I have both very low blood pressure and hypoglycemia, so I've never been a bundle of energy. However, lately, I've been feeling so tired after lunch I have to nap. Fortunately, I work from home in the morning and when I get my kids at noon, they're old enough to play responsibly when I doze off. I literally can't keep my eyes open.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone with either of these conditions has the same problem? I do eat a protein-filled meal to stabilize my blood sugar, so I'm really not sure why I get so wiped out after lunch. I have been tested for thyroid problems and don't have any. I did have low iron levels, but those are on track now with supplements.
Thanks for any feedback!
ETA: I don't drink anything with caffeine (wish I could but I don't tolerate it well) and drink lots of water. I also exercise regularly.
Did you get the full thyroid test or was it just the T3 and T4 levels? I ask because I have low thyroid but my T3 and T4 levels were fine. A small dose of synthroid later and I'm like a new person.
I know your lunch is protein-filled, but I'm wondering if you are balancing your carbs with the protein. I have similar issues and found that for me, following "The Zone" diet seemed to help.
My other (sorry, nosy) question is "could you be pregnant?"
Lastly, sometimes B vitamins will help. Have you considered talking to a naturopath in conjunction with your doctor? I did find that useful.
Sorry you are going through such a rough time.
I have the same exact problem. Extreme fatigue, hypoglycemia... getting out of bed and accomplishing something, or even leaving the house is a very difficult task. My mil who is a health/supplement nut, also told me to look into my adrenals.
My MIL ate a lot of salt in the summer to help keep her BP up. I never ate alot of it but I do find her advice does help a lot.
I would ask the doc to give some ideas of how to feel better too though. Even though the Thyroid is putting out the right stuff sometimes the body is not able to absorb/use it correctly. That was the basis for Wilson Syndrome back in the 70's or 80's. Although he attributed the issue to low body temperature he came up with the idea that since the body was not 98.6 the catalyst the body needed would not work until it was in a warm enough body and therefore it did not use the enzyme put out by the thyroid.
So there could be other health issues.
My cousin was diagnosed with Wilson's and she took a small pill and it was a miracle to her. She was able to have a life again. His theory was finally discredited but a lot of people have low body temps and they all seem to have a lot of similar symptoms so who knows. Someone might "find" it and call it something else some day and get rich.
I have low blood pressure and hypoglycemia. The suggestion I received was to up my sodium intake (free pass on chips!) and to eat a small bit of protein every hour or so. A couple slices of meat, a couple spoons of peanut butter, etc.
I'm terrible about eating and have the habit of waiting long periods between meals and I always crash afterwards - it doesn't matter the meal. When I'm better about eating snacks, often and throughout the day, I feel much more balanced.
1) How OFTEN are you eating? With my son, he needs small things every hour (usually do with drinks; milk Gatorade preganw fuel (nasty syrupy stuff), miso soup in a cup, etc... and meals every 3 hours. He doesn't alays get that... And is FINE for short periods of time skipping here and there, but if it's been consistany missing here and there for a few weeks... He goes a little sideways / starts crashing on a consistant basis.
2) There is a particularly nasty cold going around (last for 2-3 whole weeks) where the majority of it is simply being exhausted. You feel fine/not sick at all for a week or two, but are just wiped out once or twice a day. Then the headaches start (sinus congestion with zero drainage). Then the coughing. 3 days of SUPER sick (but no fever), then a good day then a crash day, and then about a week of slowly getting better. I've seen more than 20 people lately with the EXACT same pattern. The only variation is whether they spend 1 or 2 weeks needing afternoon naps when they're just not nappers! No, or very low grade, fever... But kicks your tucus!
Adrenal fatigue? I would read about that . . . mainstream docs don't seem to believe in it as much but I do.
Do you rely on caffeine? That can be a sign too.
Good luck - hope you can get this figured out.
PS: The blood sugar issues alone (hypoglycemia) could explain it.
PSS: Kudos to you on the lack of caffeine . . . (from a caffeine-a-holic). My only other idea is whether you have heard of an MTHFR mutation? I have one type, my husband has another, and our son has both. Among other things it can affect your folate levels. In a round-about way there could be a connection to energy. I've had fatigue issues all my life. I've always had very low blood pressure too, even while pregnant.
I have low blood pressure and anemia, and I do get tired in the afternoons. During the summer I take a nap (I'm a teacher), but I can't do that the rest of the year. Vitamins help. I take iron, calcium, magnesium, multi-vitamin, and B-complex. Exercise helps a ton, but I only exercise 2-3 times a week. I'm very active all the time; I live on a farm. I know I would feel more energetic if I exercised more often.
Good luck!
The B Vitamins and take a Vitamin B-12 suppliment right away. I swear by it, as does my father and you will feel the results in less than a week. Very simple, very cost effective and it works. I take it with my regular multi vitamin and when I run out and stop taking it...i feel it within 4 days.
