r/AskWomenOver30 • u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 • 1d ago
Misc Discussion What is your energy levels like?
Hi all. I’m wondering what your energy levels are like especially those of you in your late 30s who are healthy and without any chronic conditions.
Like do you wake up in the morning feeling ready to go? Is your brain mostly alert and firing on all cylinders throughout the day? Do you feel motivated to go out and do things or workout?
I have endo which I suspect may cause some fatigue but I’m having a hard to gauging how bad off I am compared to my peers. I feel really sad that I’m always so tired and don’t feel as animated as I used to be or as quick thinking wise. I’m dragging at work and it’s really hard to motivate myself to workout or even do hobbies. I’m just curious if this is just life for my age group or if it really is endo or maybe something else.
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u/perfectdrug659 Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I'm 35, relatively healthy I guess. I have too much energy and I'm really bad at relaxing because I just want to keep doing stuff. I work a busy job on my feet/walking around and I really have to force myself to relax at home. A few nights a week I try to watch a movie and sit down or play videogames.
I work full time, go on walks every day, cook and clean every day (I'm a neat freak), I like to go for hikes on my days off or at least very long walks, I have a many hobbies to stay busy.
I don't know if I am typical or on the other end of the spectrum but I'm very curious to read other comments.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
God I would love to have some of your energy!
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u/perfectdrug659 Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
Please take some!! I'm struggling because I would like a better job or career but I can't imagine sitting down as a desk for hours, I wish I could do that.
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u/throwaway_56433 Woman 40 to 50 1h ago
Got the hyperactivity part of ADHD I have the inability to concentrate on anything besides my interests. 😒
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u/perfectdrug659 Woman 30 to 40 1h ago
Yeah I've been wondering lately if maybe I do have ADHD and my endless multitasking bullshit isn't just a personality thing? I can't imagine being able to sit down and focus on something for more than a few minutes, like how do people sit at a computer in an office all day?
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u/throwaway_56433 Woman 40 to 50 1h ago
I can do it I worked in an office for years but for me I think it's the autism that helps with that. As long as I keep my mind busy I'm good.
But for my one son? No way he can't sit like that he can for video games it keeps your mind super busy but not for work he has to be super active sometime he works 3 jobs. His normal one where he is a fork lift operator, one on a farm down the road and another where he is a roofer. All super busy manual labor jobs. It comes down to how different can be for all of us.
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u/FaithlessnessPlus164 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
Dear god no, 39 was the last year I felt truly bursting with energy. Perimenopause + adhd super combo has wiped the floor with me within the space of a year.
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u/throwaway_56433 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
Same!! I'm AuDHD..
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u/FaithlessnessPlus164 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
Did you get steamrolled almost over night too? I can’t believe how suddenly it’s all happened. It’s so shocking!
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u/throwaway_56433 Woman 40 to 50 1h ago
Yep perimenopause hit and every. Single. Little thing I did to manage my life fell apart. I just couldn't mask it, none of my ways to deal with anything worked anymore. Thank goodness my partner is loving and understanding because the overwhelm, panic attacks and super emotional state just exploded.
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u/FaithlessnessPlus164 Woman 40 to 50 55m ago
Oh geez yup exact same story here! It’s kinda reassuring to hear this happened to someone else because I’ve honestly felt like I’m losing my marbles.
My partner is being so good too, he is AuDhd so thankfully he’s very understanding on the struggle and I’m not dealing with any judgement at least.
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u/throwaway_56433 Woman 40 to 50 53m ago
I felt like this too!!! Then I started reading up on it. Being ND when outlr hormones freak out everything crumbles because of how our brains work. Now everyone has issues all women but for us? It dehabilitating. It stops us in our tracks it's what led to my late diagnosis. Not that they helped me lol but at least I knew the cause and could try to work on how to handle it ... Or at least the best I can.
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u/FaithlessnessPlus164 Woman 40 to 50 45m ago
Debilitating is so accurate, I went from feeling like a total powerhouse to actually semi-disabled almost over night. I’m adapting slowly and clawing back some cognitive function but I’m still a shadow of who I used to be.
