Why am I so exhausted?!

[Randomname83738]

I am absolutely shattered all the time and I’m not sure why! I have a two year old, he’s pretty easy going. Can be reasoned with, doesn’t have massive meltdowns although of course have the day to day managing of him, making sure he’s dressed, fed, entertained etc.

husband and I both work full time and split childcare and other things fairly 50/50. Little one doesn’t sleep through so we take it in turns doing night wakings with him (usually 2 or 3 a night), but means I get a full nights sleep every other night, although need to get up at 6 for work. My job is office work (but wfh) so not physically tiring! DS only just stopped breastfeeding so thought I’d have more energy again, but nope!

why am I absolutely knackered?! Is this normal???

I also rarely go to be later than 9/10pm!!! So it’s not that…

I need to get some energy back as it’s getting me down being so tired all the time!

have you had blood tests?
Any other symptoms, like feeling cold alot, thinning hair, anxiety, low libido? (all
symptoms of hypothyroidism which often starts after pregnancy and first symptom constant fatigue.)

Working full time and a poor nights sleep every other night I think would be enough to induce fatigue. To be safe maybe speak to gp for blood test to rule out anything else contributing.
Being sat down all day is quite fatiguing also, is there chance to move about regularly? Can you fit a bit of exercise into your week? (If you are not doing this already). This might help with energy?

Oh my goodness, yes definitely feeling cold all the time (literally bought a new winter dressing gown last week despite it being spring). SUPER low libido (poor husband!!!) which was always high pre-baby… I always thought the hair thinning was natural postpartum and the libido was because I was still breastfeeding. I wouldn’t have even thought to take this to a gp but I will get myself booked in!!!

Sorry I meant to quote you in my response above!

I'm always shattered and all my blood tests show as fine so I have absolutely no idea.

I assume its being tired out from my brain (I have ADHD).

I’ll get myself some blood tests to rule out any medical things but it could be those other factors you’ve mentioned. I take LO to swimming lessons once a week but it’s mostly slowly dragging him round the pool singing wind the bobbin up, not very intensive!! 🤣 my husband is very supportive of anything like that so I might suggest carving a bit of time to do something a bit more for me, especially now the weather is a bit nicer. Hoping that will help too! Hate feeling so flat all the time!

was yours post-pregnancy too or have you always been exhausted?

I don’t know, and yes definitely have blood tests, but I feel the same and have had lots of bloods- all clear. I would say you have a very busy life working full time with a two year old and probably have very little down time.

Waking 2-3 times a night every other night for over 2 years would make anyone tired!

Definitely blood tests needed but a GP might only test TSH for thyroid function when you could do with T4 and T3 tested. Private testing is available, look at Blue Horizon and others.
Also get your B12 level and don’t accept “it’s fine” you need to know the figure. Also folic acid level as you need these two together to work.

Gosh, this is the best he’s ever been too! Until about 8 months ago it was hourly/2 hourly and I had to do the majority of the wakings because he wanted to feed back to sleep on me (I was working full time then too!!). I think because it is so much better now, I feel like I should have loads more energy than I did then but I suppose it is still a lot of disrupted sleep!

i want to try and get a handle on my energy levels because we’re going to try for no. 2 in six months or so and that pregnancy exhaustion hits different!! 🫣

This is really helpful, thank you!

i had preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at the end of my pregnancy so not sure if that could have got my hormone levels a bit off kilter… I don’t know enough about it!

It’s tough isn’t it!!