[foocher23]

Hi, I'm a 15 year old female and I never have any energy and it is really starting to interfere with my life. I get about 7-8 hours of sleep every night, however I am still exhausted and when I get home from school I end up sleeping for another 4-5 hours. I realize I should get blood work to see if anything is wrong, but I have an intense phobia of needles and was wondering if you could just tell me if there is something I might be deficient in or lacking that I could just try taking? I'd just like to avoid the panic attacks that come with needles for me and missing school.. Thank you!

[Fr_Chuck]

What about your diet ?

But to be honest, at labs that do blood work, you really ( and I hate needles) I turn my head and don't know they even do it. Also sometimes we have to just do things for out good.

There is no way to guess, a doctor may look at you and observe some things but without a good exame no way to know

[Wondergirl]

I can immediately think of at least ten things that could be wrong with you. Go to your doctor and get your life back.

[taxesforaliens]

That happened to me too when I was your age, at one point I was falling asleep in class (I had iron deficiency).
Go to your doctor and get a check up, you hardly feel the needle for drawing blood.

[foocher23]

Thanks everyone, I just hate the needles. Last time I had blood work done I was hyperventilating and almost passed out, so I'm just scared to relive that. But I'll try to work up the confidence!

[kourtney86]

Hey there,
It could even be something as simple as exercise.
Getting up half an hour earlier and going for a jog (while it's the minium of exercise actually required everyday) if you don't do it already do it! You might not think you have the energy but it will make all the difference to your day and yourself... you will buzz and go and be so alert all day.
Also make sure you are eating plenty of protein. You can never ever have too much and plenty of water.
Not only will you feel 200% better but you will lose heaps of weight and feel way more confident :)

If that doesn't work you should probably see a doctor in case your iron is low.

[foocher23]

I agree, I think I may be lacking iron and maybe should drink more water because I stay active at school in my dance class, and I'm not overweight (I'm 110 lbs at 5'4). But thanks so much for all your help :)