Chronic Fatigue
At The Goode Health Clinic, we work with individuals experiencing chronic fatigue and the profound impact it can have on daily life. Chronic fatigue is more than just feeling tired—it is a complex condition that often involves persistent exhaustion, brain fog, muscle weakness, and a diminished ability to recover from stress or physical activity. It affects not only energy levels but also mental clarity, emotional resilience, and overall quality of life.
We take a comprehensive approach to assessing chronic fatigue, looking at underlying factors such as mitochondrial function, adrenal health (cortisol and DHEA levels), thyroid function, gut health, and nutrient status. By evaluating these systems, we can better understand the root causes of your fatigue and create a tailored plan to address them.
Root causes we commonly see in chronic fatigue include mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, viral reactivations, hormonal imbalances, gut dysbiosis, poor sleep quality, and unresolved emotional or physical stressors. By addressing these interconnected factors, we help you restore your energy, vitality, and overall sense of well-being.
The Onset of Chronic Fatigue
-
✺
Everyday Stressors & Pushing Through:
In the initial stage, the body is coping with daily stressors, such as work demands, family responsibilities, or a busy schedule. Many individuals dismiss feelings of tiredness as a normal part of life, relying on stimulants like caffeine or pushing through without adequate rest. Over time, this “push through” mentality begins to strain the body’s stress-response system, particularly the adrenal glands, which regulate cortisol and energy production. While fatigue may feel manageable at this stage, the foundation is being laid for deeper imbalances.
-
✺
Unexplained but Persistent Symptoms:
As the body struggles to keep up, subtle yet persistent symptoms begin to emerge. These may include brain fog, disrupted sleep, low energy, muscle aches, or frequent colds. Despite these signals, many people continue to overlook the root cause, attributing the symptoms to aging, stress, or lifestyle factors. This stage marks a turning point where the body’s reserves are running low, and recovery from even minor stress becomes increasingly difficult.
-
✺
Burnout:
When persistent stress and unresolved symptoms go unaddressed, the body enters a state of burnout. At this stage, fatigue becomes severe, emotional resilience wanes, and symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and an inability to concentrate become more pronounced. The nervous system shifts into a state of chronic dysregulation, and physical recovery slows dramatically. People in this stage may feel they’ve hit a wall, unable to perform at their previous level despite their best efforts.
-
✺
Chronic Fatigue:
Chronic fatigue, characterised by prolonged, debilitating exhaustion. results in even minimal physical or mental exertion leading to a significant worsening of symptoms, known as post-exertional malaise. Individuals often experience a wide range of issues, such as chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, gut dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. This phase requires a comprehensive approach to identify and address the root causes, focusing on restoring energy at a cellular level and rebalancing the body’s systems.
Chronic Fatigue Symptoms
While persistent exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest is the main symptom discussed, symptoms of chronic fatigue are wide ranging. There are physical and emotional symptoms…
PHYSICAL…
Persistent exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest
Post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after physical or mental activity)
Muscle weakness or aches
Joint pain without swelling or inflammation
Headaches or migraines
Unrefreshing sleep or difficulty staying asleep
Sensitivity to light, sound, or temperature
Frequent sore throat or swollen lymph nodes
Digestive issues, including bloating or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Heart palpitations or a racing heart
Dizziness
EMOTIONAL…
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Impaired memory or difficulty processing information
Low mood or feelings of depression
Increased irritability or frustration
Anxiety or heightened emotional sensitivity
Lack of motivation or drive
Feelings of overwhelm or inability to handle stress
Emotional detachment or loss of joy in activities
Conventional treatment for Chronic Fatigue
Conventional treatment for chronic fatigue typically focuses on symptom management, often involving antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or sleep aids.
The biggest misconceptions with Chronic Fatigue.
“Chronic fatigue is just being tired.”
One of the biggest misconceptions is that chronic fatigue is simply about feeling tired, like after a poor night’s sleep or a busy week. In reality, chronic fatigue is a complex and debilitating condition that involves persistent exhaustion, which does not improve with rest. It often impacts multiple body systems, including energy production, immune function, and the nervous system, making recovery far more challenging than simply "catching up on sleep."
“It’s all in your head.”
Chronic fatigue is sometimes dismissed as a psychological issue, with sufferers being told their symptoms are due to anxiety, depression, or lack of motivation. While mental health can play a role, chronic fatigue has clear physiological underpinnings, including mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and viral reactivations. Labeling it as “just psychological” can delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
“Only extreme cases of fatigue qualify as chronic fatigue syndrome.”
