Supplements for low energy issues?

[puzzle]

Hi guys! I am currently a busy college student with two horses (I ride them each 5 days a week, and it’s a workout to be sure). I’ve been very tired for the last year or so, and have gone to the doctor, who has found nothing. I do have some immune issues, allergies, and significant (fairly controlled) asthma, however, which could be really sapping my energy. Right now I sleep 8-9 hours a night but usually need a 2 hour nap in the afternoon (fine in college - really not fine when I start my Big Girl Job in a couple of months).

I do all the right things - consistent exercise, decent diet, stable sleep cycle, medication to control asthma and immune issues (no steroids other than inhaled, thank heavens).

I do drink some coffee in the morning but not after 3 pm.

Have you guys had success with CoQ10? B vitamins? something else? I just need my zip back.

Already tried iron and D vitamins (I was mildly deficient in both at one point) without much change.

[Color_of_Light]

@puzzle

Hi guys! I am currently a busy college student with two horses (I ride them each 5 days a week, and it’s a workout to be sure). I’ve been very tired for the last year or so, and have gone to the doctor, who has found nothing. I do have some immune issues, allergies, and significant (fairly controlled) asthma, however, which could be really sapping my energy. Right now I sleep 8-9 hours a night but usually need a 2 hour nap in the afternoon (fine in college - really not fine when I start my Big Girl Job in a couple of months).

I do all the right things - consistent exercise, decent diet, stable sleep cycle, medication to control asthma and immune issues (no steroids other than inhaled, thank heavens).

I do drink some coffee in the morning but not after 3 pm.

Have you guys had success with CoQ10? B vitamins? something else? I just need my zip back.

Already tried iron and D vitamins (I was mildly deficient in both at one point) without much change.

Tired for over a year doesn’t sound like it’s something vitamins or stimulants can fix. Something bigger is probably going on. It could be an autoimmune issues, adrenal, thyroid, who knows. What tests did the doctor run? Have you had a complete autoimmune workup, thyroid and adrenal? Your body is telling you something is wrong. College and riding two horses is a lot, but chronically over doing it, plus immune problems can turn into autoimmune or other problems.

[GreyDes]

Have you been checked for sleep apnea?

[Marla_100]

‘Decent’ diet may need to be improved. More green leafy stuff, more beans, more good protein. 2 Boost drinks
per day will help also.

Your body may be affected by the ‘drugs’ you’re taking for your allergies, immune problems, etc. Remember all drugs
have side effects. Look it up.

go to bed an hour earlier and see if it helps.

[kmbhoya2000]

I have autoimmune issues & asthma. I am on steroids & have been for 25 years. I take Thrive, which has helped a ton.

[puzzle]

I do not have sleep apnea (had it as a child, had tonsils removed -> been totally fine ever since). I’ve been checked for thyroid and we’ve looked for autoimmune stuff (but could have missed it, my immune system is wonky - hard to get a good immunologist unfortunately). Adrenals we did check as well, also looked for Lyme etc… I’m kind of stumped. So is my PCP, who’s advice is to sleep more and be less stressed (tried that, not solving the issue).

[Color_of_Light]

@puzzle

I do not have sleep apnea (had it as a child, had tonsils removed -> been totally fine ever since). I’ve been checked for thyroid and we’ve looked for autoimmune stuff (but could have missed it, my immune system is wonky - hard to get a good immunologist unfortunately). Adrenals we did check as well, also looked for Lyme etc… I’m kind of stumped. So is my PCP, who’s advice is to sleep more and be less stressed (tried that, not solving the issue).

Which thyroid tests did you have? There are certain ones which are the right diagnostics, and then there are ones that are commonly used that are not and are actually inconclusive. Unless your doctor really understands thyroid function, it’s common to be told your levels are good or normal, when instead they are too low in the range. The fact is, people feel best and have the least symptoms in a specific area of each range. I have Hashimoto’s and I know that I have to keep my levels within certain numbers, or else I’d be fatigued, in pain, feel sick, etc.

Which autoimmune tests did you have? The ones you have matter, too. There are some general, more basic tests that indicate non-specific autoimmune disease in general, tests that indicate inflammation (often part of autoimmune problems), and others that are specific to a particular disease. There are about 7-9 basic general tests, 5-ish general inflammation tests, and then after that, about 10 or so more specific ones for common autoimmune diseases.

