What Causes Constant Tiredness Even After Extended Sleep?

Posted on Sun, 16 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 Answered on

Wed, 2 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My significant other has the following conditions, suggesting hypothyroid:
-constant tiredness even after extended sleep (10 hours)
-significant weight gain even though her diet is vegan
-constant brain fog.
She is 72 and has been diagnosed as MS, but this seems to have masked these other symptoms

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It could be hypothyroidism.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

I need to ask some questions first:

- From how long have you noticed those symptoms?

- Are those symptoms related to relapsing/remitting nature of MS, or symptoms were present during quiet periods of diseases?

- From how long is she diagnosed and treated with MS?

Clinically speaking you are correct, constant tiredness, weight gain and brain fog point towards hypothyroidism, or low thyroid gland function.

However, there is need to confirm the clinical suspicions with tests about thyroid gland function ( thyroid gland ultrasound, TSH, FT3, FT4 blood levels measured).

Hope this helps. Awaiting for more information.....

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

She was diagnosed with MS about 10 years ago. She underwent 3 years of Copaxone injections (daily and high cost) without measureable improvement.
She stopped this about 3 years ago.
The symptoms I am talking about have appeared just in the past year and are worsening.
We are currently getting blood work done on her and the results have just come back indicating low B12, TSH
Yes, your reply DOES help

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thyroid hormones should be measured too.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the clarifications.

Hypothyroidism and MS are cotravellers in a number of patients included in the spectrum of autoimmune diseases.

Besides TSH, free triiodothyronine ( FT3 ) and free thyroxine ( FT4 ) blood levels need to be measured in order to conclude about treatment possibilities.

Both low vitamin B12 and low thyroid gland function are treatable conditions by replacing deficiencies.

Hope I've been of help.

Wishing both of you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar