When “just tired” becomes your new normal, your body is asking for a closer look.
Persistent fatigue can feel frustratingly vague—especially when labs “look normal” or advice stops at “sleep more.” At La Mer Holistic Medicine, we treat fatigue as a meaningful signal from the body. With an integrative lens—functional medicine, restorative care, and mind-body support—we help Camarillo and Ventura County patients move from constant depletion to steadier energy with a plan that fits real life.
What fatigue can mean (and why it’s not “all in your head”)
Fatigue isn’t the same as sleepiness—and it isn’t always solved by rest. Many people describe it as low “battery life,” brain fog, reduced motivation, slower recovery after workouts, or feeling wiped out after a normal workday.
In conventional care, fatigue is often treated as a symptom to manage. In integrative and functional medicine, fatigue becomes a starting point for understanding how your hormones, metabolism, sleep quality, nervous system, nutrient status, inflammation, stress load, and lifestyle are interacting.
Common root contributors we see behind ongoing fatigue
1) Sleep quality (not just sleep quantity)
You can spend 8 hours in bed and still wake unrefreshed—especially with insomnia patterns, stress physiology, or sleep-disordered breathing. Chronic inadequate sleep is linked to daytime sleepiness, impaired attention, mood changes, and broader health effects over time. (nichd.nih.gov)
2) Nutrient depletion and iron-related issues
Low iron stores (even without significant anemia), vitamin B12 insufficiency, and vitamin D deficiency can contribute to low energy, reduced exercise tolerance, and “heavy” mornings. A targeted lab review can clarify whether fatigue is related to nutrient status, absorption, or dietary patterns.
3) Hormone shifts across life stages
Perimenopause, menopause, and andropause can change sleep, mood, body composition, and resilience. Hormone optimization may be appropriate for some patients after a careful clinical assessment and labs—especially when symptoms cluster (sleep disruption + low drive + brain fog + changes in recovery).
4) Blood sugar swings and metabolic strain
Fatigue after meals, afternoon crashes, and intense cravings can signal that glucose regulation needs support. Functional strategies often include balanced macros, protein-forward breakfasts, movement “snacks,” and individualized nutrition planning.
5) Stress physiology and nervous system dysregulation
High-demand work, caregiving, and constant stimulation can push the nervous system into a long-term “wired but tired” state. Mind-body protocols and restorative therapies can complement medical evaluation by improving recovery capacity and sleep quality.
6) Post-viral or complex fatigue patterns (including ME/CFS considerations)
Some people develop disabling fatigue with features like post-exertional malaise (a crash after physical or mental activity), unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive issues. The CDC notes there’s no single confirmatory test for ME/CFS; diagnosis relies on history, exam, and ruling out other causes. (cdc.gov)
A practical, whole-person roadmap for fatigue (what to do next)
Step 1: Track your fatigue pattern for 7–10 days
Note energy highs/lows, sleep timing, caffeine/alcohol, exercise, cycle timing (if applicable), and any “crash” after activity. Patterns often reveal whether fatigue is metabolic (meals), sleep-driven, hormone-linked, or stress-reactive.
Step 2: Review medications, supplements, and lifestyle “energy leaks”
Some prescriptions, inconsistent meal timing, dehydration, and overtraining can quietly drive fatigue. Bringing an updated list helps your provider spot interactions and gaps quickly.
Step 3: Get a targeted medical work-up (and interpret it in context)
Fatigue deserves more than a single lab value. A thorough history and physical exam plus appropriate labs can help rule out common contributors and clarify what to address first.
Step 4: Build a “two-track” plan: restore physiology + support the nervous system
The fastest improvements often come from addressing both the body (nutrition, sleep, hormones, movement) and the mind-body interface (stress response, recovery practices, gentle energy regulation).
Step 5: Re-test and refine
Fatigue is rarely “one and done.” Follow-ups help confirm whether interventions are working, whether labs are trending in the right direction, and whether your plan needs adjustment for sustainability.
Fatigue clues: what they can point to
| What you notice | Possible contributors | Helpful next step |
|---|---|---|
| Unrefreshed sleep, morning headaches, snoring | Sleep-disordered breathing or fragmented sleep | Discuss symptoms with a clinician; consider sleep evaluation when appropriate (uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org) |
| Afternoon crash (2–4 pm), craving sugar/caffeine | Blood sugar swings, insufficient protein, high stress load | Meal timing + protein-forward breakfast + hydration plan |
| Low stamina, shortness of breath on stairs | Iron deficiency/anemia, deconditioning, cardiopulmonary factors | Targeted labs + medical evaluation; build graded movement only if appropriate |
| Crashing after activity (physical or mental) | Post-viral patterns; ME/CFS considerations | Symptom-guided pacing and thorough work-up to rule out other conditions (cdc.gov) |
How integrative care at La Mer supports fatigue recovery
Fatigue care works best when it’s coordinated and personalized. Depending on your needs, your plan may include:
Advanced labs and deeper investigation
When basic testing isn’t enough, special testing can provide more clarity and direction. Learn more about our approach to Special Testing.