Did you have a comprehensive metabolic panel and a CBC? These are basic first-line tests. They may or may not show a problem. Even if they are normal, you can have all sorts of things going on. How high is your Vitamin D? Have you had an full iron panel?

[Magicboy]

Mother Earth labs makes a total vitamin supplement in liquid form that you might wNt to explore…it’s called osteo wellness
and I’d would definitely add a protein drink late afternoon or mid morning to help your energy level

[puzzle]

I’ve had T3 tested and just the baseline CBC and metabolic panel, I believe. I have adequate ferritin but I am just somewhat anemic anyways, which the doctor was rather unconcerned about (I believe I was iron deficient before that, YEARS ago - but I’m not now, according to the bloodwork. Just plain anemic). I am borderline vitamin D deficient but haven’t been retested in the last year (with supplementation since) so I should get that redone. Thanks for the insight - I’m realizing I should push my doctor a bit to get some more blood tests done. The feeling seems to be “meh, she does really well given the asthma and immune issues plus being a full time student and riding” - the fatigue isn’t taken seriously but it should be.

[Color_of_Light]

@puzzle

I’ve had T3 tested and just the baseline CBC and metabolic panel, I believe. I have adequate ferritin but I am just somewhat anemic anyways, which the doctor was rather unconcerned about (I believe I was iron deficient before that, YEARS ago - but I’m not now, according to the bloodwork. Just plain anemic). I am borderline vitamin D deficient but haven’t been retested in the last year (with supplementation since) so I should get that redone. Thanks for the insight - I’m realizing I should push my doctor a bit to get some more blood tests done. The feeling seems to be “meh, she does really well given the asthma and immune issues plus being a full time student and riding” - the fatigue isn’t taken seriously but it should be.

Only T3? There are three tests together, otherwise the results are incomplete and incorrect. TSH, FT3 and FT4. There are several T3 tests. Which one was it?

Anemia is lacking red blood cells and can be due to not enough iron, B12, folate or other causes. If you’re talking iron, the most common cause of iron deficiency is anemia, which is when you have abnormally low hemoglobin. If you don’t have enough iron, your production of red blood cells slows down, add in periods or heavy periods, and you have low iron in your body, or iron deficiency anemia. Adequate ferritin doesn’t mean your other iron levels are adequate. What is plain anemic, and how is it being treated?

Low or deficient vitamin D will do a number on you, that’s for sure. Low D effects the immune system, causes fatigue, depression, bone, muscle and back pain, hair loss, bone loss.

Immune issues. These could be autoimmune. Have you done autoimmune testing? It doesn’t sound like you’re doing very well if you’ve had these symptoms over a year. There is always a cause of symptoms if you look hard enough.

[xeroxchick]

Axio packets, a vitamin and caffeine suppliment (there is a no caffeine too) is a great thing for energy. You mix a packet with water. Life Vantage sells it. Full disclosure, I have no skin in this game at all, just really love this energy Suppliment . Worth a try.

[hoopoe]

sounds like you need to see someone like an internal medicine specialist or immunologist. A PCP probably wont cut it for your needs

[Color_of_Light]

@xeroxchick

Axio packets, a vitamin and caffeine suppliment (there is a no caffeine too) is a great thing for energy. You mix a packet with water. Life Vantage sells it. Full disclosure, I have no skin in this game at all, just really love this energy Suppliment . Worth a try.

If this is a thyroid or autoimmune disease or some other fatigue causing disease that goes undiagnosed, a stimulant might mask the condition for awhile or might lead to adrenal fatigue.

[Color_of_Light]

@puzzle

Adrenals we did check as well,

Have you been tested for diabetes? That can make you fatigued.

How about tested for the mono virus, Epstein Barr and other viruses? You could have chronic Epstein Barr.

For adrenals, did you test ACTH and then which cortisol tests? 24 hour urine, saliva, a.m. cortisol, or serum cortisol taken at any time?

