Why could i be so tired lately? i am a retired female almost 60 years old with a bmi of 38. the last few months, i sleep about 14 hours for every 24 (including day naps). even when i get up, after about an hour or so, i feel so sleepy i just want to go ba

Hello. : Hello. I don't if your doctor has you on vitamin d supplementation. Low vitamin d can be a cause for fatigue as well as a syndrome that looks like depression (low energy, low sex drive, low motivation levels, down mood, etc).

You : You should have a test for hypothyroidism (blood for tsh) but you likely have obstructive sleep apnea. Your weight is the major cause for that. I suspect you snore at night. People who wake up after lots of sleep and still feel tired and sleep have sleep apnea and until proven otherwise. Your lpid levels and vitamin are expected with your bmi but they do not explain your fatigue and sleepiness. See your doctor, get the thyroid tests and if they are normal get a sleep study. Sleep apnea is extremely common and overlooked by patients and doctors.

I : I doubt that your fatigue is due to low vitamin d. Your d level is actually not too bad although one should aim for mid 40s to 50s to achieve optimal skeletal and non skeletal benefits. Your HDL being low is not too surprising as you clearly lack physical activity in your life (hdl is coined the good cholesterol as it can only be elevated through exercise with mid 50-60s consider ideal). I do concur that a thyroid screening be obtained in addition to a sleep study to rule out hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea respectively. Lowering your bmi (through diet and exercise) will certainly be a prime focus as increased adiposity renders the airways collapsable causing chronic co2 retention and increased BP over time. Good luck. Cayce t. Jehaimi, M.D., faap pediatric endocrinology & diabetes the children's hospital of southwest florida fort myers, fl usa.