Constantly Tired No Matter What You Do?

If you feel like you wake up tired, struggle to get through the day, and crash in the afternoon—even when you're sleeping “enough”—you may be dealing with chronic fatigue. It’s one of the most common yet frustrating complaints, and many people are told their labs are “normal,” even though they feel far from it.

Here’s the good news: chronic fatigue is not something you have to live with forever. In functional medicine, we see fatigue as a sign that something deeper is out of balance. Once you identify and address the root causes, energy levels often return—sometimes better than ever.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what chronic fatigue really is, what might be causing it, and what steps you can take today to start feeling like yourself again.

What Is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue is more than just feeling tired after a long week or poor night’s sleep. It’s persistent, often debilitating exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest and significantly impacts daily life.

You may have:

• Morning fatigue even after 7–9 hours of sleep
• Brain fog and poor concentration
• Cravings for caffeine, sugar, or naps
• Low motivation or emotional exhaustion
• Sleep that isn’t refreshing
• Worsening fatigue after physical or mental effort

If these symptoms have lasted for months or years, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it.

Common Causes of Chronic Fatigue (That Most Doctors Miss)

Functional medicine looks deeper than just anemia or thyroid disease. While these are important to rule out, chronic fatigue often results from multiple overlapping root causes.

1. Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells. When they’re damaged (by toxins, stress, or inflammation), energy production drops—resulting in fatigue.

2. Chronic Infections

Persistent infections like EBV (Epstein-Barr virus), Lyme disease, or mold exposure can silently drain your immune system and energy reserves.

3. Hormonal Imbalances

Low thyroid function, adrenal dysfunction (cortisol imbalance), or low sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) can all leave you feeling drained.

4. Gut Imbalances

Leaky gut, SIBO, or dysbiosis increase inflammation and interfere with nutrient absorption—impacting everything from mood to metabolism.

5. Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of iron, B12, magnesium, vitamin D, or CoQ10 are often overlooked causes of fatigue, even when within “normal” ranges.

6. Toxic Burden

Heavy metals, mold, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals tax your detox pathways and mitochondria—leading to deep exhaustion.

7. Sleep Disruption

Even if you think you’re sleeping 8 hours, issues like sleep apnea, blood sugar crashes, or poor circadian rhythm can leave you unrested.

What Should I Do If I Have Chronic Fatigue?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you restore your energy, naturally and effectively.

1. Start with Functional Testing

If your doctor says your labs are “normal” but you still feel exhausted, it’s time to dig deeper.

Consider testing:

• Comprehensive thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, antibodies)
• Adrenal saliva or DUTCH cortisol test
• Nutrient status (iron panel, B12, magnesium, vitamin D, CoQ10)
• Mitochondrial markers and oxidative stress
• GI stool test (for infections, inflammation, dysbiosis)
• Viral and mold panels (if chronic infection is suspected)

2. Balance Your Blood Sugar

Blood sugar instability is a hidden energy thief. Rollercoaster glucose leads to crashes, cravings, and hormonal imbalances.

What to do:

• Eat protein and healthy fats at every meal
• Cut out refined carbs and sugar
• Avoid skipping meals or relying on caffeine
• Try a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to find your patterns

3. Support Your Mitochondria

Rebuilding cellular energy production is essential for lasting energy.

Nutrients that support mitochondrial health:

• CoQ10
• PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone)
• Acetyl-L-carnitine
• Magnesium
• B vitamins
• Alpha-lipoic acid

Also, reduce mitochondrial stress by eliminating processed foods and minimizing toxin exposure.

4. Nourish Your Adrenals and Reset Cortisol

If you feel “wired but tired,” crash in the afternoon, or wake up groggy, you may have a cortisol imbalance.

Tips:

• Follow a consistent sleep-wake cycle
• Avoid over-exercising or under-recovering
• Use adaptogens like ashwagandha, rhodiola, or holy basil
• Incorporate breathwork or meditation daily

5. Fix Your Gut

An inflamed or imbalanced gut can steal your nutrients and send inflammatory signals throughout your body.

Gut support includes:

• Removing food sensitivities
• Using probiotics and prebiotics
• Supporting digestion with enzymes or bitters
• Healing leaky gut with glutamine, zinc carnosine, and aloe vera

6. Optimize Sleep—It’s Non-Negotiable

You cannot out-supplement poor sleep. Make quality rest a top priority.

Sleep optimization tips:

• Wind down with a screen-free bedtime routine
• Use blackout curtains and reduce EMF exposure
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily
• Consider natural sleep aids like magnesium glycinate or melatonin

7. Move Your Body—But Gently at First

Exercise improves energy long term, but overdoing it when you’re exhausted can backfire.

Try:

• Gentle walking, stretching, or yoga
• Low-impact strength training a few times per week
• Gradually increase intensity as energy returns

8. Detox Your Environment

Toxins are often a hidden trigger of fatigue, especially mold, heavy metals, and plastics.

Support detox pathways by:

• Sweating (infrared sauna, hot baths)
• Drinking filtered water
• Eating liver-supportive foods (cruciferous veggies, lemon, garlic)
• Using a HEPA air filter and non-toxic products

When to See a Functional Medicine Provider

If your fatigue persists after trying diet and lifestyle changes—or if it’s interfering with your daily life—it’s time to partner with a professional. A functional medicine practitioner can run the right labs, create a personalized plan, and help you recover your energy at the root level.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Energized Again

Chronic fatigue is a real condition with real solutions. It’s not in your head, and you don’t have to accept it as your “new normal.” With the right testing, guidance, and support, you can get your energy and vitality back.

The body wants to heal—sometimes it just needs help figuring out what’s blocking it.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, We Help You Find the Why Behind Your Fatigue

Our functional medicine team specializes in helping patients with unresolved fatigue uncover the root causes of their exhaustion. Through advanced testing, personalized nutrition, and targeted therapies, we help you reclaim your energy and feel like yourself again.

Schedule a consultation today and start your journey to healing and lasting vitality.

‍