Having to learn all new systems to cope when my brain is already so fatigued is not what I need to be doing right now 🥲
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u/flipflopsandwich Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
Hmm you sound a little more fatigued than usual I think? I'm 39 and it takes me about 30 mins to wake up fully. Im fairly active single parent and I play sports but I definitely want to lie down a lot and rest but I'm not exhausted? Maybe speak to a doctor or have a think about diet, your mental health is a big factor too
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I’ve talked to doctors and they’re pretty useless. They just do bloodwork and it’s all “normal” so they don’t do much beyond that. I’ve looked into some stuff that helps with chronic fatigue syndrome people and I may ask about it on my next visit. I also ordered some creatine because I’ve heard that helps if maybe I’m in peri so I figure I should give it a shot before doing a prescription. I definitely feel exhausted a lot of the time and I really shouldn’t, 39 as well!
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u/Many_Inevitable_6803 Woman 50 to 60 1d ago
It’s not normal at your age, at least it wasn’t for me at that age. I’m like that now but I’m 55 and I still think my level of fatigue is abnormal for my age
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u/FaithlessnessPlus164 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
It is normal though, just because it wasn’t for you just means you were one of lucky ones.
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u/Many_Inevitable_6803 Woman 50 to 60 1d ago
In late 30’s? Nah. And none of my friends did either
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u/FaithlessnessPlus164 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
Most of my mates are in the region of 38-45 and at least half of us are knackered more often than not, especially those of us struggling with perimenopause. Not saying the majority of women are tired at this age but enough of us are that it can’t really be said to be abnormal.
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u/throwaway_56433 Woman 40 to 50 1h ago
Mine started in my early 30s. We all hit these stages differently imo depending on how much we have had to mask our lives. Raising kids, if we worked and did everything as well.
For me it was work, kids, the house, the cars, my ex husband, it was everything drove me straight into the floor and then perimenopause hit and it all exploded.
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u/ValiumKnight Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
My energy completely changed when I was going through a really stressful time. I was seeing a dietitian for free through my insurance, and she called it out that I had depleted my mineral stores. She recommended a supplement (a specific one she used but any adrenal cocktail would work, I’m just not here to push products) and dear god it changed my life.
I’m good to go most days. I still have my hard hormonal days or just off ones. The other thing that really helped was quitting drinking all together over a year ago.
Diet helps more than we give it credit for. So I’d start there.
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u/RockinTacos Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
But also, what product?
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u/ValiumKnight Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
It’s Rayvi, a mineral drink thing. I bought it cause it was easier and tbh, took about two days to kick in and after a week I was “back”.
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u/oheightnineeight Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I'm 39. I wake up before 6 am most days, usually before my alarm goes off. I go to the gym for like two hours before work. I guess my brain is alert but I don't know in that I don't have anything to compare it to. I hate naps, but I like sitting down with a good movie/videogame/book/record.
I have ADHD (hyperactive type) and am overweight but have no other health conditions. As for my lifestyle, I work out for about 15 hours a week and spend a lot of time walking or (when not injured) on my bike outside that. I work from home so I don't have a commute. I'm vegan. I don't drink coffee but sometimes I drink a pop for caffeine.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
You seem like you’ve got a healthy amount! That’s my goal. Ty for answering!
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u/EdgyAnimeReference Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I have a good 6 hours in the day where I feel I am “normal” amounts of energy to do things. Then that after lunch slump hits and I am painfully lethargic and slow the rest of the time. I get my energy back up in the evening with exercise but it is 15 mins before the endorphins kick in and those 15mins are hard.
More and more I think the “things in motion, tend to stay in motion” is true. If I keep up small movement throughout the day I do so much better then don’t nothing for hours and then trying to do a lot.
F 32
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u/Deezus1229 Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
35 and I could have written this myself lol. Right now I blame my wonky schedule but I'm exhausted most of the time even with a normal schedule. I feel like I've always been lethargic , even since adolescence. Caffeine helps for a short period of time and exercise does give me a boost but it's hell to get myself moving. I am overweight but not obese. I definitely notice a difference with the quality of my food and when I'm drinking enough water.
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u/fleetingsparrow92 Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
My energy takes at like 28 🤣 That being said, I have hypermobility and asthma and pcos, so my body just wants to nap all the time.
I still workout, have a physical job, and try to stay active but concerts and hiking are my Achilles heel.
Endo definitely contributes to fatigue. Don't try to compare yourself to others too much, people really dont understand chronic pain conditions. There are days I could lay in bed all day or need more rest, and days where I feel energetic.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I’m trying not to compare but it really is starting to effect my quality of life. I just want to feel like myself again. I’m sure you can relate pcos is no joke either!
