Fatigued People Could Be Dealing With Serious Medical Issue

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- People who are continuously tired could be dealing with a serious medical issue.

CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez reports that it is hard to tell the difference between sleep deprivation, stress and pace from a real physical problem or disease.

Anne Horowitz told CBS2 that she would get tired a lot, especially after playing tennis.

"I went from having my best season ever to having my worst season ever," she said.

She thought it was just due to her hectic lifestyle – being a mother-of-three and starting a new job.

However, Horowitz started developing other symptoms. Her heart would start racing and she had tremors in her hands and legs. She was referred to an endocrinologist where a blood test revealed she had a hyper-active thyroid.

Dr. Kay Lovig of White Plains Hospital told CBS2 she sees a lot of patients like Horowitz. Dr. Lovig explained that there are many factors that can lead to fatigue.

"It can be as simple as anemia, iron deficiency, different vitamin deficiencies, vitamin D deficiency, Lyme disease, to more severe things like heart failure and malignancies," Dr. Lovig told CBS2.

Many of those problems are treatable with vitamin or iron supplements and antibiotics. Heart problems and cancer need early detection and ongoing specialized care.

Dr. Gomez warns that people need to be careful about self-diagnosing and self-treating fatigue.

The first step should always be try to get more sleep, reduce stress and have an easier schedule.

If that doesn't work, it's time to go to a doctor.