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Original poster

Is it worth asking for a blood test for tiredness?

29 replies

WindyDayToday · 04/08/2025 14:16

I’m 56, am on HRT which seems to be the right combination and doses. I’m generally fit and healthy - eat well, not overweight, run and lift weights 3 times a week, average about 10k steps a day. I mostly sleep well but sometimes have phases of being awake for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. I take a daily B12 complex supplement and the occasional iron tablet. I have a very unstressful and easy life, so why am I so bloody exhausted all the time?

I went on a nice gentle walk yesterday afternoon, was asleep by about 10:30pm and woke up at about 7:30 this morning. I’m at home, pottering about, but my eyeballs feel like lead and all I want to do is go to sleep. I am supposed to run later but the thought of it is making my insides curl up as I am so tired.

I don’t have any obvious symptoms like losing weight or rashes or aches and pains.

Is it worth getting a blood test for things like, thyroid, vitamin deficiencies, iron levels?

OP posts:
StepsInTime · 04/08/2025 14:18

Yes absolutely!

Angrymum22 · 04/08/2025 14:24

I turned 60 last year and have accepted that I just need more downtime nowadays. I have learned to pace myself and if I’m tired it’s usually because I’ve done too much.

However, post menopausally women are more prone to mineral and vitamin deficiency and underlying conditions can cause these deficiencies. HRT is not a universal cure all and doesn’t prevent menopause, just treats the symptoms.

It’s worth having a full blood screen to look for anaemia , particularly if you are still having periods, and to check B12.

Taking Vit D and magnesium supplements is a good idea post menopausally.

Original poster
WindyDayToday · 04/08/2025 15:21

Thanks for your replies.

I don’t have periods anymore as I have a mirena coil fitted, but maybe I will increase the iron supplements as I have a tendency for low levels. I did have a test done years ago and was told over the phone by the GP receptionist that it was all fine. When I actually saw the numbers it was something like 16 ng/ml, which was technically within the 15 - 150 ng/ml normal range, but not necessarily optimal.

OP posts:
murasaki · 04/08/2025 15:26

B12 deficiency was my first thought. Do it.

MageQueen · 04/08/2025 15:26

Low iron and low vitamin D are both extremely common causes of fatigue. I would 100% go to doctor andf ask for tests. If they come back low but not at the NHS level for supplements, purchase OTC supplements for yourself.

There are other potential causes too so I absolutely think you should be looking into this.

Weddingbutterfly · 04/08/2025 15:29

Also check blood sugar levels to check if you’ve slipped into pre diabetes, tiredness can be the only symptom, the menopause seems to to shift our bodies away from carbs annoyingly

slightlydistrac · 04/08/2025 15:54

'Within the normal range' according to the test parameters is all well and good, but when you are so close to one end of the range, it does make you wonder, doesn't it?

SlipperyLizard · 04/08/2025 16:01

I went to the doc when I was so tired that I took a pregnancy test despite there being zero chance of me being pregnant, I just felt as awful as I did in first trimester.

Everything was clear, which was a bit of a disappointment as it meant there was nothing to be done - doctor basically said I had two young children, worked full time, of course I was tired!

I’m still knackered most days, but probably less stressed now the kids are more independent. I don’t want to wish their lives away but in a few years I can stop bearing the mental load of two kids (uniform, food, activities, homework etc) and maybe take more downtime.

RosaMundi27 · 04/08/2025 16:19

Yes, always worth it! A few years ago I went to the doc because I was absolutely floored by tiredness, a comprehensive blood test showed that I was very low in vitamin D. I supplemented with D3 and within literally a few days was already feeling better.
Also recommend testing because it rules out certain things too.

Nitgel · 04/08/2025 16:22

I got a blood test for the same symptons. Am.similar age to you and similar fitness but so tired! I think it's just age. All.tests.came.back normal aprt from.high cholesterol

NewDogOwner · 04/08/2025 17:00

Yes, I found out I was low in folic acid which causes it. I didn't know that was a thing.