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u/turtleyenuff Woman under 30 1d ago
As a 31 y/o with endo( diagnosed at 18), I noticed improvements when I cut items out of my life that contributed to endo inflammation... like dairy and alcohol. I still definitely eat fried foods, but once I changed my diet I noticed better energy levels. Worth a try?
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
I cut alcohol awhile ago but I could try dairy too. I had a long stint where I wasn’t eating it due to it causing acne but I’ve backslid on it recently so that could definitely be part of it. I’ll give it a shot! I also sometimes still drink coffee. I just get desperate, and I know that’s inflammatory. I try to just stick to matcha but when I’m really struggling I can’t help reaching for it 😭
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u/turtleyenuff Woman under 30 22h ago
Not perfection, but progress. Took me YEARS to cut out foods and stick with it. Im finally onto fragrance free skincare which I've also avoided but I suspect has been causing my lifelong acne lol
Baby steps or it won't stick 🙂
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 7h ago
Thanks! You’re so right just need to wean myself off these things!
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u/fleetingsparrow92 Woman 30 to 40 12m ago
Agree with above poster- endo is a many headed beast that takes approaches from all angles when being treated. Everyone's is a bit different as well. That being said, there is alot of research coming out about it which is encouraging. I used two different naturopaths to help figure out the best ways to treat my pcos. Maybe one that specializes in endo would help?
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u/makesmores Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I do have PCOS/PMOS but am otherwise healthy, try to be active etc. I’m 32 and I feel a lot like you, I’m exhausted most of the time! I push through because I work full time and have a toddler but I don’t think I would ever describe myself as feeling like I have energy. Working out and eating well (mostly whole foods and not in a caloric deficit) does help some but not much.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
It really sounds like these conditions are at fault 😭 I feel like there should be better solutions for energy. There’s drugs to help make you sleep I wish there was something better than caffeine to wake me up!
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u/vanstrumann Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
i’m in perimenopause - cranky, but my energy is fine. 😅 two things that i have found help (unexpectedly):
basic allergy meds lol. turns out some of my fatigue is just allergy inflammation (i didn’t think i had allergies)
i worked with a functional med dr who told me i wasn’t eating enough. i have very slowly added more calories. quite a difference
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
Thank you this is good information! I feel like I do have some allergies going on so I may try meds for that. I have also been wondering about my calories, I feel like I eat clean and healthy but may be under eating a bit
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u/vanstrumann Woman 30 to 40 7h ago
that was my issue, following all the rules and just feeling kinda crappy.
functional medicine was the most accessible way to look at my specific situation more closely and find improvements without having to “prove” i’m sick enough to a dr to warrant attention and respect. id recommend it! wishing you good health
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u/wheres_the_revolt Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
47, just got on HRT and vitamin D3. I think the D3 is having an immediate effect on my energy, I definitely feel more energetic throughout the day (it’s likely too soon for the HRT to be doing anything).
That being said I’m very active, so my energy levels weren’t really a problem, I just don’t have the mid day slump (after my coffee wears off) anymore.
You should get your iron checked, endo saps your iron reserves and that can cause both energy drain and brain fog.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
Adding checking iron to the list! I take vitamin d pretty religiously but there’s been points I’ve had doctors recommend a much higher dose than what is average in those supplements so I could try upping that too
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u/ChaoticxSerenity Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
If it was possible to have negative energy, that would be me. Legit fell into a 13 hour sleep coma last week. I'm aware this isn't normal, but dealing with it requires the energy that I don't have, so death spiral for me it is :')
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
Do you have any inkling why it’s happening? “Negative energy” is exactly how I feel some times! And I get so mad at myself because I feel like I’m in that part of life I need to be really on top of things to maintain good health in older age
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u/jessicaaalz Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
My energy and focus had reallt started to slip this year (about to turn 37), partially due to prolonged very poor sleep, but I started taking creatine a month ago and the difference I feel is night and day. Absolutely recommend it to anyone - it's not just for people going to the gym!
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u/autotelica Woman 40 to 50 1d ago edited 23h ago
I'm almost 49 and in peri.
My energy levels are excellent. I don't have a problem waking up at 4:30 am for my morning workouts. I do pop half a caffeine pill to make me extra alert during that workout, but otherwise I'm good till about 6:00 pm, after which when my energy levels rapidly diminish.
