The Truth About Tiredness: Is It Your Thyroid or Low Testosterone?

Fatigue. Brain fog. Weight gain. Low mood.

If you’ve been feeling off and your labs “look normal,” you’re not alone. Many patients—especially those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—come to me exhausted and frustrated, wondering if their symptoms are due to thyroid dysfunction or low testosterone.

The answer? Often it’s both—or neither—and the key lies in how we look at the whole picture.

As Dr. Laura, I specialize in identifying root causes of fatigue and hormonal dysfunction. Let’s break down how these two conditions compare, and why so many people are misdiagnosed or missed entirely.

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🚫 “Your Labs Are Normal” Doesn’t Mean You’re Fine

Most conventional lab ranges are too wide—and too outdated—to catch subtle dysfunction. Many patients are told they’re “normal” when they’re actually suboptimal.

This is especially true for:

    •    TSH alone being used to diagnose thyroid issues

    •    Total testosterone being checked without free testosterone

    •    No testing for cortisol, insulin, SHBG, or nutrient cofactors

You deserve better than that.

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🧠 Shared Symptoms: Thyroid vs. Testosterone

Both thyroid and testosterone imbalances can cause:

    •    Fatigue and brain fog

    •    Low motivation

    •    Depression or anxiety

    •    Weight gain (especially abdominal)

    •    Poor recovery from exercise

    •    Cold intolerance and poor circulation

But the underlying causes and treatment are very different.

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🧬 Low Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

More common in women, especially postpartum or after age 35.

Key Symptoms:

    •    Cold hands and feet

    •    Constipation

    •    Dry skin, hair loss, brittle nails

    •    Puffy face or weight gain despite dieting

    •    Slow thinking or feeling “sluggish”

What I check:

    •    TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3

    •    Thyroid antibodies (Hashimoto’s)

    •    Iron, selenium, iodine, B12, cortisol

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🧪 Low Testosterone

Common in men as early as 30s, and in women after childbirth or menopause.

Key Symptoms:

    •    Low libido and poor sexual function

    •    Fatigue and low drive

    •    Loss of muscle tone

    •    Mood swings or irritability

    •    Poor sleep quality

What I check:

    •    Total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG

    •    Estradiol, DHEA, cortisol

    •    Ferritin, zinc, vitamin D

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Why You Need a Full Evaluation

In my practice, many patients have been treated for the wrong thing—or not treated at all—because no one took the time to connect the dots. Often the issue is a combination:

    •    Low testosterone + high cortisol

    •    Subclinical hypothyroidism + nutrient deficiency

    •    Chronic stress causing both thyroid and testosterone disruption

It’s not just about one number. It’s about the entire hormonal ecosystem.

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What We Do Differently at Dr. Laura

I use functional hormone mapping and comprehensive lab panels to:

    •    Identify why you’re tired

    •    Restore hormones to optimal—not just normal—levels

    •    Personalize treatment with thyroid support, testosterone therapy, peptides, or nutrition as needed

Because fatigue isn’t a personality flaw—it’s a signal your body needs help.

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Tired of Feeling Tired?

Let’s find the real reason behind your exhaustion—and fix it.

Book a consult with Dr. Laura and take back your energy, clarity, and strength.