Need suggestions to increase my energy

[UptoYou]

I am despairing and throwing this open for all and sundry to make suggestions as I don't know what else to try.

I am late 40's, good DH, 2 kids (10 and 6 - one has SEN), limited support, stressful job but eat well/stay healthy/exercise as best I can (usually most days).

I have low energy to the extent that it limits daily life and I'm fed up of it. It's particularly bad at this time of year (does get better when the days are brighter). Things I have tried/ruled out:
Thought it was having 2 young kids - hasn't gotten better as they got older
Menopause - HRT has not helped
SAD/low Vit D - using a SAD light and doubling my dose of (good quality) Vit D supplement hasn't improved anything
Alcohol - I don't drink anymore. I also don't smoke/take drugs
Stressful job - resigned with no improvement
Gallbladder/pancreatitis - had gallbladder removed, still tired
ADHD/ASD (I am likely neurodivergent although have not sought a diagnosis) - changing my entire life structure with work etc has not helped
Bloods do not show anything of note. (Although not had them done recently)
Diet - generally good with minimal ready meals/junk.

In addition to the Vit D and HRT I mention above I also take Vit B12, gut supplements, Magnesium etc.
I don't sleep that well (often have insomnia despite being exhausted and DC2 still sleeps in with me which interrupts my sleep significantly.

Writing it down seems to flag the obvious thing is to sleep train DC2 to stay in their own bed......(finding the energy to do it is problematic though)

Any other suggestions?

Could you have undiagnosed asthma? I think I’ve got this and I find I have to rest after doing things like washing up. It’s so frustrating.

Underactive thyroid? It's the cause of my major fatigue. If you haven't had bloods done recently, thyroid numbers can change drastically.

Thyroid? Mine didn't show on first bloods I had done and then they sent a more extensive panel which showed enough (with my symptoms taken into account) that I was started on thyroxine. I've definitely noticed a difference being on it.

Different dose/type of HRT?

Just a couple of thoughts.

True exhaustion is horrible and really Impacts on life I hope you find something that helps soon.

you sound amazing, let’s just get that part done.

I would try something like cutting out refined sugar for a few months and then switching and then cutting out dairy. Cutting out dairy did amazing things for my health.

have you had thyroid function tested?

In fairness - there is a certain amount of age-related, life-related exhaustion that you can’t eliminate.

Lovely ladies thank you so much
THYROID! I had forgotten about THYROID! I used to take adrenal and thyroid supplements but for some reason decided to stop taking them after my gallbladder op. I will order some more today.
I have asked GP in the past about my thyroid but they won't examine further as all bloods in normal range. I know thyroid diagnosis can be quite nuanced but I am really limited in pursuing this via GP (my GP surgery is actually closing so I barely have a GP let alone am able to convince them to test my bloods for anything other than standard panel).
Is there anything else I can do to help my thyroid myself?

@Feliciacat thanks also for the asthma suggestion - I had begun to think I had sleep apnea or similar issues as I never feel rested but my breathing seems fine and aside from being kicked throughout the night by a small child nothing untoward seems to happen when I sleep.

@ToWorkOrNotToWork thank you so much for your kind words, I feel far from amazing and appreciate you saying so. I am a big fan of keto/low carb and am also fairly low dairy (made a huge difference to my gut when I still had gallbladder/digestive issues). It's probably worth cleaning my diet up to be less cake and more low carb again (but finding the energy to make the initial change is an issue).
I also agree that I would be surprised if I didn't feel tired with everything on my plate, but this is just MORE (much more!) that I would expect. I'm living half a life and need to find a solution :-(

@raeray good call re changing my HRT - ironically after 23months of no period my period returned a few months ago 😱I think it was the increased Vit D that did it..... I trialled coming off HRT but the sweats and flushes came back almost immediately so I feel it's a balancing act. I had reduced my oestrogen but I could try increasing it again to see if that helps.
(And I got my lady parts checked out and there doesn't seem to be anything malicious happening down there)

I really hope you get some energy back somehow. You have my every sympathy. Definitely get onto your GP about thyroid and/or hormones. Fingers crossed!

You could have bloods done privately re thyroid? There are various national companies that do it . Its not too costly I don't think .