Fatigue in hypothyroidism is common, and some people have it on a regular basis. Hormone replacement treatment, along with a thyroid-supportive diet and lifestyle, can help.
Hypothyroidism develops when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones.
This gland in the front of your lower neck may seem small, but it’s also responsible for regulating your metabolism, brain function, and heart. When you don’t have enough thyroid hormones in the body, long-term (chronic) fatigue may develop.
The key differences between short-term and chronic fatigue are the frequency and duration. While doctors generally diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome when symptoms last for at least
Hypothyroid fatigue is often a sign that your condition is either undertreated or untreated.
This article reviews the signs and symptoms of fatigue in hypothyroidism as well as some options to help you regain lost energy levels.
Your thyroid gland contributes to your metabolic health. It’s responsible for numerous functions in your body. Hypothyroidism can cause these functions to slow down. As a result, you may notice that you’re tired more than usual.
Aside from fatigue, other common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- brain fog
- forgetfulness
- depression
- dry skin
- sensitivity to cold temperatures
- constipation
While it’s common to feel tired from time to time, thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism can cause significant fatigue to the point where it affects your normal activities and everyday life.
Also, one major difference is that occasional tiredness goes away with good sleep. Fatigue, on the other hand, persists despite sleep.
With hypothyroid fatigue, you may feel too tired to do the activities you love, as well as your everyday commitments. And you may fall asleep in the middle of the day only to have a hard time sleeping at night.
On the flip side, fatigue along with feeling hot, being nervous, and not being able to sleep or unwind day or night is associated with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Your doctor may consider such symptoms chronic if they occur on an everyday basis for several weeks. Also, symptoms that occur while you’re taking thyroid medications could mean you need a different dosage.
What is thyroid burnout?
“Thyroid burnout” describes a situation when your thyroid gland excretes an excessive amount of hormones. This is also sometimes called temporary hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid burnout is usually followed by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid activity).
It’s important to note that hyperthyroidism can also lead to fatigue. An overactive metabolism can cause you to constantly be “on the go,” leading to burnout as well as daytime fatigue from not being able to sleep well at night.
Once you’re taking the right dosage of thyroid hormone replacement medications, you should have your thyroid levels checked once per year. However, there are exceptions to this rule, especially if you’re experiencing an increase in symptoms.
People in the early weeks of their diagnosis will also need to get their levels checked every 6 to 10 weeks as a doctor tries to determine the correct dosage for their medications.
If you’re still feeling excessively tired despite taking thyroid hormone replacement medications such as levothyroxine (Synthroid), the first step is to determine whether you’re taking your medication properly.
When and how to take thyroid replacement medications
According to the British Thyroid Foundation, levothyroxine — a synthetic thyroxine T4 medication — generally works best when you take it:
- at the same time every day, preferably upon waking up
- on an empty stomach and at least 30 minutes before eating
- with a full glass of water
- approximately 4 hours apart from nutrients and supplements that may decrease its absorption in the body, such as calcium and iron
- also 4 hours apart from certain medications, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and birth control pills
- separately from certain foods, such as grapefruit and soy
Contact a doctor if you’re still experiencing fatigue
If you’re still experiencing symptoms despite taking hormone replacement medications, consider contacting a doctor about possibly having your thyroid levels checked.
While most people see improved symptoms with synthetic T4 only, some may need the addition of synthetic T3 medications, such as liothyronine (Cytomel).
While there’s not a specific hypothyroidism diet, eating certain foods may help support your overall thyroid health. In turn, you may also experience more energy.
For example, one
Some of the same foods emphasized in a Mediterranean diet can also support thyroid health and energy levels. These include whole grains, healthy fats, and fish.
Aside from adopting a healthy diet, consider avoiding the following items to further support your thyroid and energy:
- iodine supplements
- kelp, which is high in iodine and may disrupt thyroid hormones
- alcohol
- excess caffeine
- foods with added sugar
- processed meals and snacks
You might also try eliminating gluten and lactose. However, be sure to talk with a doctor or nutritionist before adopting a gluten-free or dairy-free eating plan.
Aside from taking thyroid medications and eating a thyroid-friendly diet, there are also lifestyle changes you can make to help with hypothyroidism.
Consider the following tips:
- If you can, exercise regularly to help boost your mood and energy levels over time.
- For days you’re extra fatigued, consider gentler movement, such as yoga.
- Try to follow a sleep schedule as best as you can.
- Incorporate relaxing activities, such as reading or meditation, throughout the day.
- Delegate tasks at work and at home, if possible.
While these changes may not prevent all hypothyroid tiredness alone without taking medications, they can help support energy levels overall.
Fatigue is a common concern in hypothyroidism. Sometimes, it can be chronic and severe enough to affect your quality of life.
Taking thyroid replacement medications usually helps resolve fatigue once a doctor has established the right dosage to maintain healthy thyroid hormone levels. In the beginning of a hypothyroid diagnosis, this process can take time and some trial and error.
Since there’s no cure for most cases of hypothyroidism, you’ll need to take thyroid medications for life to help provide your body with enough hormones it needs. This means it’s important to take note of your symptoms and discuss any changes with a doctor.
In addition to taking thyroid medications, eating a healthy diet, adopting a regular sleep routine, and getting daily exercise may help support healthy energy levels so you can maintain your daily activities.