WellyBellyBoo · 04/08/2025 17:06

Yes, I was quite anaemic and like you was still running etc. I feel like I've made dramatic improvements in my pace after 3 months of iron tablets. I think I was running on empt y for ages. They also did a bowel screening (poo sample) to check that internal bleeding wasn't the cause. All clear so reckoned it was just my mostly vegetarian diet to blame.

Original poster
WindyDayToday · 04/08/2025 19:19

I reckon I’ll go and get a test done. It will put my mind at rest if it all comes back ok.

Thanks for all your input 🙂

OP posts:
user1471453601 · 04/08/2025 19:29

I think you should get a blood test for all the reasons listed above.

However, I'm 74 and apart from old age, I have a few treated diseases (copd, asthma, pernicious anaemia) that can contribute to general tiredness. I have a very shallow puddle of energy at my disposal, so have learned a bit about how to conserve my energy so I can use it for those things I like and want to do.

It may come down to that for you, but there are ways of conserving energy, should you need to know them.

abreakplease · 04/08/2025 19:32

Just had a blood test for tiredness and brain fog, I am on HRT but this felt different to peri symptoms. I am also low in folate (B9) and when I looked at my results on the NHS app, B12 and Vitamin D weren't too much higher than the threshold. All easily supplemented but I think will take a few weeks for it all to kick in. Always worth checking...

abreakplease · 04/08/2025 19:33

And it is such a wide spectrum from low to high on the NHS results that some people can feel awful and still be technically within 'normal' levels.

BaseDrops · 05/08/2025 07:42

Always worth asking for the results breakdown and comparing your numbers with other similar countries acceptable levels.

As far as folic acid is concerned, some people can’t break it down and methyl folate works better.

CharlotteSometimes1 · 05/08/2025 07:48

Yes, I’m at a similar stage and fitness level I refuse to give in to the idea that it’s time to slow down like lots of people my age. I recently had blood tests because I was so tired and my stamina while training was reduced- it turned out to be my thyroid so it was the right thing to do.

TroysMammy · 05/08/2025 07:58

I'd stop all vitamin and mineral supplements well before a blood test because taking these could skew the results. They may just push you over to the normal range if you are lacking. If you are deficient then proper medication and dosage is needed.

As a side note I was the same age, not on hrt and feeling meh, had a blood test, liver function off, then an ultrasound and non alcoholic fatty liver, gallstones (no symptoms) and a liver cyst. I lost just over 2 stone and no longer have a fatty liver. It's now just circumstances that make me feel meh.

Original poster
WindyDayToday · 05/08/2025 09:59

TroysMammy · 05/08/2025 07:58

I'd stop all vitamin and mineral supplements well before a blood test because taking these could skew the results. They may just push you over to the normal range if you are lacking. If you are deficient then proper medication and dosage is needed.

As a side note I was the same age, not on hrt and feeling meh, had a blood test, liver function off, then an ultrasound and non alcoholic fatty liver, gallstones (no symptoms) and a liver cyst. I lost just over 2 stone and no longer have a fatty liver. It's now just circumstances that make me feel meh.

I've just done a quick google on stopping supplements before a test, and the B12 society recommends stopping all B12 supplements for 4 months prior and includes any food that has been fortified. I'm not sure how realistic that is going to be! And it says that the blood tests don't actually pick up the different forms of B12 so you can get a misdiagnosis anyway...🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
WindyDayToday · 05/08/2025 10:01

CharlotteSometimes1 · 05/08/2025 07:48

Yes, I’m at a similar stage and fitness level I refuse to give in to the idea that it’s time to slow down like lots of people my age. I recently had blood tests because I was so tired and my stamina while training was reduced- it turned out to be my thyroid so it was the right thing to do.

Ha ha, yes. This is me too. I used to deadlift 120kg for reps so why can't I do it now?! 😡...maybe because that was 20 years ago?

OP posts:
BizzyLizzyandLittleMo · 06/08/2025 01:46

Definitely stop b12 supplements before having your b12 checked as even if it’s only just in range gp’s will mostly refuse to treat even though they’re supposed to go by symptoms not base everything on the test itself

Morningsleepin · 06/08/2025 02:30

You could also check your thyroids

Morningsleepin · 06/08/2025 02:30

You could also check your thyroids

Morningsleepin · 06/08/2025 02:30

You could also check your thyroids