Tired All the Time? It May Be Worth Talking to Your Doctor
By Amber Moss, DO
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician
Everyone feels tired sometimes. But if you’re getting enough sleep and still struggling to make it through the day, constantly reaching for caffeine, or wondering why you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore, it may be time to look a little deeper.
Fatigue Is a Symptom, Not a Diagnosis
One of the most important parts of evaluating fatigue is looking at the whole person.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, we may consider things like:
Thyroid problems
Iron deficiency or anemia
Vitamin deficiencies
Diabetes or blood sugar problems
Sleep apnea
Medication side effects
Hormonal changes and menopause
Stress, anxiety, or depression
Chronic medical conditions
Sometimes laboratory testing provides the answer. Other times, the most important clues come from talking through your symptoms, sleep, medications, menstrual history, lifestyle, and how long you’ve been feeling this way.
When Is Fatigue Worth an Appointment?
Consider scheduling a visit if fatigue has persisted for several weeks, is getting worse, or is interfering with your normal life.
It’s especially worth discussing if you’ve also noticed symptoms such as unexplained weight changes, hair loss, heavy periods, headaches, snoring, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance, or changes in mood.
You don’t need to figure out which specialist you need before making an appointment.
That’s what primary care is for.
Finding the Cause Matters
It’s tempting to assume persistent fatigue is simply part of being busy, getting older, or having a stressful life.
Sometimes it is.
But sometimes your body is telling you that something has changed.
My approach is to listen to what’s been happening, look for patterns, and decide with you which evaluation actually makes sense rather than ordering unnecessary testing or dismissing your symptoms.
Fatigue Evaluation in Gillette, Wyoming
If you’ve been thinking, “Why am I tired all the time?”, it may be worth getting checked.
Moss Health provides comprehensive primary care for adults and children in Gillette, Wyoming, including evaluation of fatigue, thyroid concerns, women’s health, hormone and menopause symptoms, sleep concerns, and chronic medical conditions.
New patients are welcome.