If you feel exhausted no matter how much you sleep, you’re not alone. Chronic fatigue and low energy are two of the most common health complaints. While stress and busy schedules get blamed, fatigue is often a sign of deeper imbalances in the body. Functional medicine looks beyond symptoms to uncover the root causes of chronic fatigue, so true healing can begin.
Hormone Imbalances
Hormones act as messengers that regulate energy, metabolism, and sleep. When hormones like thyroid hormones, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone are out of balance, fatigue quickly follows. Thyroid dysfunction and disrupted cortisol rhythms are especially common causes of low energy and burnout.
Poor Gut Health
Your gut plays a major role in energy production. Conditions like SIBO, dysbiosis, or leaky gut can impair nutrient absorption and increase inflammation. When digestion isn’t working properly, your cells don’t get the fuel they need, leading to chronic tiredness, brain fog, and low motivation.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Low levels of iron, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin D, and B vitamins can dramatically impact energy. Even people eating well may be deficient due to stress, gut issues, or poor absorption. Without these nutrients, your body struggles to produce energy efficiently.
Blood Sugar Imbalances
Energy crashes, cravings, irritability, and afternoon slumps are often signs of unstable blood sugar. Skipping meals, eating too many refined carbs, or relying on caffeine can create highs and lows that leave you feeling drained and foggy.
Chronic Stress and Adrenal Dysfunction
Long-term stress keeps the body in fight-or-flight mode. Over time, this disrupts cortisol patterns, affects sleep quality, and leads to feeling “tired but wired” or “tired and burnt out.” Many people with chronic fatigue are stuck in survival mode without realizing it.
Inflammation and Hidden Infections
Ongoing inflammation, autoimmune activity, mold exposure, or unresolved viral infections can silently drain energy. When the immune system is constantly activated, the body diverts energy away from daily functioning, leading to fatigue and tiredness.