goodbloodsCan you sleep eight hours and still be tired?
Yes. Time in bed isn't the same as good sleep. Sleep that keeps breaking, even for moments you don't remember, can leave you unrefreshed. So can sleeping at the wrong time for your body, which is a daily reality for shift workers, and the nightly reality for new parents.
One cause worth knowing about is obstructive sleep apnoea, where breathing repeatedly pauses during sleep. Loud snoring, gasping, or a partner noticing pauses are common clues. It needs a doctor and usually a sleep study to confirm, so it's not something to diagnose from an article.
What else can make you tired?
Plenty, which is the annoying part. Possible causes include:
- low iron or anaemia
- thyroid problems
- blood sugar problems, including diabetes
- low mood, anxiety or ongoing stress
- side effects of some medicines
- alcohol, late caffeine and irregular sleep times
- recovering from an illness
Often it's a combination. That's why “have you tried sleeping more?” is rarely the whole answer.
What can I try first?
The Sleep Health Foundation's general advice is a good place to start: wake at the same time each day, get daylight in the morning, give yourself time to wind down, and keep caffeine to earlier in the day. These are worth doing anyway. They aren't a reason to put off seeing a doctor if things don't shift.
When should I see a doctor about tiredness?
If it has gone on for a few weeks, if it's affecting work, relationships or driving, or if it comes with other changes, such as weight change you can't explain, fevers or night sweats, feeling short of breath, or very low mood.
Call 000 for chest pain, trouble breathing, or if you're in danger. For thoughts of self-harm, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you've fallen asleep while driving, stop driving and see a GP soon.
What should I do next?
| your situation | a sensible next step |
|---|---|
| Tired for a week or two after a busy patch | Sleep habits above, then reassess |
| Tired most days for weeks, cause unclear | See a doctor: a GP, or our $59 video consult |
| Loud snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing | See a doctor; you may need a sleep study |
| Tired plus unexplained weight change, fevers or night sweats | See a GP soon, in person |
| Chest pain, trouble breathing, thoughts of self-harm | 000 now |
What do people ask after months of "just tired"?
Will a blood test show why I'm tired?
Sometimes. Blood tests can pick up things like low iron or thyroid problems. But plenty of causes of tiredness don't show up on a blood test, so a normal result doesn't mean nothing's going on.
Is it just my age?
Age changes sleep, but being tired most days isn't something to accept without a look. That's what we'd say to anyone.
Should I catch up on sleep at the weekend?
A big weekend lie-in can shift your body clock and make Monday harder. A steady wake time tends to be the more useful habit.
Can I see a doctor online about tiredness?
Yes. A video consult suits the history-taking part well, and the doctor can request blood tests or refer you for a sleep study. If you need to be examined in person, they'll say so.
Fair question: is the sleep self-check a diagnosis?
No. It's six statements to help you describe what's going on. It doesn't score you and it can't diagnose anything.
Where does this information come from?
- Adams RJ, Appleton SL, Taylor AW, et al. Sleep health of Australian adults in 2016: results of the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation national survey. Sleep Health. 2017;3(1):35–42.
- Sleep Health Foundation. Sleep fact sheets. sleephealthfoundation.org.au
- healthdirect Australia. Fatigue. healthdirect.gov.au
General information, the doctor decides.