Hidden Causes of Fatigue
Feeling drained and running on empty? Fatigue isn’t just a lack of energy—it’s a warning sign of deeper imbalances. Do you know what is driving yours?
Persistent fatigue isn’t normal—it’s your body’s way of signaling that something deeper is going on. While a busy week or late nights can cause short-term tiredness, long-term, unrelenting fatigue typically involves one or more underlying root causes. And often, these causes overlap. Many people find themselves caught in a web of multiple hidden stressors that compound over time, making it difficult to heal until they’re properly identified.
Whether you’re mildly sluggish (missing that "get-up-and-go") or completely wiped out (barely making it out of bed), fatigue is rarely caused by just one thing. It’s often the result of multiple overlapping factors, with one key player at the center: your mitochondria—the tiny energy factories in your cells that produce energy (ATP).
What’s sabotaging your mitochondria? Chronic infections? Gut imbalances? Stress? Poor sleep? The answer is different for everyone.
Mitochondria - the “energy factories” in our cells
Uncovering the root cause is essential—because you can’t fix a dead battery by filling up the gas tank.
THE CAUSES:
IMMUNE DYSREGULATION: One major driver of chronic fatigue is immune dysregulation, especially when your body is dealing with stealth infections or post-viral issues. These include chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Long COVID, and tick-borne diseases like Lyme and Bartonella. In these cases, the immune system stays stuck in “on” mode, creating widespread inflammation and pulling energy away from cellular energy production. Mold exposure and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) also fall into this category—they trigger an overactive immune response and cause multi-system symptoms like brain fog, headaches, and sensitivities that drain energy on a daily basis.
NUTRIENT IMBALANCES: Another common driver of fatigue is nutrient imbalances. Even when people eat well, iron imbalances, B12, magnesium, or vitamin D can leave the body without the building blocks it needs to make energy. These deficiencies are often missed in standard tests, and may be connected to poor gut health, where nutrients aren’t being properly absorbed. Gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and chronic inflammation can all impair nutrient uptake and create fatigue.
HORMONE IMBALANCES & STRESS And finally, fatigue can be the result of nervous system dysregulation or prolonged stress. When your body is constantly in “fight or flight,” your energy goes toward survival—not restoration. Chronic stress & burnout and dysautonomia (including conditions like POTS) can cause energy crashes, lightheadedness, poor sleep, and brain fog. Add in blood sugar imbalances or sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea, and the system becomes even more depleted. The nervous system and adrenals are foundational to your resilience—when they’re exhausted, you feel it everywhere. Thyroid dysfunction—especially underactive thyroid or Hashimoto’s—also plays a key role here, slowing down metabolism and making it harder to convert food into fuel.
OTHER CAUSES
Lesser-known causes can also significantly impact energy levels. These are often overlooked but can disrupt mitochondrial function, immune regulation, and overall metabolic health.
Prescription Medications—Fatigue is a common side effect of many drugs, including beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs like fluoxetine), antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), and benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam), which can all contribute to low energy by affecting the nervous system, metabolism, or cardiovascular function. Check to make sure your medications aren’t impacting your energy levels.
Other Infections: Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia, Human Herpesvirus-6 and others place ongoing strain on the immune system.
Heavy Metal Toxicity: e.g. mercury, lead, arsenic impair mitochondrial function and detoxification pathways.
Autoimmune Diseases beyond thyroid dysfunction, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can drive chronic inflammation and fatigue.
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), a condition triggered by environmental toxins that leads to widespread inflammation and energy depletion.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS): Excessive exposure to EMFs from Wi-Fi, cell towers, and electronics can cause neurological and energy imbalances for some.
Low Blood Volume (Hypovolemia),: This reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to fatigue and dizziness.
Connective Tissue Disorders: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can affect circulation, nervous system function, and energy regulation.
Since these causes can be complex and interwoven, working with a functional health practitioner and utilizing targeted testing can help uncover hidden imbalances and guide a personalized recovery plan. We do all this as a part of the FIRED UP Energy Reset Program, where we uncover your root causes of fatigue so you can get your energy back for good.
Are you ready to get your spark back?
---✔ Proven Results ---✔Evidence-based approach ---✔Consultations available anywhere in the world ---✔Registered Naturopath & Nutritionist
---✔ Proven Results ---✔Evidence-based approach ---✔Consultations available anywhere in the world ---✔Registered Naturopath & Nutritionist
Hi, I’m Camille. I help people struggling with chronic, unexplained symptoms—like fatigue, recurring infections, digestive issues, and neurological concerns by getting to the real root cause.
I offer 1:1 consultations, functional testing, and my signature Energy Reset Program to help you get real answers and real results.
Because without the right support, fatigue can drag on for months—or even years. You deserve better than just coping. Let’s uncover what’s really going on and get your energy back for good!
Yours in health,
Camille Hoffman
Registered Naturopath, Nutritionist & Medical Herbalist in New Zealand - Seeing patients around the globe via telehealth consults, world-wide testing and drop-shipping available.
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The views and nutrition, naturopathic and herbal recommendations expressed by Camille Hoffman and in Hoffman Natural Health’s programs, website, publications and newsletters, do not constitute a practitioner-patient relationship, are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service and are for informational purposes only. The statements and content found in these programs, website, publications and newsletters have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The treatments described may have known and unknown side effects and health hazards. Each user is solely responsible for their own healthcare choices and decisions. Camille Hoffman advises the website user to discuss these ideas with a healthcare professional or physician before trying them. Camille Hoffman does not accept any responsibility for any positive or adverse effects a person claims to experience, directly or indirectly, from the ideas and contents of this website.
