An NHS GP advises individuals experiencing chronic tiredness to consider a blood test to pinpoint potential medical reasons for their fatigue. From vitamin deficiencies to thyroid issues, Doctor Shireen highlights common causes and emphasizes the importance of seeking medical advice.
Feeling tired sometimes is completely normal, especially if you lead a busy life. However, if you're consistently experiencing a lack of energy, it might be more than just a few bad days. A National Health Service (NHS) General Practitioner (GP), Doctor Shireen , recommends that anyone struggling with persistent fatigue consider getting a blood test to identify potential underlying issues.
In a widely shared TikTok video, Doctor Shireen discussed common medical reasons for tiredness, ranging from vitamin deficiencies to an underactive thyroid. While insufficient sleep is often cited as a cause of fatigue, she emphasizes the importance of not overlooking deeper health concerns without proper investigation. In her two-and-a-half-minute video, Doctor Shireen advises viewers to ask their GP to check for specific things on their blood test. First, she recommends a full blood count (FBC). This examination helps doctors diagnose conditions like anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin levels. Doctor Shireen explains that hemoglobin, found in the blood, carries oxygen to organs throughout the body. Low hemoglobin levels can lead to fatigue. She specifically suggests checking iron levels, particularly for women of child-bearing age. Menstrual cycles or withdrawal bleeds from contraceptive pills can lead to low iron, potentially causing anemia and other issues like hair loss and brittle nails.Another potential cause of fatigue could be an improperly functioning thyroid, which can also be determined through a blood test. Doctor Shireen explains that the thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine, essential for metabolism and various other bodily functions. If the thyroid is underactive and not producing enough thyroxine, a blood test can detect this, which can also contribute to feelings of tiredness. Additionally, Doctor Shireen highlights vitamin deficiencies as common culprits behind fatigue. She observes vitamin D deficiencies frequently in patients due to insufficient sunlight absorption in the UK. She recommends taking a vitamin D supplement from October to March or year-round for those who work indoors or habitually cover their skin. She also emphasizes the importance of vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9). Plant-based diets often lack B12, which is primarily found in animal products, so supplementation is important. Folate, on the other hand, is abundant in leafy green vegetables. Finally, Doctor Shireen advises perimenopausal women, typically aged 36 and above, to have their hormone levels checked, as perimenopause is often overlooked as a potential cause of tiredness
Fatigue Blood Test Anemia Thyroid Vitamins Perimenopause Doctor Shireen
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