Many people believe they don’t have chronic fatigue unless they meet the formal criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). However, chronic fatigue exists on a spectrum, and many individuals experience significant fatigue and associated symptoms without a CFS/ME diagnosis. Early intervention is crucial to prevent worsening symptoms and long-term health impacts.
“There’s nothing you can do about it.”
A pervasive misconception is that chronic fatigue has no solution, leaving sufferers to believe they must simply “live with it.” While conventional medicine may offer limited options, functional medicine takes a deeper approach to uncover and address root causes, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances. With the right support, recovery is possible.
Chronic Fatigue Testing
In conventional medicine chronic fatigue testing is limited, usually based on the following tests:
Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for anaemia or infection.
Thyroid Function Tests: TSH and T4 levels to identify hypothyroidism.
Basic Metabolic Panel: To evaluate electrolyte balance, kidney function, and glucose levels.
Mental Health Assessments: Questionnaires to rule out anxiety, depression, or other psychological factors.
By coming to us and taking a functional medicine approach you get a holistic, root cause plan and have access to a wide variety of testing using UK, Europe and American testing labs, including some or all of the following:
Comprehensive Thyroid Panel: Including TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (TPO, TG, TRAb).
Adrenal Function Testing: Measuring cortisol and DHEA levels throughout the day to assess adrenal health.
Mitochondrial Function Testing: Evaluating energy production at the cellular level.
Nutrient Testing: To identify deficiencies in magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, CoQ10, iron, and amino acids.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis: To assess gut health, microbiome balance, and signs of inflammation or infection.
Viral Testing: Screening for reactivated viruses like Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), or other chronic infections.
Inflammatory Markers: Such as CRP, homocysteine, and cytokines to detect systemic inflammation.
Hormonal Testing: Including sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and insulin resistance markers.
Environmental Toxin Testing: To identify heavy metals, mould exposure, or other toxins that may burden energy systems.
Mycotoxin Testing: Evaluating exposure to mould toxins that may contribute to fatigue and immune dysfunction.
Autoantibody Testing: Identifying autoantibodies linked to immune dysfunction, which may indicate underlying autoimmune activity contributing to fatigue.
Nutrigenomics and Genetic Testing: Evaluating genetic predispositions impacting energy metabolism, detoxification, and mitochondrial function.
Take a functional approach…
Root Causes
At The Goode Health Clinic, we believe chronic fatigue is a multifaceted condition often driven by interconnected factors. Understanding these root causes is essential for creating an effective recovery plan. Some of the most common root causes we see include:
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of your cells. When they are impaired due to oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies, or toxin exposure, energy production declines, leading to chronic fatigue.
Adrenal Dysregulation: Chronic stress can overwork the adrenal glands, resulting in imbalanced cortisol levels that disrupt energy production, resilience, and sleep patterns.
Chronic Inflammation: Persistent inflammation, often triggered by infections, autoimmunity, or environmental toxins, diverts the body’s resources and contributes to fatigue and systemic imbalance.
Viral Reactivations: Viruses such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), or others can become reactivated under stress or immune suppression, causing lingering fatigue and other symptoms.
Oxidative Stress: An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body can lead to cellular damage, including mitochondrial dysfunction. Oxidative stress is a key driver of chronic fatigue and aging-related energy decline.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Key nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, CoQ10, and iron are essential for energy metabolism. Deficiencies can impair mitochondrial function and overall vitality.
Gut Imbalances: Poor gut health, including dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome, or food sensitivities, can drive inflammation and limit nutrient absorption, contributing to fatigue.
Hormonal Imbalances: Disruptions in thyroid function, sex hormones, or insulin sensitivity can impact energy levels and lead to chronic fatigue.
Mycotoxin Exposure: Mould toxins can suppress mitochondrial function and immune resilience, contributing to persistent fatigue and other systemic symptoms.
Sleep Dysregulation: Poor-quality sleep, whether from insomnia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or insufficient rest, prevents the body from fully restoring energy levels.
Toxin Accumulation: Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, or other environmental toxins can burden detoxification pathways and lead to cellular damage and fatigue.
By addressing these root causes, functional medicine provides a comprehensive and personalised approach to restoring optimal health and overall well-being.
How The Goode Health Clinic supports Chronic Fatigue?
Our Immune Health Clinic supports patients with Chronic Fatigue. We dig deep into your root causes to help your body find balance and bring you back to the optimal version of you.