Looking Beyond the Basics: Functional Medicine Testing for 7 Common Causes of Fatigue

What is Fatigue?

Fatigue is a common symptom with an extensive differential diagnosis. While fatigue can be caused by lifestyle factors like poor sleep and overexertion, it often indicates an underlying health condition. Functional medicine takes an individualized approach to diagnosing and treating the root causes of fatigue through advanced lab testing, diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes. This article will discuss the top 7 conditions that should be ruled out when evaluating fatigue and provide an overview of related functional medicine testing and treatments.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, characterized by underactive thyroid function, is a leading cause of fatigue. Functional medicine testing, like a complete thyroid panel and thyroid antibodies test, can identify hypothyroidism. In addition to fatigue, low thyroid function causes symptoms like weight gain, hair loss, brain fog, and depression. Dietary interventions, thyroid hormone replacement, thyroid gland support supplements, and stress management help manage hypothyroid-related fatigue.

Adrenal Insufficienc

Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands cannot produce adequate cortisol and other hormones, often due to chronic stress. Symptoms include fatigue, low blood pressure, salt cravings, and abdominal pain. A complete hormone panel, like the DUTCH test, assessing diurnal cortisol and sex hormone levels can detect adrenal insufficiency. Treatment focuses on stress reduction, adaptogenic herbs, vitamin C, B vitamins, and possibly prescription cortisol.

Blood Sugar Imbalance

Unstable blood sugar levels, as seen in insulin resistance and diabetes, profoundly impact energy levels. Symptoms of dysglycemia include fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin and glucose, and advanced glucose tolerance testing evaluate blood sugar control. Dietary changes to balance blood sugar, nutrients like chromium and berberine, and medications, if needed, can help regulate blood sugar and improve fatigue.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies in critical nutrients like iron, B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and essential fatty acids cause fatigue. A nutritional deficiency panel, like the NutrEval test, identifies deficient nutrients. Treatment focuses on an anti-inflammatory diet, strategic supplementation based on deficiencies, and addressing any underlying causes of malabsorption.

Sleep Disorders

Disruptive sleep prevents restorative rest needed for daytime energy. Symptoms of disordered sleep include daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Functional medicine testing like the DUTCH complete hormone profile provides insights into sleep hormone imbalances. Sleep hygiene education, sleep-promoting supplements like glycine and magnesium, light therapy, and prescription sleep aids can improve sleep quality and fatigue.

Depression

Depression directly causes symptoms of low energy, poor concentration, changes in sleep and appetite, and loss of interest in activities. Mood disorder screening questionnaires help assess depression severity. Nutritional therapies like SAMe, 5-HTP, and Saint John’s wort combined with counseling, light therapy, exercise, and antidepressant medications can relieve depressive fatigue.

Chronic Inflammation

Systemic inflammation caused by conditions like autoimmunity, chronic infections, and food sensitivities creates cytokine-mediated fatigue. Testing for inflammatory markers in the blood, stool analysis, and food sensitivity testing identify sources of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory diets, stress reduction, immune-supportive supplements, and prescription anti-inflammatories curb inflammation to improve fatigue.

In summary, fatigue has diverse causes that require thorough evaluation. Functional medicine leverages advanced laboratory assessments to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to fatigue in a patient. Identifying and addressing the root cause is essential for resolving fatigue. Functional medicine practitioners develop personalized multi-faceted treatment plans that integrate dietary changes, nutritional supplements, herbal therapies, and lifestyle modifications tailored to the patient’s lab results and clinical presentation. This comprehensive approach helps patients regain energy, vitality, and an improved quality of life.

Functional Medicine Testing for Fatigue

Functional medicine utilizes advanced laboratory testing to uncover imbalances contributing to fatigue. The following are some key functional medicine tests that provide clinicians with meaningful data to diagnose and develop targeted treatment plans for fatigue patients:

Hypothyroidism - Thyroid panel, thyroid antibodies, nutrients involved in thyroid hormone production like selenium, iodine, zinc, etc.

Adrenal Insufficiency - DUTCH hormone profile, diurnal cortisol, and DHEA, cortisol awakening response

Blood Sugar Imbalance - Hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and insulin, 2 or 3-hour glucose tolerance test, micronutrients related to glucose metabolism like chromium and magnesium

Nutritional Deficiencies - Comprehensive nutritional panel like NutrEval to measure vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids

Sleep Disorders - DUTCH hormone profile to assess nighttime hormones like melatonin

Depression - Organic acids related to neurotransmitter production, amino acid panel, pyrroles test

Chronic Inflammation - High sensitivity CRP, ESR, cytokines panel, food sensitivity testing, stool analysis, mycotoxin testing

The expanded scope of functional medicine testing provides clinicians with the comprehensive data needed to determine the root cause of fatigue. Testing illuminates nutritional status, hormone balance, blood sugar regulation, digestion, inflammation, and toxic burden - all factors that influence energy levels. Functional medicine practitioners utilize lab testing to inform clinical decision-making and personalize treatment plans.

Discover the Root Cause of Your Fatigue

At Internal Healing and Wellness MD, we utilize specialized functional medicine testing to uncover the underlying imbalances contributing to your fatigue. We dig deeper through advanced lab assessments of your nutritional status, hormones, blood sugar regulation, gut health, and toxic exposures to determine the root cause of your exhaustion.

Our functional medicine practitioners listen to your health history and symptoms to determine what testing may be needed to solve your complex fatigue case. We create personalized treatment plans based on your test results that combine diet, lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, herbal therapies, and additional interventions to target the specific factors inhibiting your energy levels.

We empower you with the knowledge you need to take control of your health. We aim to help you regain the energy and vibrancy you deserve to live life fully.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss whether functional medicine testing may help uncover why you feel fatigued.