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Causes of fatigue with endometriosis
October 18, 2020
Hi Warriors

Possible causes of fatigue with endometriosis



I want to talk about fatigue with endometriosis in this newsletter as I know so many of you suffer this distressing symptom.


This is one symptom I remember so well when I had endometriosis. It used to feel like the life-force had been sucked out of me. It was awful and very distressing. As well as fatigue being caused by your body trying to cope with the pain and inflammation of the disease, there may be other causes for your fatigue.







FATIGUE AND ENDOMETRIOSIS

This subject is mentioned a lot in the endo community. Here are a few tips that may help or other health issues that may need considering.

FATIGUE AND POSSIBLE CAUSES - Here are some thoughts on what to do and/or tests to get done if you are exhausted all the time:

DIET: Eliminating gluten, dairy and sugar can help a lot with inflammation for those with endometriosis. Inflammation in the body can be very draining as the body is constantly trying to manage this inflammation.

Also: Blood sugar/glucose issues are common in many; this is something to consider if you get sleepy before/after meals.Also: Caffeine. Eliminate it if possible, it can mess with your HPA-axis (adrenals/cortisol). Same with alcohol, it can mess with your sleep cycle.

THYROID: Are you suffering from hypothyroid? This can leave you feeling really weak and fatigued. You need to get tested for TSH, T4, T3 (the active hormone) and thyroid anti- bodies.

ADRENALS: If they are not making enough cortisol, you will be tired. Or tired and wired. If your curve is off you may be tired during the day and awake at 3am. A 4-point saliva or urine test is needed to see your cortisol curve. Easy to test on your own by getting a 4-point saliva test from independent labs online if your doctor will not run this test.

Closely related to adrenals is LIFESTYLE and EXERCISE: Are you going to bed at the same time? Are you avoiding computers/screens before bedtime? Are you getting sunlight and exercise every day (even if it’s just a walk around the block a couple times a day)? However, too much exercise can tank your adrenals. Listen to your body.

VITAMIN D: Get both tests if you can - DO25 and D1,25. See note below about magnesium if you are supplementing with D. Low vitamin D has been linked to the severity of endometriosis.

MAGNESIUM: Magnesium Malate is very supportive for energy and women with endo can become depleted in magnesium due to stress.

Also: If you are taking high doses of Vit D, up your magnesium intake. Vitamin D can deplete your magnesium stores.

IRON: Having low iron is common for those with endometriosis due to heavy blood loss. Test for Iron, Ferritin, TIBC, and %saturation is needed for a full picture. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, but if you have inflammation (high ferritin *may* be an indicator of this), taking iron supplements is like throwing gasoline on a fire. Eating iron-rich foods, however, is strongly encouraged along with getting your inflammation down.

B12: Get tested to see if you are deficient in this vitamin - supplement if needed with the correct type of B12. Some find it hard to absorb B12 and despite supplementing it can build up in your system without being absorbed. Taking a small dose of lithium orotate (OTC supplement, not prescription med) can aid in absorption.

SLEEP: As mentioned above, getting enough sleep is obviously going to weigh in to your energy levels. Sleep can be very difficult for those with endo due to pain keeping you awake. Try soaking in a bath with Epsom salts with essential oils to relax your muscles and help reduce pain. Many are having success with CBD for pain and to help with sleep.

OTHER: Candida, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth) and IBS, and other issues can all leave you drained and fatigued. SIBO is especially an issue as it can reduce the absorption of vital nutrients and SIBO seems to be common for those with endometriosis.

It may be a good idea to get some tests done just to ensure you are not dealing with other health problems of nutrient deficiencies.





A NEW RESOURCE FOR YOU







I have now set up a NEW private group at Facebook with a focus on nutrition, natural therapies and self-help tips to help manage endometriosis naturally. It is a place where you can discuss all endo related issues in a safe private environment. The group was only set up yesterday so it looks a little quiet there, but every group has to start somewhere.

I hope to get another member on the Moderator team with endometriosis and mental health experience, to help provide advice on the emotional aspect of dealing with endometriosis.

You can find more details here:

new facebook group


I hope you are staying safe warriors and you are having a pain-free day. If you have any questions or need some support you can always contact me at the website here:


Contact endo-resolved


Till next time, stay safe

With healing thoughtsCarolyn


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