Lazy and unmotivated? It could be Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism or other health issues
Are you lazy and unmotivated? Do you have plenty to do, yet spend all your time watching TV or goofing around online, and then beat yourself up for it? Your lack of motivation could signal chronic health issues more so than regrettable character flaws. Although we all need some degree of discipline, life’s daily duties shouldn’t feel like insurmountable chores. Good health means you have the energy, motivation, and desire to not only manage daily life, but also make in time for hobbies, sports, socializing, and special projects.
In functional medicine, laziness and lack of motivation are seen as symptoms of larger health issues that, when addressed and corrected, can make the couch feel like a prison and life outside a playground of adventures waiting to be experienced.
Health issues that can make you lazy and unmotivated
Below are issues that may be sapping your energy, motivation, and desire to more fully live your life.
Blood sugar blues. If you skip breakfast and other meals, subsist on coffee and energy drinks, or if the majority of your meals are based around rice, noodles, pastries, cereal, sugar, and other processed carbohydrates, you are probably riding a roller coaster of blood sugar highs and lows. Eventually this causes fatigue, brain chemistry imbalances, depression, poor stress-handling, and other fallouts that will send you to the sofa.
Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. It is the leading cause of hypothyroidism and causes symptoms that include depression, fatigue, weight gain, lethargy, and low motivation. If you have lost your get-up-and-go, have your thyroid screened using functional medicine lab ranges.
Brain chemistry imbalance. Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters relay messages between neurons and play a large role in how we feel and function. When the neurotransmitter dopamine is low it can cause poor motivation and low self-esteem. Serotonin, GABA, and acetylcholine are other neurotransmitters that affect mood, energy, and motivation. Hormonal imbalances, hypothyroidism, high or low blood sugar, and chronic stress are factors that can skew neurotransmitters.
Brain fog. Brain fog is a symptom of brain inflammation. It simply means your brain is firing slowly, causing that heavy, thick, tired feeling in your brain. Things that can cause brain fog include chronic inflammation, an autoimmune reaction in the brain (when the immune system attacks the brain), food sensitivities, hypothyroidism, leaky gut, and hormonal imbalances.
Gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance has become more common and really drains the energy out of some people. It also causes inflammation, depression, fatigue, and other symptoms that make the couch awfully inviting. Other foods that may cause these reactions include dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and other grains.
Leaky gut. Leaky gut means the lining of the small intestine has become inflamed and overly porous, allowing undigested food particles, bacteria, fungus, and other pathogens into the bloodstream, where they don’t belong. This triggers inflammation in the body and brain. The result can be fatigue, lethargy, lack of motivation, and other couch potato characteristics.
These are just a few examples of how a subtle but chronic health issue can drain you of your drive. Of course, it’s hard to make drastic lifestyle changes when you have no energy or motivation, but start with something small and gradually add in new changes. Ask my office for help on restoring the energy and vitality you were meant to enjoy in life.
2 Comments. Leave new
Thanks, you answered my question, I’m normally an active person, was diagnosed 2 and one half months ago , they think leaky gut and Hashimoto. I read of urine test for leaky gut but said drs don’t think it’s accurate enough. Is there any other test? Antibodies were 107. Had saliva testing and pharmacist has given me some things to take but I have an appt in April 8 with a dr that deals with thyroid, she’s not a specialist but she’s also preventative dr. I’m on the whole30 food also.
Pharmacist told me Hashimoto s is reversible but I read online last night autoimmune is not reversible, so ?.
So from what you said, both I have can cause lack of motivation, it’s awful feeling this way, that’s not me at all
Anything else you can tell me will be helpful. Did drs do this article ?
I hope to heal this anyway natural. Don’t want to take synthroid if possible. Thanks
Hashimoto’s is not curable because it’s an autoimmune disease, but with proper management you can keep it in remission or close to that. Flare ups happen sometimes though. The best leaky gut testing is through Cyrex Labs. If you are positive for thyroid antibodies it’s important to see someone who can help you treat that. I refer people to Dr. Kari Vernon as she works remotely and is very experienced and knowledgeable.