Overcoming Chronic Fatigue with Erez Functional Medicine

If you're struggling with persistent tiredness, poor sleep quality, and a lack of energy, you are not alone. At Erez Functional Medicine, I’ve dedicated years to understanding and treating the root causes of chronic fatigue, helping countless patients overcome this so they can live the fullest version of their lives. My approach goes beyond symptom-based treatments, addressing the deeper hormonal, metabolic, and environmental factors contributing to your fatigue.

Let’s explore the potential signs and triggers of your chronic fatigue, and how this unique functional medicine approach can help you regain your energy and enthusiasm for life.

Is This You?

Nearly every morning, you wake up feeling as if you haven't slept. Throughout the day, a persistent brain fog makes it hard to think clearly and simple decisions feel overwhelming. Even light exercise like a short walk can leave you feeling drained for hours, as if you've run a marathon.

When social or family events come around, your energy feels depleted, making it difficult to participate. Being around people and engaging in conversation can be as exhausting as physical exertion. Additionally, you might experience increased anxiety or sadness, complicating your daily life even further. These are significant signs that there might be more going on with your health, which regular doctor visits don’t always catch.

How You Can Fight Back

Many people with chronic fatigue find that conventional methods fall short, offering only superficial solutions. If your previous experiences have involved brief consultations, basic tests that return normal, and advice that doesn't address the true complexity of your condition, it's clear that standard approaches aren't probing deeply enough. These traditional paths often miss the underlying causes of chronic fatigue, leaving you without the answers or relief you need.

I understand that chronic fatigue isn't just about feeling tired; it's a complex condition influenced by factors such as immune system imbalances, disruptions in mitochondrial function, inflammation from gut microbiome disturbances, nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, chronic infections, hormonal imbalances, and circadian rhythm disruptions.

When partnering together, we start with a comprehensive evaluation to identify these contributing factors, including a thorough health history consultation and personalized functional lab tests based on your specific case.

From your test results and unique health profile, I'll tailor a treatment plan that is right for you. This might include balancing your immune system by getting the source of your inflammation under control. We’ll work on balancing your microbiome with natural antimicrobials and gut healing compounds.  I may add supplements to support hormone health or detoxification strategies to clear your body of toxins or heavy metals. I’ll provide a dietary roadmap to avoid foods and eating patterns that might be holding you back and sapping your body's energy.  I’ll also prescribe safe and effective pharmaceutical when called for.

My aim is to address the root causes of your fatigue, giving you the tools to regain your energy and enjoy a more active, fulfilling life. Together, we'll work on restoring your health so you can thrive, not just survive.

Uncovering Your Potential Triggers

Gut Issues

Chronic fatigue can often be linked to gut health issues like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome, food allergies, or celiac disease. We investigate these conditions through comprehensive testing, such as stool samples and food allergy tests, to identify and treat these underlying gut imbalances, aiming to restore your gut health and improve overall energy levels.

Auto-Immune Conditions / Immune Dysregulation

An overactive immune system can lead to inflammation and fatigue. We assess for autoimmune conditions and immune dysregulation through detailed blood work and immune system assessments. Treatment focuses on modulating the immune response through diet, lifestyle changes, supplements, and out of the box treatment strategies.

Environmental Toxins

Exposure to environmental toxins, molds, and heavy metals is a very common cause of chronic fatigue. These toxins often poison the mitochondria which are the energy powerhouses of the cells.  We utilize comprehensive testing to look for these toxins and the telltale signs they might be contributing to your fatigue and other health concerns.  Detoxification strategies may include chelation therapy, binders, and a range of supplements and natural products tailored to your issues that enhance your body's natural detoxification processes to help clear these toxins from your system.

Chronic Infections

Persistent infections like EBV, Lyme disease, and long Covid can also be the root cause of your fatigue. We utilize specific serological tests to detect these infections and tailor treatments that may include antiviral or antibiotic therapies, alongside supportive measures to boost your immune system and enhance recovery.

Circadian Rhythm Disturbances and Poor Sleep Quality

Poor sleep quality caused by various sleep disorders is a common cause of chronic fatigue. When we look at sleep data, either from an overnight sleep study at a sleep lab or data from wearables, I often see poor deep sleep metrics and low sleep scores. Sometimes, this is caused by alpha wave intrusions, where alpha brain waves disrupt deep sleep stages, further fragmenting sleep and preventing restorative rest. Delayed sleep phase disorders, where sleep is delayed by two or more hours beyond the conventional bedtime, also disrupt the natural sleep cycle and lead to poor-quality sleep. Sleep apnea, characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing, is another common issue. As a result, individuals with these conditions often wake up unrefreshed and experience persistent daytime fatigue. Addressing these sleep issues is crucial for managing chronic fatigue.

Hormone Imbalances

Hormone imbalances are very common in chronic fatigue. If your chronic fatigue is linked to thyroid issues, we don't just rely on basic TSH tests. We look deeper, measuring free T3, free T4, and reverse T3 levels to truly understand your thyroid health. Based on these results, treatment might involve tailored supplementation such as selenium or iodine, or even thyroid hormone replacements to correct imbalances and enhance your energy levels.

For men, low testosterone can be a significant factor in chronic fatigue. We assess your testosterone levels comprehensively, looking at free and total testosterone, DHT, androstenedione, SHBG, albumin, and more to get the most comprehensive picture of your levels. Treatment options include a full gamut of therapies to boost your natural production and, when indicated, testosterone replacement therapy to restore optimal levels and improve overall energy and mood.

Adrenal Fatigue can also trigger your symptoms. Detecting adrenal fatigue involves evaluating cortisol levels through specific tests to understand how your body responds to stress. Treatment focuses on supporting adrenal function with lifestyle adjustments, biofeedback, vagus nerve stimulation, and supplements like vitamin C and licorice root, which can help modulate cortisol production and the body's response to cortisol.

Each of these tailored treatments is designed to address the specific hormonal triggers of your chronic fatigue, helping you regain control over your health and vitality.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Nutrient Deficiency

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical factor in chronic health conditions like chronic fatigue. As the cell's powerhouses, mitochondria produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration. When they malfunction, energy production drops, causing fatigue and weakness. Nutrient deficiencies or suboptimal levels of certain B vitamins, iron, magnesium, NAD+, L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, and ribose impair mitochondrial function. These nutrients act as cofactors for enzymes in the electron transport chain, ensuring efficient energy production and preventing oxidative stress. Without them, ATP production decreases and harmful free radicals increase. We can test for these nutrient levels using specialized blood tests and functional medicine assessments. Adequate nutrient intake through diet or supplements is vital for maintaining mitochondrial health and energy levels.

Take Control of Your Health Journey

No matter the cause, you are at the heart of your health journey, taking active steps to conquer chronic fatigue. As you engage with the personalized treatment plan we've developed together, you start to see real changes. Imagine each day waking up refreshed, your energy restored, and brain fog lifted, allowing you to truly enjoy your life again.

By harnessing cutting-edge diagnostic tests and scientifically proven therapies, we tackle the measurable root causes of your fatigue. These aren't just temporary fixes but lasting changes that transform how you feel and live.

As your guide, I am here to support and empower you, celebrating each success as you regain not just your energy but also your zest for life. This journey is yours, and every step forward is a testament to your commitment to a healthier, more vibrant you.