Feeling Wiped Out?
3 Questions Reveal What Your Body’s Really Telling You
You’re not sleeping well.
Your energy crashes every afternoon.
You’re foggy, irritable, and tired—even after a weekend “off.”
It’s easy to blame it on burnout, the kids’ summer schedule, or just “getting older.”
But let me be clear: chronic exhaustion isn’t something you just have to live with.
The truth is, when someone tells me they’re feeling wiped out, I don’t assume it’s just stress or overdoing it. I start asking root-cause questions—the kind that reveal what your body’s really trying to say.
Question 1: Is This Physical, Hormonal, or Emotional Fatigue?
Fatigue is a signal—but the source isn’t always obvious. Here’s what we need to rule out first:
🔬 Anemia – Especially in menstruating women or those with low iron stores. Even “mild” anemia can cause crushing fatigue.
🧠 Thyroid dysfunction – Low thyroid hormone can mimic depression and zap your energy, focus, and mood.
😴 Sleep apnea – If you’re waking up tired after a “full night’s sleep,” this is one to investigate—especially if you snore or feel sluggish midday.
⚖️ Perimenopause/menopause – Hormone shifts can cause brain fog, insomnia, mood swings, and extreme fatigue that feel totally disorienting.
💭 Depression or high-functioning burnout – Many women push through for months before realizing their low energy and motivation aren’t “normal.”
All of these issues present with similar symptoms—but require very different treatment plans. And that’s why a quick “you’re just stressed” from a rushed visit won’t cut it.
Question 2: What Does True Rest Look Like For You?
Spoiler alert: zoning out on the couch or scrolling your phone isn’t real rest.
Your body needs restorative inputs, not just time off. In my practice, we often talk about the difference between:
🧘♀️ Restorative rest – sleep hygiene, nervous system regulation, quiet time
🍷 Escapism – wine, screens, or numbing out when you feel overwhelmed
🧩 Alignment – the activities that actually recharge you, not drain you
Sometimes fatigue isn’t about illness—it’s about disconnection from what your body and brain actually need to recover.
Question 3: What Patterns Are Emerging?
One of the best things about Direct Primary Care? I know my patients’ stories.
When you’re in my care, we’re not starting from scratch every visit. I track your labs over time, notice your stress triggers, and look for patterns—seasonal dips, hormone cycles, major life transitions. It’s how we catch issues early before they escalate into burnout, hormone imbalance, or chronic illness.
Energy Isn’t Just About Willpower
You’re not lazy or “making it up” and you don’t need to “just push through.”
You might need a custom iron plan. Or a thyroid adjustment. Or help navigating perimenopause. Or a deeper look into sleep quality.
The point is: your body has a reason—and you deserve a doctor who takes the time to help you find it.
The Kind of Care Our Members Get Daily
At my DPC practice, you’re not a chart or a checklist. You’re a whole person and the relationship between physician and patient is front and center. When your energy is low, we listen. We test. We uncover. We treat at the root cause.
