Am I anemic?

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I don't know if it's caused by depression or what, but lately I keep feeling exhausted when performing physical tasks at work. I'm OK at walking; I can walk really fast, but when I'm doing physical work like sweeping and mopping I get really exhausted easily. It's quite embarrassing, because it's only a part-time job and the other cleaner I work with is much older than me but seems able to handle all the physical work. I'm laying in bed now, feeling exhausted with aching muscles and sore feet. I feel like an old lady of 80.

No, it's not covid, before you say. It's not that sort of pain or exhaustion.

It's more like physical lethargy. I don't smoke or drink alcohol at all, but it's not breathlessness anyway. I think it might be anemia, but it's not like I don't eat food that contains iron, because I do. I eat vegetables a lot, like broccoli, carrots and peas (I don't like spinach) and I eat a lot of fruit too, and also meat and fish. I don't drink tea but I do have soup with vegetables and herbs in it. I do maintain a healthy diet.

I do have depression too. But do you think I could be anemic? Or does depression do this to you? Or could it be something else? I don't really want to go on meds that might affect my sleep or my digestion, as it's vital for me to get sleep every night and I don't want to take iron tablets that make my poop look like dusty charcoal.

Or am I dying?

Unsure. Ask a doctor to be sure.


I likely am, though undiagnosed and untreated.

My symptoms were more than just fatigue -- paler complexion, cold hands and feet, unusual heart beat patterns, red spots on my skin, dizziness and seconds long blindness when getting up or standing up too fast, heavier menses, recurring flu like symptoms, tinnitus, easier bruising...

That, and for years now. Sometimes it's worse, sometimes it's not. I don't take any supplements however -- can't afford them.

It also gets confusing because my blood pressure is usually low, and adding upper respiratory issues into the mix...

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Could be...
Low Blood Sugar Levels. (Hypoglycaemia)

I just feel that for someone of my age I shouldn't be this lethargic. I have "ADHD energy", but that doesn't always mean being fit enough to physically cope with a tiring job. I look at the people that work in the office and I envy them for getting to sit down at a desk, in the warm. But I don't think I could do that either, as I wouldn't be able to sit still.

Maybe the fact that my cleaning job is too repetitive and it exhausts me physically for some reason?

I don't have the other symptoms of anemia that Edna3362 described, only irregular heartbeat sometimes, but I think that's due to emotional stress and anxiety. Maybe I'm just getting bored in my repetitive job and it's making it more of an effort for me than it really is.

Maybe it is due to stress and anxiety. It can take its toll on you.

Go to the doctors if it persists

I don't get autistic burn out.

You can't tell if you're anaemic unless you have it tested by iron studies.
Speak with your doctor.

I think I've found the problem but I can't be sure.

I think I work too fast, which causes me to feel lethargic or worn out before my shift is over. Today I went a bit slower, not at the work but between each task, like having a 1 or 2-minute break to stand and do a few gentle breathing exercises. That way I was able to relax more and not wear myself out so quickly.

So I don't think it is anemia, it's just me being too fast for my own good. Even my boss told me to slow down a little and give myself time to breathe.

No autistic burnout? Very lucky. I've been through that twice myself. And it's not very pleasant.


Pacing yourself slower makes sense...

I stop getting tired too often after hours of walking when I started to walk a little slowly and in a more relaxed paced than a rushed one.

I did so to prevent burnouts.


Hmmm...
And then there's like this form of exertion... That makes movements seem faster and forceful. It does take more energy and it feels a bit tense.

My SPED teacher once told me it's something common to those with ADHD.

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