my life a misery.

I had an iron infusion and felt better within just a few weeks. I have a life now rather than just an existence. The private haematologist I saw said the NHS is abysmal at treating low ferritin levels and it can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Have you actually seen your blood test results OP. What’s considered ‘normal’ can often be far away from optimal.

WildFatball · 12/09/2026 20:06

Bamboozle30001 · 12/09/2026 18:54

Yep I drink 4litres a day of water. I make sure to.eat enough protein and healthy fats such as avocado,nut butter etc. I dont believe I am exposed to much. Just spraying tables and wiping down and mopping floors. I sleep minimum 7 hours.

Show quote history

4 litres of water a day!!! Is that a joke. No wonder you are exhausted. Jesus, drink less water and you'll probably feel a lot better.

EricTheHalfASleeve · 12/09/2026 20:00

4L of water a day is way more than you need. Adding hydration sachets to a normal diet will likely give you too much salt - depending on what's in the sachets.
Mumsnet is obsessed with ferritin levels but there is very little evidence that low ferritin without anaemia (low haemoglobin) causes symptoms or that treating it makes any difference.
Resting/sleeping too much is a common mistake and often makes people feel worse.
Honestly - a busy physical job, a 5 year old & strength training would tire me out. If routine blood tests are normal it's very unlikely there is a disease causing this.

LeoDiCapricorn · 12/09/2026 19:58

I agree my Ferritin was 17 but I was told it was within range. I was completely exhausted and pushed for more answers. They did prescribe iron supplements in the end. It’s only been a week so I’m not really much better yet.
DONT let them fob you off with this.

mumofbun · 12/09/2026 19:53

The only thing I've found that consistently has a positive impact on my energy is hydration sachets/tablets. I know you say you drink 4L of water but I find the electrolytes make the difference

TheJuryIsOut · 12/09/2026 19:49

Agree that you need to know your exact ferritin levels, my doctors will say it's normal if it's over 13 but research says you can have symptoms at anything below 50 (ish, I could be wrong with the exact number)

Tink3rbell30 · 12/09/2026 19:41

Ask for your actual ferritin level as the NHS ranges are beyond a joke.

bunny6767 · 12/09/2026 19:30

I had this and I was in perimenopause. Around the same age x

Mooseylooseyloo · 12/09/2026 19:29

Did they test your hormones?

Original poster
Bamboozle30001 · 12/09/2026 19:02

Sorry im going to sleep now. Im exhausted. Poor DH will have to do bedtime after letting me rest all day and him having a full day with our very energetic 5 year old.

OP posts: