Always Tired? When Fatigue Needs a Doctor
Everyone feels tired sometimes. But when exhaustion becomes your normal state, when sleep does not refresh you, when you cannot remember what energy felt like, something needs investigating.
Persistent fatigue is not laziness or poor sleep hygiene. It is your body telling you something is wrong.
When Tiredness Becomes a Medical Issue
Occasional tiredness is normal. Fatigue lasting more than two weeks despite adequate sleep deserves attention. Exhaustion affecting your ability to work, socialise, or enjoy life needs proper assessment.
Many treatable conditions cause fatigue. Finding and addressing the cause can transform how you feel.
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Common Causes of Persistent Fatigue
Iron deficiency anaemia is extremely common, particularly in women with heavy periods. Your body cannot carry oxygen efficiently, leaving you exhausted. A simple blood test diagnoses it and treatment brings rapid improvement.
Thyroid disorders affect energy levels profoundly. An underactive thyroid slows your entire metabolism. An overactive thyroid burns energy too quickly. Both cause fatigue and both are treatable.
Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the UK where sunshine is limited. Low levels cause tiredness, muscle weakness, and low mood. Supplementation helps significantly.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes fatigue, weakness, and sometimes neurological symptoms. It is more common in vegetarians and vegans but affects meat eaters too.
Diabetes causes fatigue when blood sugar is poorly controlled. Early diabetes often has no obvious symptoms beyond tiredness.
Sleep disorders including sleep apnoea mean you never get restorative sleep no matter how many hours you spend in bed.
Depression and anxiety frequently manifest as physical exhaustion even when the psychological symptoms are not obvious.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your GP will ask detailed questions about your fatigue. How long have you felt this way? Does sleep help? What else have you noticed?
Physical examination checks for signs of anaemia, thyroid problems, and other conditions.
Blood tests typically include full blood count, iron studies, thyroid function, vitamin D, B12, folate, glucose, and kidney and liver function. These cover the most common treatable causes.
Based on results, your GP will explain findings and recommend treatment or further investigation.
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When Results Are Normal
Sometimes all blood tests come back normal. This does not mean your fatigue is imaginary. Conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and post viral fatigue do not show on standard tests but are very real.
Your GP can discuss these possibilities and arrange appropriate management or referral.
Lifestyle Factors Matter Too
While investigating medical causes, your GP will also discuss sleep quality, stress levels, exercise habits, and diet. Sometimes fatigue has multiple contributing factors and addressing all of them brings the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I get blood test results? Most results are available within 24 to 48 hours. Your GP will review them and contact you to discuss findings.
What if blood tests are normal but I still feel exhausted? Normal results rule out common causes but do not mean nothing is wrong. Further investigation or specialist referral may be appropriate.
Could my fatigue be caused by stress? Absolutely. Chronic stress exhausts your body. However, it is important to rule out medical causes first.
Should I stop caffeine before my appointment? Continue your normal routine unless specifically instructed otherwise. This gives an accurate picture of your usual state.
You deserve to know why you feel exhausted. The answer might be simpler than you think.