Constantly tired

mjward

Feels like I've been permanently tired for the past decade, not unexpectedly so, I get up at 5am for work and have two children.

Up till now I've just accepted it but went into a Holland & Barrett the other day and saw all these caffeine boosters, pills for brain function, alertness and so on.

Does anyone take these kind of supplements? Totally new to me and slightly sceptical most could be a placebo.

KyleS1

Have you consulted a doctor? It might be worth checking if you have low iron or something. Best to find the cause rather than treat the symptoms.

mjward

I have indeed. As part of my shingles tests earlier in the year I had blood taken which showed my iron at the bottom of the range. Thinking that explains the fatigue/lack of energy I mentioned the problem to my doc who pretty much refused to help. As long as the iron was within the range I couldn't have infusions.

mattthetall77

I take Spatone iron sachets, apple ones, normally about £7-8 for 28 sachets. You can get the non iron ones in a bigger box for the same price but can't say what they taste like.  They don't help me much, I'm always tired but terrible sleeper, but my girlfriend says they help her some.

I also used to take Minadex, which was for children haha, but was supposed to perk you up.  Unfortunately they stopped that and started Minavex, but that isn't (or wasn't) vegetarian.

reiteration

I take ginseng and magnesium citrate tablets - and I believe they really help me...

mjward

Do they taste of iron or Apple? I tried an iron syrup and it was like drinking blood, couldn't stomach it

shodan

Think you need to have a good look at your sleeping amounts and quality and your diet before you dive in to the world of supplements.
There are some very knowledgeable and experienced folks here so put it all on here and there might be something glaringly obvious to someone which could help.

In the meantime, eat your greens! Lots of spinach and kale to help bring your iron levels up. Sounds like you are borderline anaemic...

mattthetall77

It's not too bad at all, kind of metallic cooking apple tang, but my sense of taste and smell is dodgy haha.

I agree with shodan, diet is a better way than supplements. I'm a vegetarian who doesn't like veg so a bit stuffed really.

mattthetall77

Forgot to say, apparently apple juice helps with absorbtion from what I remember, and milk detracts from absorbtion (could be getting that but wrong) so I never take it close before or after dairy.

Trollslayer

Caffeine doesn't give you energy, it releases more of what you have so be careful.