If I was to ask you to rate your energy on a scale of 1-10 (10 being great) what would you say? If you said lower than 5/10, even after a good nights sleep, it is something that should be addressed.
I like to review blood work first when fatigue is a concern, as a few common nutrient and hormone deficiencies can be the culprit. The reference ranges I refer to may be slightly different than your MD for a few reasons.
I want to optimize your levels to sustain better energy.
I am referring to the newest reference range recommendations that will hopefully be reflected in blood work soon.
I see results when patients levels reach a certain level.
So what blood work do I like to see and what levels should they be at? This may vary slightly depending on someone’s health history.
Vitamin B12 - This should be above 200 pmol/L, ideally above 450 pmol/L.
Ferritin - You have iron deficiency anemia if your ferritin level is below 30 ug/L. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common in today’s society. A full iron panel is not often needed.
TSH - Your thyroid stimulating hormone should be between 0.8-2.5 mIU/L. This can fluctuate during times of stress or hormone changes. Medication is not often needed until the level gets much higher, however supporting adrenals (stress hormones) and the thyroid gland if out of this range can help.
Morning Cortisol - Between 7-9am your level should ideally be between 450-550 nmol/L. Cortisol is an essential hormone that plays many important roles, including regulating your body's stress response. If it is low you are most likely suffering from burnout!
There are several reasons why someone may be deficient in any of these and it is important to address the cause as well as supplement for the deficiency.
Take a look at your most recent blood work. What are your levels like? I’m happy to help improve them and ultimately your energy!