I don’t understand why I feel this way physically?

[Reallysuunday]

In some ways I think I’ve always felt like this but in recent times it’s been very extreme.

I am struggling to explain but I will try. It’s like an ongoing sense of tiredness. I can never be bothered to do much, ever. I am slim. My diet isn’t perfect but I eat veg and good food, despite eating chocolate etc too. I have a three year old and a single parent, I am often rushing around so feel I am mobile and get brief bits of exercise.

recently had blood tests and ferritin is 58 which I am told is good. They were expecting it to be very low when I explained tiredness. I just feel totally ‘meh’ all the time, even after decent sleep. I don’t get it? I’m 36.

How was your B12?

@AnneLovesGilbert it was bang on normal range

I’ve always suffered from fatigue and found out in later life that it’s most likely linked to the fact I’m neurodivergent. It’s a long shot, but could this be a possibility?

More likely, could it be Vitamin D deficiency?

@Uokhunnnn that could absolutely be the case for me… is there a link? Why would there be a link? Thanks for sharing as I would never have thought of this.

as for vit d, how could I check the levels?

Iron?

Nearly everyone in the UK has low vitamin D in winter because there isn't a lot of sunlight. More so for people with darker skin.

Have you had your thyroid levels checked? You might have an underactive thyroid.

What’s your mood and motivation like?

B12, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium levels, thyroid. All of these can impact fatigue levels off the top of my head.

@boulevardofbrokendreamss yes that’s what the ferritin levels check… stored iron.

You can buy a test in Boots now. Doctors are very reluctant to test for vitamin D because it’s expensive and so many people have a deficiency.

I felt like you and a few years ago decided to regularly take vit D, B12 or sometimes Complex B. And I also take half a tablet of ultra vitamin C and zinc effervescent.

im sure the vitamins C and zinc made a big difference to me though.

All sorts of things could effect your tiredness;

Too many carbs

The "wrong" amount of caffeine for you

Dehydration

Not enough / any excersize that raises your heart rate

Fighting off a virus, and your body is doing such a good job that you don't even realise

Getting fewer than four sleep cycles, every night

Darker days affecting your serotonin levels

Other hormonal imbalances

Pregnancy / being due on

Feeling bored with life

Enough sleep, but poor quality

Too much sleep

Vitamin / mineral deficiencies

Chronic fatigue syndrome.......

Ime though it's just having children and being older than you were. I saw a photo of myself pre children the other day, and literally didn't know who it was a photo of! Bleak, but true. You could do a big shop with the bags under my eyes.

There is definitely a link between fatigue and ND. For autistic people this is often due to sensory processing and also social performance demands. For ADHD it is often because they are cognitively "on" all the time.
If your fatigue is lifelong, then there is likely no physiological explanation like low iron or vit D. If it is sudden onset, then you need to look at other factors and possible triggers. Low mood, Covid or another viral infection, history of glandular fever etc. And there are also more serious conditions which come with fatigue but they would show in bloods - thyroid issues, auto-immune conditions, cancer etc.
Anxiety, depression and PTSD also present with fatigue and so does a sleep disorder.
Get your GP to rule out anything obvious and if fatigue persists, they can check if you fit referral criteria to a fatigue service.

Lots of similarities to you OP, feeling very tired and low energy, can't get myself motivated for work, I've got less patience with the kids and have a bit of a general grump.

I take a multi-vit and a double dose of vitamin D, try and get out on my lunch break for some air and a walk. The only time off I've had since July has been a 3 day break in October during which I was really unwell with a fever and snots.

It could just be you need a break from the norm, I think thats the case with me.

Also think I have a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder which can hit me hard in late october/early november.

It's tough at this time of year.

RE sleep, I went to bed early on friday and my wife (the darling that she is) let me have a lie in on Saturday morning so I got a good 10 hours but felt worse for it. Saturday night I had less sleep and woke up feeling a lot better. It's a bit of a mystery for me, I can't get sleep right.

How long have you noticed feeling like this?

Are you doing many things for you? Exercise, getting your nails done, seeing friends etc. I think some times we're so busy doing the day to day that we don't prioritise the things that make us feel good because we're too tired or have too many other things to do. As dull as it is, I've found I feel loads better with regular exercise so I prioritise that in my schedule.