[MissCoco]

Good call on pushing your doctor a bit more! It can be really hard to get fatigue conditions diagnosed, especially if you are performing well in school, staying active etc.
If you are having trouble finding an immunologist, try a rheumatologist? At least in my neck of the woods they are easier to find, and as far as blood testing and interpreting results, their first whack will probably be fairly similar to where an immunologist would start. It’s also a specialty that sees lots of patients trying to figure out conditions, so many rheumatologists have a good idea of who they’ll want to refer you to if they can’t get stuff figured out.

I’d also see a sleep doctor, because feeling tired after sleeping a good amount (and regularly taking fairly long daytime naps) might indicate a sleep disorder of some type. Also neurologists are another flavor of Dr. that deals with a fair number of mystery patients, so again you may find someone who has better ideas about where to look next than your PCP.
Good luck with figuring this out! It can be a frustrating process.

[puzzle]

Hey guys! I am working to get my paws on my medical records, as I’m a scientist myself and can at least get a baseline for what’s actually been done. Thanks for all the advice! Interestingly, I have felt MUCH better the last 2-3 weeks - not sure what is up with that, no significant change other than a new multivitamin. I will let you guys know when I figure out what my next step is.
It’s really hard to get the doctors to take this seriously, and I need a referral to see anyone but my (usually truly excellent) PCP - who thinks this is just “normal tiredness” and some kind of bizarro non-iron deficiency anemia (I do remember now that I wracked my brain that they tested a full iron panel, all came back normal - that includes serum iron, ferritin, transferrin and TIBC I believe). I think the thought with the anemia may have been that it isn’t surprising in the context of an individual with a funky immune system and some chronic inflammation from allergies (I’ve done the whole allergy shot/antihistamine/immune modulator thing, with great success - but unless I want to live in a sterile plastic bubble forever, I’m always going to have some level of inflammation… I’m allergic to so many environmental things that even if avoid many/most of them and are desensitized to some, there are inevitably others that I run into - luckily for me, animals are one of the few things I’m really not allergic to).

[SweetMutt]

I know my allergies can leave me profoundly exhausted. A couple other things though - I had general malaise for a long time that my doctor chalked it up to lifestyle and stress. Given that none of us have perfect habits, that’s hard to argue with. However, it turned out I had quite a lot of gallstones, discovered in the ER during an attack. They removed my gallbladder right away and I have WAY more energy now (though a number of other issues, but that’s another story.) Post-surgery, I also cleaned my diet way up (very little sugar, of course a lot less animal fat, lots more plants) and started on a number of vitamins & supplements. Adaptogenic herbs made a big difference. So big of a difference I’m not entirely sure they’re safe for me to recommend to others! :lol: But read up on them if you’re interested.

I also know that my first job after college was way more chill than college itself. You might find you finally get time to sleep soon. Hope you continue feeling better!

[CindyCRNA]

@SweetMutt

I know my allergies can leave me profoundly exhausted. A couple other things though - I had general malaise for a long time that my doctor chalked it up to lifestyle and stress. Given that none of us have perfect habits, that’s hard to argue with. However, it turned out I had quite a lot of gallstones, discovered in the ER during an attack. They removed my gallbladder right away and I have WAY more energy now (though a number of other issues, but that’s another story.) Post-surgery, I also cleaned my diet way up (very little sugar, of course a lot less animal fat, lots more plants) and started on a number of vitamins & supplements. Adaptogenic herbs made a big difference. So big of a difference I’m not entirely sure they’re safe for me to recommend to others! :lol: But read up on them if you’re interested.

I also know that my first job after college was way more chill than college itself. You might find you finally get time to sleep soon. Hope you continue feeling better!

Which ones? How much? I need details!!

[SweetMutt]

@CindyCRNA

Which ones? How much? I need details!!

I’m taking rhodiola, 500 mg once a day in the morning with my multivitamin. There are a bunch of different adaptogenic herbs, ginseng seeming to be the most mainstream, and not a lot of solid research, so I think to each their own on this one. I seriously noticed a HUGE difference when I started taking it. And interestingly, I later noticed that one of the pro-mood probiotics I have contains a small amount of rhodiola.

I’m curious to hear about others’ experiences, so do PM me if you try it! I take this one: https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Rhodiola-500mg-60-Capsules/dp/B005P0U7TY?th=1

[Kickin_It]

Try a B-Complex vitamin as well.