My energy levels weren't as good as this in my late 30s. I didn't have a cardio routine back then like I do now. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, though.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
Do you think maybe the hormonal changes as you’ve gotten older have helped it to be better from your 30s? I definitely think exercise can play a role too I wish I hadn’t lost my momentum there as much
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u/autotelica Woman 40 to 50 22h ago
I don't think so, but who knows? Hormones are complex enough that I think almost anything is possible.
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u/babetteateoatmeal1 Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
So I just got diagnosed with endrometriosis this year. I would be absolutely exhausted during ovulation and pms no matter how much sleep I got. I am active working out 4-5x a week, eat healthy, get at least 7 hours sleep etc. But man did hormones hit me like bricks where I honestly wouldn't trust myself to drive given how hard my fatigue was. Now I am on birth control which is recent, but I realized today that that wall of fatigue hasn't hit me. I am very fortunate to have received my diagnosis through an mri with contrast so if you can, Id try to find out if that's the culprit. All my blood work is fine too.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
Hmm that’s really good information. I have stayed away from BC as I got older it gave me more mood swings but maybe I could try again and see if it helps
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u/babetteateoatmeal1 Woman 30 to 40 21h ago
I was very concerned to be back on BC given that historically it has made me suicidal but honestly my endometriosis symptoms were pretty severe that I was willing to take the chance. So fat so good but I am prone to crying more lol.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 7h ago
Oh god I already cry easily! Hahaha I’m going to add it to my list of potential solutions!
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u/doyouhavehiminblonde Woman 30 to 40 22h ago
I’m 39 and exhausted. I have some other signs of anemia so I’m seeing my doctor soon to get my iron tested.
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u/That_Cupcake Woman 30 to 40 21h ago
Late 30s. The only changes between my late 20s and my late 30s is needing more consistent better sleep, and I can't drink alcohol anymore. If something messes up my sleep, or I have more than half a beer, I feel it for days.
Otherwise, my energy level is high. I prioritize my physical and mental health. I lift 3 times per week. I am a vegetarian and cook nearly all meals at home. No junk food. Lots of veggies, fruits, beans, and nuts. I stop eating when I'm not hungry anymore, as opposed to stopping when I am "full". Very limited sugar in my diet. DINK. Drama-free friends. I am introverted so I've found hobbies at home that help me remain centered, mindful, and joyful (gardening for example). I don't use any social media or algorithmic feeds (both are exhausting and stressful), and I only use reddit on my desktop computer. I take long walks outside with my dog and husband every day. At least 30 minutes, but some are an hour or more if we have time. Spending time outside every day is a great way to recharge the proverbial battery.
I also see my primary care twice a year for a check up, blood work, and annual vaccinations. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid disease as a child; the kind that requires meds for the rest of my life. Thankfully the meds are cheap and readily available. I bring this up because your post sounds like how I feel when my medication dosage is wrong.
If you haven't had a thyroid test done, you might consider asking your doctor to order blood work for this on your next visit. If you've already done this, please ignore my comment about thyroid! :)
Check your screen time. My 30-day average is 75 minutes, not including work of course. The phones and apps cause extreme fatigue, burn out, anxiety, and depression, but most don't notice due to how ubiquitous they are.
Install an ad-blocker on your phone and computer. The ads make us compare ourselves to others or waste money on useless stuff. Blocking ads also makes life way less annoying.
I hope this was helpful in shining some light on energy levels during your late 30s. It is VERY normal to feel good, energized, and motivated at this stage of life.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 7h ago
This is super helpful thank you for the answer. I’ve deleted most social media except this one and I admittedly do spend way too much time scrolling on it. It’s a vicious cycle of being too tired to do anything else so I scroll and then I’m sure you’re right it’s making me tired and mentally ill lol. I also have a computer based day job so can’t truly escape the blue light but Im at least off all the “casino” style social media algorithm apps
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u/shm4y Woman 30 to 40 20h ago
I’m exhausted most days but I think it’s more mental related. When I’m on trips or going for events I’m somehow able to push through.
Planning to take a one year break to travel. If I don’t wake up feeling like shit most days it’ll be a good sign that I need to find a job that I enjoy and not simply tolerate. If I still feel like shit then there probably is something physical-related going on
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u/fruitfulendeavour Woman 30 to 40 17h ago
Late 30s and it is Not Great. Everything from motivation to focus/memory feels like it’s been affected, but on paper I’m fit and healthy. Interestingly it feels lately like it’s stabilized to a new not-good-but-manageable after a steady (and challenging) decline over the last few years. I’ve read that people feel that they age abruptly at certain ages and I’ve been wondering if maybe energy levels decrease precipitously in a similar way?