Hormone optimization (when appropriate)
If symptoms and labs suggest hormonal imbalance is a key driver, we may discuss options such as BioTe Hormone Optimization as part of a broader plan that includes sleep and nutrition support.
Nervous system and mind-body support
Many patients benefit from restorative modalities that help the body shift into recovery mode. Explore Holistic Care and the other services we celebrate at La Mer.
Aging, cognition, and long-term vitality
When fatigue overlaps with cognitive fog or concerns about healthy aging, we can coordinate supportive strategies through The Aging Experience and our approach to Maintaining Cognitive Function.
Prefer to handle forms and communication efficiently? Visit our Patient Portal for a smoother care experience.
Did you know?
ME/CFS has no single screening test. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, medical history, exam, and ruling out other causes. (cdc.gov)
Inadequate sleep affects how we function—including alertness, mood, and attention—and is associated with broader long-term health effects. (nichd.nih.gov)
For people without symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, the USPSTF finds evidence insufficient to recommend broad screening—yet symptoms like snoring, gasping, and excessive daytime sleepiness warrant a clinical conversation. (uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org)
A Camarillo angle: why fatigue is so common for Ventura County professionals
Many Camarillo and Ventura County patients are balancing demanding schedules, commuting, family responsibilities, and high cognitive load. That combination often creates a predictable pattern: not enough recovery time, inconsistent meals, late-night screen exposure, and “weekend catch-up sleep” that doesn’t fully restore energy.
A holistic fatigue plan works best when it’s designed for your real environment—your work hours, stressors, fitness routine, and the rhythms of your household. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s steady momentum and measurable change.
Ready for a clearer answer than “you’re just stressed”?
If fatigue is affecting your focus, mood, workouts, or confidence, we’ll help you sort through the most likely root contributors and build an integrative plan you can sustain.
FAQ: Fatigue & integrative care
How do I know if my fatigue is “normal” or something to evaluate?
If fatigue lasts more than a few weeks, affects work/home function, comes with brain fog, dizziness, shortness of breath, mood changes, or unrefreshing sleep, it’s worth a clinical assessment—especially if you’re increasing caffeine to get through the day.
What’s the difference between being tired and being sleepy?
Sleepiness is the tendency to doze off. Fatigue is low energy capacity—your body feels depleted even if you’re “awake.” They can overlap, but they often point to different root drivers.
If my basic labs are normal, does that mean nothing is wrong?
Not necessarily. “Normal” ranges don’t always capture what’s optimal for your unique physiology or explain how multiple small imbalances add up. That’s why we look at patterns, symptoms, timeline, and (when appropriate) more specific testing.
Can hormone imbalance cause fatigue even if I’m “too young” for menopause?
Yes. Perimenopause can begin years before periods stop, and hormone shifts can affect sleep quality and resilience. Men and women can also experience changes in hormone signaling with stress, aging, and metabolic factors.
What is ME/CFS, and should I be worried?
ME/CFS is a serious, long-lasting condition marked by impaired function, profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep (often with cognitive issues or orthostatic intolerance). Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation and ruling out other causes; there isn’t a single confirmatory test. (cdc.gov)
When should fatigue be treated as urgent?
Seek urgent medical care for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, new confusion, one-sided weakness, black/tarry stools, or sudden severe headache—especially if fatigue is accompanied by those symptoms.
Glossary
Functional medicine
A systems-based approach that looks for root contributors to symptoms (like fatigue) and aims to restore function using individualized strategies across nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted support.
Post-exertional malaise (PEM)
A worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion—often delayed—commonly discussed in ME/CFS. (cdc.gov)
Orthostatic intolerance
Symptoms (like dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling unwell) that worsen when standing or sitting upright and improve when lying down; it can occur in ME/CFS. (cdc.gov)
Sleep-disordered breathing
A spectrum of breathing issues during sleep (including obstructive sleep apnea) that can fragment sleep and contribute to daytime fatigue and unrefreshing rest.