Why You’re Always Tired | Constant Fatigue Causes Explained by Dr Olz

You sleep 7+ hours. Your blood tests are “normal.” But you still wake up tired, drag through the day, and crash hard by 3PM. Sound familiar?

If you’re constantly tired and doctors say you’re “fine,” you’re not crazy—you’re likely missing the root cause. As a virtual integrative doctor, I help patients daily who feel exhausted despite clean labs. Let’s break down why it’s happening and how to get your energy back.

Top Constant Fatigue Causes (That Don’t Show on Standard Blood Tests)

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Your cells have tiny energy factories (mitochondria). If they’re under-functioning due to nutrient deficiencies, toxins, or chronic stress—you feel flat, no matter how much you sleep.

🔬 Not tested in standard panels. Functional tests reveal CoQ10, B12, iron, or amino acid deficiencies affecting cellular energy.

Adrenal Fatigue / HPA Axis Dysfunction

This isn’t a “real” diagnosis in conventional medicine—but it’s very real for your body.

When you’re under constant pressure (work, parenting, financial stress), your adrenal glands get tired. They can’t regulate your cortisol rhythm, leaving you exhausted but wired, especially in the evenings.

Common signs:

• Morning fatigue
• Afternoon crash
• Second wind at night
• Salt or sugar cravings
• Anxiety or low motivation

Blood Sugar Instability

Fluctuating blood sugar (even without diabetes) can trigger energy crashes.
If your meals are carb-heavy or spaced too far apart, your energy rollercoasters.

📌 Fatigue Pattern: Energy spike after food → crash an hour or two later

Chronic Inflammation or Hidden Infections

Low-grade inflammation from gut issues, viruses, or poor sleep increases cytokines (inflammatory messengers). These cytokines hijack your brain’s motivation and energy.

⚠️ Think leaky gut, candida, or EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus)

Poor Detoxification

If your liver isn’t clearing toxins effectively—due to sluggish bile, poor methylation, or overload—you feel tired, foggy, and sluggish.

This especially applies if you react badly to perfumes, alcohol, medications, or processed foods.

Why Your Blood Tests Say “Normal” But You Don’t Feel Normal

Standard blood tests check ranges that are too broad and often miss subtle dysfunctions.

✅ At Ask Dr Olz, we look for optimal ranges, not just normal. For example:

• TSH may be 3.9 = “normal” but functionally it’s too high → sluggish thyroid
• Iron may be 12 = “technically okay” but too low to fuel your cells
• B12 may be 300 but you’re still foggy → needs methylation testing

Download free Constant Fatigue Protocol