Feeling low on energy can be frustrating, especially when you eat well, rest, and maintain an active lifestyle. For people over the age of sixty, a gradual drop in energy isn’t always just part of ageing. It can signal changes in nutrition, hormones, or underlying health conditions that warrant a closer examination.
At Smith Biomed, we believe staying informed about your body shouldn’t be complicated. With at-home health tests, you can uncover causes of fatigue and take steps to get your energy levels back.
Why does your energy drop after sixty
Our bodies change with age, but tiredness isn’t inevitable and can be overcome. Here are the key factors that contribute to the energy dip many notice in their 60s:
- Muscle loss and slower metabolism. Less muscle means fewer calories burned and less physical strength.
- Hormonal shifts. For women, post-menopause changes in oestrogen can affect mood, sleep, and stamina. Men may experience a gradual decline in testosterone, which can affect drive and recovery.
- Nutrition and absorption. Appetite often decreases, and the gut becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and B12.
- Sleep quality. As we age, sleep can be affected; you might wake more often, reducing REM and deep sleep.
- Underlying health issues. Low iron, low vitamin D, thyroid changes, or early cardiovascular problems can all show up as fatigue.
The first step to restoring your energy level is identifying the cause of the fatigue.
Five common reasons your energy may be low
1. Your iron levels are low
Iron is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body. If your levels are low, this can result in persistent tiredness, dizziness, and pale skin.
With the Smith BioMed Iron Deficiency Test, you can check your ferritin levels, the best indicator of iron stores, from home. The results can help you determine whether diet, supplements, or a doctor’s visit might be needed to restore your levels to a normal range.
Iron deficiency remains one of the most common nutritional issues worldwide. According to a 2022 BMJ Open Gastroenterology review, the World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 30% of the global population is affected by iron-deficiency anaemia.
2. Your vitamin D levels are low
Despite high levels of sunshine in New Zealand, studies show a significant portion of adults have insufficient vitamin D, especially those who spend less time outdoors. Low vitamin D levels can impact bones, mood, immunity, and energy levels.
The Smith BioMed Vitamin D At-Home Test accurately measures your vitamin D status. If levels are low, you can discuss safe sun exposure, diet, or supplements with your healthcare provider before fatigue and weakness worsen.
Tip: Older adults often produce less vitamin D in response to sunlight, so regular checks are a preventive measure.
3. You are experiencing hormone changes
For women, menopause can disrupt sleep and energy. Tracking hormone levels can signal whether fatigue, mood changes, or sleep issues have a biological basis.
The Smith Biomed Menopause Test can offer answers around whether you are still experiencing menopause, helping you understand whether your changing symptoms are hormone-related or caused by something else.
Why check:
Menopause symptoms can overlap with stress, thyroid issues, low iron, and vitamin D. Testing gives you a better understanding of what’s happening in your body, so you can make informed decisions about treatment, lifestyle changes, or talking with your GP.
4. Your heart and metabolic health
Low energy can sometimes trace back to cardiovascular strain or cholesterol imbalance. High cholesterol or triglycerides reduces blood flow and oxygen delivery, leaving you sluggish.
The Smith Bioed Cholesterol Test lets you monitor your cholesterol levels at home. Tracking your levels helps you stay proactive about heart health and gives an early indication if anything is abnormal, allowing you to seek professional advice sooner rather than later.
5. You may have an underlying health condition
Persistent fatigue can signal more than a nutrient or hormone imbalance. Conditions like bowel or prostate cancer can reduce energy.
The Smith BioMed Bowel Screening Test checks for hidden blood in stool, one of the earliest warning signs of bowel disease.
- The Prostate Health PSA Test measures prostate-specific antigen levels, helping men detect potential issues early.
- Early detection saves lives. When abnormalities are identified early, treatment options are simpler, and outcomes are better.
Take a proactive approach to your energy
You don’t have to accept tiredness as the price of getting older. By identifying the underlying cause, whether it’s low iron, vitamin D, hormonal changes, or another factor, you can take informed steps toward feeling more like yourself again.
At Smith Biomed, our at-home test kits are designed to make that process simple, accurate, and accessible. Each kit provides clear results within minutes, empowering you to discuss findings with your GP or make lifestyle adjustments immediately.
Explore our range of tests here.