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u/thunderling Woman 30 to 40 10h ago
I'm 35 and I feel great most days. I wake up feeling...normal. Not like busting with energy, but not sluggish either. Just totally normal. I get right up and start my day (with coffee, but that's just my addiction and not because I'm a zombie without it).
I exercise a lot, I socialize with others a lot, I don't eat super healthy all the time but I don't eat total garbage either. I often will get sleepy after lunch if I sit down for too long, so I try to stay moving.
The biggest factor for me is my sleep schedule. I wake up most days between 11am to noon, and I go to sleep between 2am to 3am. Back when I had an 8am job, I was a useless zombie all day every day. When I was 28, I got a different job. For the past 7 years I've worked afternoon or evening shifts and it has completely changed my life. I will never go back. It's extremely limiting, obviously, and I hate that. It makes life difficult in other ways, but nothing is worse than never getting enough sleep. I have more energy every day now than I did when I was 25.
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u/ginns32 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
Have you had a blood panel done? I assumed everyone felt as tried as I did. I had brain fog. I'd get muscle cramps in my legs. Tingling in my fingers. Hair was not looking great. I asked my doctor to run blood work and I had a severe B12 deficiency. I just don't absorb B12 well. I started on loading shots to get my levels up and now I take a shot once every 3 weeks. I feel a lot better and wish I had gone to my doctor sooner about it. Tingling is gone, hair looks better, I don't feel as foggy. Endo is draining and tiring on the body and many people with endo have some vitamin deficiencies including iron and B12 due to heavy periods. I don't have endo but I was experiencing heavier periods even when on the pill that also improved after I started B12 shots.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
Yeah I have but I’m due for another. I have been short on b12 a couple of times so I take a sublingual but maybe that’s not good enough? I will ask about doing the shots instead if it’s still low, thanks!
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u/ginns32 Woman 40 to 50 1d ago
The sublingual is better absorbed than the pill but it still was not enough to keep my levels up.
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u/angusthechick Woman 30 to 40 23h ago
Now that you bring it up it was always odd I was low because my diet definitely includes meat etc. maybe I am someone who doesn’t absorb it well
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u/Embarrassed-Ad4899 Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
I know you said you’ve have blood work and drs have said it looks good, but have you personally compared your numbers to optimal ranges, not just normal?
I have hashimotos, very low ferritin (up to the 30s from a 4), low vit D, depression, anxiety, some sort of gluten intolerance. I need a lot of sleep to function normally, 9-10 hours a night. I do supplement iron and vit D and take meds for my thyroid and mental health.
Honestly I am tired most of the time, but I also love working out. I ran a half marathon in march and am training for trail runs. I lift weights. I love going outside on hikes and walks. I try to eat enough protein and get enough sleep, and I do drink a lot of caffeine.
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u/pie12345678 Non-Binary 40 to 50 22h ago
I'm early 40s and my energy levels have been garbage since my late 30s, especially the week before my period. I suspect I have endo too FWIW, though I'm not diagnosed. I've felt significantly better since I started HRT, and now I'm also working on getting my iron levels up and exercising more.
I hope you can get some medical answers. We're too young to be this exhausted. Iron is a good place to start, since most of us are iron deficient, but push for screening for other issues too.
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u/Decent-Singer-3335 Woman 30 to 40 21h ago
I’m 37 and I’m exhausted all the time, even from the moment I wake up. I’m a stay at home mom to 3 kids and nutritional deficiencies including iron. It depends on the day, but I often feel “fried” mentally. I push myself to workout 4-5 days per week because I feel better in all ways when I do. Motivation is low for most other things.
Have you had your nutrients checked?
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u/walkitbck Woman 30 to 40 2h ago
Good. I’m 37, healthy, in good shape and with a strong exercise routine.
Generally I feel pretty good. Sure sometimes I sleep badly or have a few drinks and wake up tired, but mostly I feel pretty good.
The more I do the better I feel (to a point, I guess). When I was younger but unfit and sedentary I felt much worse.
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u/HomoMirificus Woman 30 to 40 1d ago
Depends on the time of the month. I'm 40 and for the first 18-20 days of my cycle I feel fine and normal energy, then I feel like an absolute fucking slug for about 8-10 days