5 Reasons you’re always tired
Does this sound familiar?
You’re getting through the day on caffeine and willpower. Your GP says your bloods are “normal.” You go to bed early… but you still wake up tired. If so, you’re not alone.
As a women’s health nutritionist, I see this all the time — and the truth is: fatigue isn’t always fixed by sleep or iron tablets.
Here are 5 overlooked but very common reasons midlife women feel drained, foggy, and unlike themselves — even when their test results look fine.
1. Blood Sugar Instability
You don’t need to be diabetic to have blood sugar swings.
If you’re riding the highs and crashes of toast, coffee, and quick snacks, your energy will go with it.
Symptoms: energy dips mid-morning or afternoon, hanger, anxiety, waking at 3am
Fix it: Start the day with protein + fat (e.g. eggs, nut butter, chia pudding), and avoid naked carbs.
2. Subclinical Thyroid Imbalance
Your TSH might be “normal” — but if your free T3 is low, or your thyroid antibodies are raised, you could still feel tired, cold, constipated and low.
Symptoms: sluggishness, brain fog, low mood, brittle nails, poor memory
Fix it: Ask for a full thyroid panel (including FT3, FT4, TPO), and address nutrient gaps like selenium, zinc and iron.
3. Perimenopausal Hormone Shifts
From your late 30s, oestrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate — and this can massively affect energy, mood, sleep, and stress response.
Symptoms: exhaustion, anxiety, night waking, PMS, heavy periods, feeling “wired but tired”
Fix it: Support adrenal health (protein, sleep, stress tools), and eat for hormone balance: fibre, phytoestrogens, B vitamins, magnesium.
4. Hidden Nutrient Deficiencies
You can eat a healthy diet and still be low in key nutrients — especially if you’ve had digestive issues, stress, or heavy periods.
Common culprits: B12, iron, magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3s
Fix it: Consider targeted testing, or work with a practitioner to personalise your nutrition and supplements.
5. Gut Imbalance (Even Without IBS)
The gut-brain-energy connection is real. Dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) can affect nutrient absorption, inflammation, mood and energy.
Symptoms: bloating, brain fog, fatigue after meals, food sensitivities
Fix it: Eat a variety of plant fibres, reduce ultra-processed foods, and explore testing if symptoms persist.
You’re Not Lazy. You’re Not Crazy.
If you’re tired all the time, your body isn’t broken — it’s trying to tell you something. I help women like you find their root causes, and create nutrition plans that actually work.
Want Support?
Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your symptoms and how I can help.
No pressure. Just support.
