What's a "normal" level of fatigue?

[Namechangefail123]

I'm generally iron deficient and have had hypothyroidism (12 years and counting since I was diagnosed for both).

The truth is not I don't know anymore how I should feel, or what's normal and what isn't. I don't absorb iron in my, but my trust can only give me an infusion if my reserves are completely depleted (I'm going to see a top specialist in a few weeks, so hopefully we can come up with a better management plan).

The truth is I'm ALWAYS tired, a mix of mental and physical. I force myself to work,and to exercise, but it gets to a point (normally mid afternoon) where I'd rather just watch TV or sit on the sofa and do nothing. Is that normal? I feel the fatigue on my shoulders if that makes sense. No amount/type of food can perk me up.

Maybe it's just the reality of someone who works FT, has a dog, a cat, a toddler , three other PT DC, and exercises for about 6 hours on a weekly basis? I really struggle to understand what's normal, and what's just my chronic conditions.

I think different people will have different symptoms even if markers are the same. At my worst I needed a transfusion, but I could still follow my normal routine.

I don't get any of the brittle hair/nails, but I get the neurological and digestive symptoms (which aren't as common).

medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003088.htm

According to the above what I feel is indeed classified as "fatigue". It's just a term though.

It sounds to me op, that what you have is not normal by quite some way.
But neither is it what some people suffer.

I think you need to be guided by medical people.

It might also be adrenal fatigue, which doctors don't often recognise but it exists. Read Adrenal Fatigue: the 21st Century Stress Syndrome by James Wilson. Full of very practical things to do to combat the sort of fatigue that comes with running on adrenaline for too long.

It's a great question though, despite the controversy!

Same here in many ways.

I work part time, walk the dog and do exercise (tai chi). Share the house work, have adult children.

I have no motivation. Could happily retire. Could sit on the sofa all day.

Which is fine, but isn't me. I always did. loads of community work, am creative, an ideas person.

Every now and then an idea sparks and I have to slap it down. I save my energy for daily basics like brushing my teeth.

Fibro and hypothyroid here. And Menopause perhaps.

It does sound as if something else is going on. Have you ever been tested for coeliac disease?

Yes, I've had all the tests under the sun. I do have a genetic condition that means I don't absorb iron. My local trust is very pants about it, and simply go "computer says no" regarding my treatment. I have an irrational fear that the professor I'm seeing in London will tell me to "bogger off" because I can live a "normal" life.