Anyone just persistently tired and down after large weight loss?

[TiredOfLife16]

I’m posting here because I had some good advice on AIBU but just wanted some more health focussed advice.

i have lost seven and a half stone on Mounjaro. I am still on Mounjaro and intend to lose about another three to four stone (to take me to 11-12 stone, depending on where I settle) before weaning myself down to a small maintenance dose. I went up to the highest doses and because of surgery (sinus, nothing serious) over the summer I’ve now settled on 7.5mg.

Over the last couple of months I’ve just felt very run down. Tired, down, lacking in energy and motivation, and feeling very flat. I don’t have any other worrying symptoms (no hair loss, no bleeding or lumps), but I have always bruised easily. I started taking some vitamins (B, D, iron & C) and they helped for a week or two but I’m back to this baseline of feeling kind of crappy.

I’m thinking it’s some sort of deficiency and I’ve read they can be quite common with any large weight loss. But I was just wondering if anyone else has felt like this and if so, has your GP been helpful?

Yup - I wasn't on weight loss drugs but have lost a lot of weight. It was vastly improved through being very aware of eating the right foods - lots of fruit, veggies, protein and then supplements particularly VitD. And exercise, actually moving my body has improved my energy.

GP was useless tbh but push for an iron test and results.

Yes - I felt similar for a good few months on MJ, when I had lost about 4 stone. For me, I think that there was something around me mentally dealing with no longer being able to use food as a crutch. As @travailtotravel says, make sure that you are eating well and exercising in general. I hope that it passes soon, Op.

It is very likely that you have lost muscle as well as fat, which will make daily activities feel more tiring. Muscles also contribute to good mood. If you're not already doing exercise and resistance training, it will probably feel tough to gest started but will do you loads of good.

Your body has been through a massive event and you still have a lot of MJ in your system.
rather than focus on more weight loss, try focussing on excellent nutrition for a few months.
are you strength training?

Are you eating enough, are your getting lots of fruit, veg, pulses, protein?

It probably is just your iron, vit D etc levels.

But Mounjaro does have some annecdotal form for making people feel flat and lethargic. It might be, now your weight is lower, the side effects are more pronounced than when you were heavier.

I also understand (notadoctor) that oestrogen is produced in fat cells, so less fat cells = less oestrogen. May or may not be relevant, depending on your age.

I eat 1400 calories a day. Always aim for 5 portions of fruit and veg, and aim for 100g of protein. I do exercise - I aim for three nights a week in the gym doing resistance training.

I would also add magnesium and B12 to your supplement list.

I take a b complex supplement, it’s all of them in one I think. I’ve recently run out of magnesium but I’m not sure what it does for me?

It takes 3 months for the bodies cell system to fully renew so you don't see the full benefits quickly.

I would personally get checked with the medication you are taking to rule out anything else

Read your replies…

Looks at creatine. There is lots of new research on how it helps people who struggle with chronic fatigue.

Magnesium absorbed faster through skin because it bypasses the digestive system so creams are a good way. We also do 20 minute baths a couple of times a week with bi-carb, Epsom salts & bentonite clay. All draw out toxins but Epsom give the body magnesium and bentonite clay has over 70 minerals that are easily absorbed by the skin.

B Vits - we have the MTHFR gene mutation so my family take methylated multi because our bodies cannot process folate efficiently which effects B.

We also do a lot of herb teas for nutritional needs depending on time of year and any struggles we have.

I thought the idea that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin had been debunked?

Sounds similar to me. Lost 7s and very tired and bruise easily - get some blood tests. I have anemia , iron is low and on high iron tablets along with folic acid b12 and think vit d - all in one tablet. I’ve risen 1 point in 3mths and get tested every 1-2mths - it’s a slow process to build up again.