Always Tired? It Might Be More Than a Busy Week
Feeling tired after a late night or a busy week is normal. Feeling tired most days, even after a good night's sleep, is different.
For busy professionals, parents, and students around Brisbane CBD, it can be easy to blame work, family life, or a packed schedule.
Our bodies often give us clues before a health problem becomes obvious. Feeling tired all the time can be one of them.
In this article
Why am I always tired?
Ongoing fatigue is different from simply feeling sleepy.
Some people sleep well but still wake up feeling exhausted, while others notice they are relying on several coffees just to get through the morning, or that everyday tasks feel harder than they used to.
You might find yourself:
- Struggling to keep paying attention / your mind wandering
- Checking the clock again and again for the next break
- Putting off simple tasks because they feel like too much effort
- Feeling unusually flat after work, study, or caring for children
Feeling tired all the time doesn't always have a single cause. Looking at your symptoms together often provides the clearest picture.
Could it be low iron?
When iron levels are low, your muscles and organs receive less oxygen, which can leave you feeling tired even after resting.
Other signs of low iron can include:
- Short of breath after climbing a flight of stairs or walking uphill
- Light-headed when standing up quickly
- Finding it harder to concentrate at work or while studying
- Looking paler than usual, especially around your inner eyelids or gums
- Restless legs, particularly in the evening or when trying to fall asleep
Low iron is a common cause of ongoing fatigue. A GP can assess your symptoms and arrange a blood test if appropriate. Learn more about our General Practice services.
▶️ Watch
This 20 minute Australian Prescriber podcast explains why iron deficiency is common, often overlooked, and how it is diagnosed.
Could it be diabetes?
National Diabetes Week highlights that ongoing tiredness can sometimes be one of the early signs of diabetes.
Other symptoms may include increased thirst, needing to urinate more often, blurred vision, or wounds that are slow to heal.
Fatigue alone does not mean you have diabetes, but it is one reason your GP may recommend further assessment.
Energy & Fatigue Check
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What can a GP check?
Depending on your symptoms, your GP may discuss your medical history, medications, sleep, and lifestyle.
They may also recommend checking your blood pressure or arranging blood tests to look for causes such as low iron, diabetes, thyroid conditions, or other health concerns.
Checking blood pressure is a quick, routine assessment that may form part of investigating ongoing tiredness.
You don't have to put up with feeling tired
Many causes of ongoing fatigue can be investigated with a GP appointment and, if needed, some simple tests.
You might be able to push through tiredness with another coffee or by simply getting on with the day. The problem is that ongoing fatigue often becomes most noticeable when life gets busy, whether that's travelling, looking after children, working long hours, or enjoying social events that should be fun.
At Turbot Street Medical Centre in Spring Hill, we care for patients from Brisbane CBD and nearby suburbs including Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Kangaroo Point, and South Brisbane.
The clinic is open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, with same-day appointments often available.