Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Endocrinologist’s Perspective

Persistent fatigue is a very common complaint, especially in spring, and it is often blamed on stress, lack of vitamins, or a busy lifestyle. However, when tiredness does not improve over time or with supplements, the cause may be more complex. Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called asthenic syndrome, is one of the most widespread conditions in medicine and can be linked not only to overwork and anxiety but also to certain physical illnesses, including endocrine disorders.

An endocrinologist first looks at the overall context of a patient’s life. Changes in sleep, diet, work schedule, weight, or long-term stress can easily explain a loss of energy without any hormonal disease. There are also normal life periods when fatigue is common, such as pregnancy, the postpartum stage, or menopause, when hormonal fluctuations affect well-being. In some cases, fatigue in young mothers may be related to postpartum depression and requires psychological support rather than medical tests.

Only after evaluating lifestyle factors does a doctor consider endocrine causes. The most common conditions are thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, diabetes type 2, and obesity. These conditions are relatively widespread and can be accompanied by low energy, but fatigue is rarely the only symptom. For example, thyroid dysfunction usually includes changes in weight, heart rate, mood, or appearance, while diabetes often presents with thirst and frequent urination.

More rare endocrine diseases involving the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, or parathyroid glands can also cause fatigue, but they usually have clear additional signs that help doctors suspect them. Stress itself plays a significant role, as it can temporarily raise certain hormone levels without indicating disease. Because chronic fatigue is a nonspecific symptom, careful history-taking and limited, targeted testing are essential to avoid unnecessary diagnoses and focus on the real cause of the problem.