Exhausted All the Time? It Might Be More Than “Just Life”

Let’s get real. If you’re dragging yourself through each day, running on fumes no matter how much you sleep, and feeling like your brain has been replaced with mashed potatoes—you’re not just tired. You could be dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

This isn’t “normal” aging. And it’s not all in your head.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a complex condition marked by debilitating fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. It often gets worse after even minor physical or mental activity.

It’s more common in women in their 40s and 50s—which should be your first clue: hormones are involved.

Signs You’re Not Just Tired

Women with CFS often describe it like having the flu that never ends. Symptoms include:

• Bone-deep fatigue that isn’t fixed by rest

• Brain fog or trouble focusing

• Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes

• Headaches and muscle aches

• Insomnia or unrestful sleep

• Feeling wiped out after workouts—or just errands

• Mood dips, anxiety, or depression

Sound familiar? If your energy tank is always empty, and every small task feels monumental, this is your red flag.

So What Causes It?

Here’s where traditional medicine shrugs. “We don’t really know.” But in functional medicine, we dig deeper—and we know this much:

CFS is often triggered or amplified by:

• Viral infections (think Epstein-Barr or chronic viral load)

• Chronic inflammation

• Mitochondrial dysfunction (the energy factories in your cells)

• HPA axis dysregulation—that’s your stress-hormone control panel

• Hormonal imbalances—especially low estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and cortisol

That’s right: if you’re in perimenopause or menopause and suddenly hit a wall of fatigue, this could be the start of chronic fatigue. Estrogen and thyroid hormones both play major roles in cellular energy, immune function, and brain clarity.

And let’s not ignore progesterone, which supports deep sleep and calms the nervous system. When it dips—as it always does after 40—you don’t get the recovery you need.

Why Most Doctors Miss It

CFS doesn’t show up on a standard blood panel. There’s no single test. And because symptoms overlap with depression, thyroid issues, autoimmune disease, and even menopause, it often gets misdiagnosed—or dismissed altogether.

That’s why a comprehensive, functional medicine approach is non-negotiable.

We look at:

✅ Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
✅ Thyroid panel (including free T3, not just TSH)
✅ Cortisol curve and adrenal health
✅ Nutrient deficiencies (like B12, iron, and magnesium)
✅ Viral load and immune markers
✅ Mitochondrial function (yes, we test that too)

What Helps?

There’s no magic pill, but there is a path forward. My approach with women over 40 includes:

• Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to restore balance and boost energy

• Mitochondrial support with targeted nutrients like CoQ10, L-carnitine, magnesium, and B-vitamins

• Thyroid optimization if sluggish thyroid is dragging your system down

• Anti-inflammatory lifestyle shifts (think blood sugar balance, gentle detox, better sleep)

• Nervous system support with adaptogens, gentle movement, breathwork, and sleep rituals

• Root-cause viral or immune support, where needed

No more pushing through. No more living on coffee and willpower. You need a protocol that works with your body—not against it.

Ready to Stop Feeling Wiped Out?

If you’re dealing with unrelenting fatigue, mental fog, and that nagging sense of “I’m not myself,” don’t wait for it to get worse. Let’s find the root cause—and fix it.

👉 Book your consult today at getmerva.com
👉 Discover how BHRT and a root-cause functional medicine approach can help you reclaim your energy, your brain, and your life.