A state of permanent fatigue (TATT) not only prevents you from completing daily tasks, but it can also be a symptom that shows that something is wrong with your body. Five cases in which people with TATT had surprising diagnoses.
Constant fatigue is a warning sign. istock photo
The state of permanent fatigue already has its own acronym among doctors, TATT or tired all the time, and the causes of its appearance can be of the most diverse, because when we say that we are “tired”, we can refer to sleep, physical exhaustion, exhaustion , lack of energy or motivation, or a combination of all of these.
A study published earlier this year linked fatigue to more than 100 different diagnoses, from depression and sleep disorders to underactive thyroid, urinary tract infections and even cancer. The research, published in the British Journal of General Practice, was based on the medical records of people who consulted their GP about new symptoms of fatigue.
Permanent fatigue and bone fragility
Kate Cartledge, 43, who owns a real estate business, says she began to experience severe fatigue after she turned 30 and had her second child.
At first, he attributed his inability to concentrate and his almost depressed state to the fact that between raising children and work, he doesn’t have much time left to rest. After breaking first a leg and then his shoulder while skiing, and then a finger when he tripped on the stairs, he decided to investigate bone density.
The results of the analytes, correlated with the permanent fatigue, brought her a surprising diagnosis: early menopause.
According to experts, fatigue and decreased bone density are common symptoms that can indicate menopause, but also early menopause, which affects about 5% of women before the age of 45, although many women do not realize it.
“This occurs due to complex hormonal changes; as estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate and decline, they can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia or poor quality sleep. Hormonal fluctuations can also cause night sweats, further disrupting restful sleep.” explains Dr. Shazia Malik, obstetrician and gynecologist.
Fatigue can even hide a cancer
The case of Claudia Delrio is even more serious, he reports DailyMail. The 31-year-old, a PR manager in London, consulted a doctor, concerned that despite getting a good night’s rest, she felt constantly exhausted.
She tells that the doctor she went to did not take this symptom very seriously, instead he prescribed an inhaler, because the young woman also complained of chest pains, telling her that she had no reason to worry. But a few weeks later, the fatigue was even worse and she started to itch her scalp and skin. Desperate, Claudia Delrio went to her native Italy and consulted a doctor there. She was immediately sent for tests and received the diagnosis: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“It was stage 2 – in the lymph nodes – and I also had a 14cm tumor in my chest. The fatigue had been there for months and I knew something was wrong, but I had no idea it would be anything this serious.”the young woman confessed.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are an important part of the immune system.
“Blood cancers are difficult to detect because the symptoms are quite non-specific. Extreme fatigue is one of these: It is a fatigue that does not go away even after rest or sleep. However, fatigue itself is very rarely the only symptom of lymphoma“, says oncologist Daniel Hodson.
Other common symptoms include swollen glands in the neck, around the collarbone, armpits, groin or other parts of the body (these can appear unexpectedly and be painless), along with a high temperature (fever), unexplained weight loss and night sweats.
People with this disease often have a low red blood cell count, which limits the amount of oxygen their body can receive. The disease can also lead to chemical imbalances in the body, leading to fatigue.
While extreme fatigue can be a warning sign of many types of cancer, research suggests that this is unlikely to be the reason most people see their GP about fatigue.
“The fatigue was a different kind of exhaustion, the likes of which I had never experienced before. I just wish the doctors had taken me seriously sooner. I needed sleep a few hours after I woke up.” a declares Claudia Delrio.
APNEA
Ben Jarvis, a 48-year-old British man who runs an events company in the space industry, went to the doctor after several nights in a row of waking up in a panic, feeling like he was dying, for no apparent reason, and during the day he felt thirsty and needed to sleep.
His family doctor tested him for everything from thyroid function to tumors on his adrenal glands (which produce hormones that regulate metabolism and stress response and other processes).
“Everything came out negative, but I was getting more and more tired. I have my own business, which involves organizing events and meeting with clients, but sometimes I was so exhausted that I was afraid to drive,” the man said.
This went on for two years before one day Ben explained his symptoms to a friend who told him he might have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a relatively common condition in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, according to specialists. Breathing may stop and start repeatedly, sometimes hundreds of times a night.
Fatigue is an early sign, as the repeated drops in oxygen levels during the night, as well as the effort to get air in and out through the narrowed airways, disrupt sleep. Due to the low oxygen level, the brain goes on alert and the person suffering from apnea wakes up.
Ben Jarvis went to his GP and asked about sleep apnea and was then referred to an NHS sleep clinic where he was diagnosed with the condition. He was given a CPAP machine, which works by providing a continuous flow of pressurized air through a mask, keeping the airway open with pressure.
Anemia
Usually full of energy, Julie Thompson Dredge, 46, a PR executive, found herself suddenly exhausted two years ago. “I was sleeping as much as I could – which wasn’t easy as I work a lot and have two small children. The condition gradually got worse until I started feeling almost faint whenever I exercised,” she said.
At first, Julie thought she might have caught a virus or simply overworked herself. But after feeling this way for several weeks, she went to her GP and was directed to have a set of blood tests. A few days later, they indicated a significant vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the normal functioning of the body’s cells and for the production of DNA. If the cells are not working properly, the body will be tired.
Another reason B12 deficiency causes fatigue is that it leads to anemia, a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.
Hypothyroidism
Businessman Vivek Angra is 59 years old, and when he first complained to his doctor about his constant fatigue and inability to concentrate, it was blamed on a midlife crisis.
Finally, after several sets of tests, the man received an unexpected diagnosis: hypothyroidism. Even his doctor was amazed, because, the patient being a man, he had not considered such an option.
It is true that hypothyroidism is more common in women, probably because the most common cause is an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid and autoimmunity is more common in women. On the other hand, regardless of whether the patient is female or male, fatigue is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, with at least 60-80% of those affected reporting this symptom.
“Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, so if you have too much, your metabolism speeds up, whereas in hypothyroidism the thyroid is not producing enough and everything slows down. The main symptoms are weight gain, constipation, mental retardation and excessive fatigue,” says endocrinologist Kristien Boelaert.
Are You TATT? The Mysterious Struggles of Permanent Fatigue!
So, there’s this thing called TATT—“Tired All The Time.” Sounds like a student’s diary entry, doesn’t it? But lo and behold! It’s a legitimate medical acronym, and it’s potentially setting off alarm bells about our health! You could say it’s the doctor’s version of a really disappointing school report: “Could do better!”
What is TATT? It’s Not Just a Bad Hair Day!
Constant fatigue can walk hand-in-hand with a ton of issues, from “I didn’t drink enough coffee today” to “surprise, you’ve got cancer!” Quite the menu, isn’t it?
A study from the British Journal of General Practice throws in a twist: fatigue can be linked to over a hundred diagnoses! That’s right—more checks than a small-town pub on karaoke night. So, if you’ve been popping the espresso shots while glaring at your to-do list, it might be time to investigate your chronic exhaustion.
The Surprising Adventures of TATT
Meet Kate Cartledge, our first contestant in the “Guess That Diagnosis” bingo night! After giving birth and breaking a limb during a ski trip (because of course), she found herself zapped of energy. What could it be? Too much parenting? Nope! Surprise! It was early menopause! Apparently, you don’t only have to deal with hot flashes and mood swings but also the risk of broken bones. Great!
Fatigue Can Even Hide a Cancer! Ouch!
Then we have Claudia Delrio, the 31-year-old PR manager who thought fatigue was a part-time job—turns out it was full-time: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. You know, just casual cancer stuff! While her first doctor handed her an inhaler like it was a coupon for a spa day, the real problem was lurking like an unwelcome houseguest.
She describes that fatigue as a “different kind of exhaustion,” and let’s be honest, we’ve all been there trying to explain to our friends why we can’t possibly go out one more night. Turns out screaming “I’m tired!” might not cut it when it’s your life. Take note, everyone!
Ah, Sleep Apnea—The Sneaky Saboteur!
Ben Jarvis just wanted a good night’s sleep but instead woke up feeling like a horror movie character who didn’t get the memo about bedtime. After two years of becoming a caffeine-fueled zombie, a friend dropped the term “sleep apnea,” and it was like uncovering a hidden cheat code in a video game!
Thanks to a CPAP machine—basically a magic box that helps you breathe while you snooze—Ben can now sleep like he’s in a three-star hotel, rather than living with one foot in a grave. Proof that sometimes you just need to ask the right questions, instead of treating your symptoms like an awkward silent treatment party.
Anemia and Hypothyroidism: The Silent Thieves
Next, we meet Julie Thompson Dredge. Who knew that being a PR executive and a mom could lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency? She thought she just needed an extra nap, but it turned out she needed a visit to the doctor! Anemia sneaks in under the radar like one of those burglars that steals your snacks in the night. And don’t get me started on Vivek Angra—the poor bloke whose fatigue was attributed to a midlife crisis. It’s like the doctor looked at him, sighed, and said, “You’re just getting old, mate!” But in this case, it was actually—a thyroid problem! Cheers for that!
Last Words: Take Your Fatigue Seriously!
The takeaway from all this? If you’re feeling TATT, don’t wait for your fatigue to take you on a rollercoaster of diagnoses. Your body could be trying to tell you something important! Like that when you’re bone-tired, don’t just blame it on binge-watching your favorite show or dodgy takeout. Be a hero—get it checked out!
Remember, folks, we only have one body to work with; it needs just as much care as your favorite pair of sneakers. And trust me, that’s the only marathon you want to train for!
