Fatigue, or extreme tiredness that makes it tough to get through the day, can be traced back to many causes — from medical conditions to lifestyle habits. That’s why it can be difficult to figure out what’s causing yours.
About 11 percent of men ages 18 to 44 reported feeling very tired or exhausted most days or every day for the past three months. That percentage tends to improve as men age and decreased to under 10 percent in men older than 45.
Read on to discover seven of the most common causes of fatigue in men.
1. Low Testosterone
“Testosterone has a significant role impacting energy levels,” says Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan, based in New York City. “Low testosterone levels may affect your mood, muscle mass, and energy levels.”
Testosterone helps the cells produce energy and delivers oxygen around the body. Levels of testosterone are much higher in men than women, so low testosterone is primarily a male problem.
Low testosterone affects around 2 percent of adult men, but that percentage increases among those who are overweight, people who have type 2 diabetes, and those who are older.
Obstructive sleep apnea, HIV/AIDS, or chronic medical conditions such as kidney or liver issues can also contribute to low testosterone. Along with the reduced energy levels, you may also notice a depressed mood or a decrease in sex drive.
If you think you might have low testosterone, ask your doctor for a blood test in order to get proper diagnosis and treatment.
2. Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiencies that can contribute to lagging energy levels include iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
“Each deficiency disrupts energy production, oxygen delivery, or muscle or nerve function, leaving the body weak and drained,” Dr. Quinones says.
Without sufficient oxygen levels, tiredness can set in. Anemia (or low iron), for example, occurs when the body is unable to make hemoglobin, which is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the body.
Vitamin B12 is also used to make healthy red blood cells, so a lack of B12 (called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia) leads to less oxygen reaching the necessary parts of the body and increased tiredness.
B12 deficiency may be slightly more pronounced in men than women because their higher muscle mass and greater metabolic demand increase their requirements, Quinones says.
Vitamin D deficiency mainly leads to fatigue by weakening bone and muscle function.
Additionally, magnesium helps the body convert food into energy, and without sufficient levels, the body may experience fatigue.
Your doctor can order a blood test to see if your nutrient levels are within normal range.
3. Sleep Deprivation
Sleeping poorly can make you feel cranky, sluggish, or foggy. This is often due to inadequate deep sleep, one of three stages of non-REM sleep that helps the body repair and renew itself (the sleep stage that revives your energy levels).
Men (and women, too) may be more likely to be sleep deprived if they have poor sleep hygiene habits, such as consuming caffeine into the evening and night, using technology close to bedtime, and feeling pressured by cultural norms to always be “on.”
If you’ve been feeling tired, do your best to practice proper sleep hygiene and get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
4. A Sleep Disorder
Two common sleep disorders affecting men are obstructive sleep apnea and delayed sleep phase disorder, which is when you can only fall asleep two or more hours later than normal.
Men may be more likely than women to have delayed sleep phase disorder, with some evidence suggesting men have a greater biological tendency toward eveningness, says Michael Breus, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist based in Manhattan Beach, California.
Obstructive sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop or pause throughout the night, is also more common in men than women — with men being 2 to 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea than women.
This is most likely because of hormonal differences between the sexes and increased testosterone levels in men, which may affect breathing stability.
Sleep apnea decreases oxygen and the quality of sleep, leading to tiredness the next day, Quinones says.
Delayed sleep disorder can be treated by adjusting lifestyle habits, like taking in bright light in the morning hours and avoiding it later in the day. Mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea may be resolved with weight loss or sleeping on one’s side, while severe sleep apnea may call for positive airway pressure (PAP), or wearing a mask that keeps the airway open during sleep.
5. Depression
While depression is more common in women, women are more likely to use coping strategies like seeking emotional support.
But depression can look different in men. “Men often cope through acting out (anger, risk-taking), numbing (substances, distractions), withdrawal, or distraction (work, gaming, exercise),” says Darice Dodd, a licensed professional counselor with BetterHelp, a site that matches individuals with therapists, who is based in Kennesaw, Georgia.
This could be due to the different makeups in brain chemistry, hormones, and life experiences, as well social norms, such as the belief that a man should avoid expressing emotions and instead pursue success.
Men with depression may also sleep too little or too much.
If your symptoms of depression have lasted nearly every day for two weeks, it’s time to seek help from a mental health professional to explore diagnosis and treatment options.
6. Underlying Chronic Health Condition
The root of your fatigue could be an underlying health condition, such as epilepsy, asthma, heart disease, or arthritis, all of which can keep men from logging quality sleep.
Quinones explains that epilepsy can lead to fatigue because seizures can be exhausting for the brain and body; asthma can reduce oxygen supply and energy levels; heart disease may result in reduced oxygen delivery to muscles and organs; and inflammation from arthritis will trigger the release of immune chemicals that promote tiredness.
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, and hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, are other conditions that are marked by fatigue. “Hypothyroidism will slow down your metabolism, and hyperthyroidism will tire it out quicker,” Quinones says. Hypothyroidism is more common in women but still a possibility for men.
Hyperthyroidism can also lead to sleep issues.
Fatigue is also very common among people with type 2 diabetes and a result of high or low blood sugar.
7. Medication
The most common medications that may lead to fatigue as a side effect include:
Additionally, antihistamines can lead to fatigue and drowsiness in both men and women.
Speak with your doctor about possible alternatives if you suspect medications are causing your fatigue.
When to See Your Doctor About Fatigue
If you’ve been feeling fatigued for more than two weeks, it’s time to see a doctor to check for possible underlying conditions.
Seek emergency care if your fatigue is accompanied by other symptoms that may indicate a serious underlying health issue, such as chest pain or tightness or difficulty breathing, Quinones says.
Oftentimes, fatigue is simply caused by lifestyle or well-being issues rather than a medical condition. Lifestyle modifications may resolve your energy issues, such as getting plenty of rest, reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, and getting adequate amounts of fluids.
But if fatigue persists, it’s always best to speak to your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The Takeaway
- Fatigue and feeling tired more often than not affects roughly 10 percent of men.
- There are certain sleep disorders and reasons for sleep disruption that are more likely to occur in men. Other issues such as nutrient deficiencies, medication use, and underlying health conditions may also cause fatigue in men.
- If you’ve been feeling fatigued for more than two weeks, speak to your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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