Feeling Exhausted Every Day, Is It My Liver Acting Up? The Real Culprit Revealed!

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Fatigue Misconceptions: Exploring the Real Reason Behind Tiredness

Hundreds of health consultations have revealed a recurring top complaint: "Lately feeling extremely tired, perpetually sleep-deprived, even coffee fails to revive me. Is it my liver failing?"

Upon probing further, the almost eerie response was often, "Yes! How did you know, nurse?" It felt like being read by a fortune teller, as if they've unveiled years of health struggles in a sentence.

Feeling tired and sleepless? It's not the liver's fault.

I asked them:

"Do you often experience disrupted sleep?"

"Do you feel like the alarm went off, yet still haven't slept enough?"

"Do you feel persistent fatigue despite consuming coffee?"

"Have you noticed increased hair loss?"

"Do you frequently suffer from headaches, dizziness, especially around menstruation?"

Is it a liver issue? Has life turned monochrome?

Wrong. Stop blaming the liver! Most often, it's low hemoglobin causing it, particularly common in women—a type of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia.

Half of anemia cases are due to iron deficiency.

Research in the country indicates anemia as a prevalent global health issue, with around 50% of cases resulting from iron deficiency. Chronic blood loss from menstruation significantly contributes to iron-deficiency anemia in women.

One mature woman's test results seemed more fitting for someone much older. Why? I speculated two possibilities: either prior ineffective treatments led to self-interruption of therapy, or she simply disregarded seeking treatment, thinking it's normal. Surprisingly, it was neither! Her response was, "Nurse, aren't these just long-standing issues? I thought this was normal."

I remember spending 40 minutes explaining her test results, solely to make her realize "this isn't normal." I appreciated her compliance with treatment. In our subsequent consultation, she reassured me, saying, "For 5-6 years, my sleep issues are resolved. I finally know what it feels like to be well-rested!"

Treating iron-deficiency anemia isn't complicated. Adhering to prescribed iron supplements, regular check-ups, typically restores hemoglobin levels after 8 weeks of supplementation. Over about 6 months, physicians assess the rising hemoglobin and decide on dosages and durations. Once deemed appropriate to stop iron supplements, I suggest, "To prevent future iron deficiency, consider iron-rich supplements after medical evaluation."

If you're among those silently enduring chronic iron-deficiency anemia, your body can tolerate low hemoglobin levels, but tolerance isn't acceptance. We've heard "silence is golden," but concerning your health, don't be silent.

Because "silence isn't golden." Before concluding a session, I impart this message:

Listen to your body earnestly, treat it well, and it will reciprocate. It doesn't speak, but it signals in various ways. Please don't dismiss it as a chronic issue.