Tiredness test: Is there a test for feeling tired? 

Overview

The exhaustion you experience goes beyond typical sleep problems. Australian doctors perform various tests to determine the reason behind your ongoing exhaustion. Feeling drained stands as one of the most frequent medical complaints Australians present to their doctors. People tend to dismiss fatigue until it interferes with their ability to perform daily tasks. You require a medical assessment when you experience persistent tiredness which is not resolved with adequate sleep. There is no single test which provides immediate answers to the problems of tiredness. Your doctor will examine your medical records before performing particular tests to identify potential medical conditions including anaemia, thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Signs That You’re Tired

Tiredness isn't always just about feeling sleepy. It can manifest in various ways, both physically and mentally.

Physical signs:

You might experience:

• Persistent fatigue or exhaustion
• Muscle weakness or aches
• Headaches
• Slowed reflexes or responses
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Changes in appetite

Mental signs:

Fatigue can also impact your mind, leading to:

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Irritability or mood swings
• Forgetfulness or difficulty learning new information
• Decreased motivation or lack of enthusiasm
• Difficulty making decisions

If you find yourself relating to several of these symptoms, it could be a sign that you're dealing with more than just a passing wave of tiredness.

What causes fatigue?

Fatigue is a complex issue with numerous potential causes, falling into three main categories:

Physical causes:

A wide range of underlying medical conditions can lead to fatigue, including:

• Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
• Thyroid problems (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
• Sleep apnoea (disrupted breathing during sleep)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue)
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia)
• Infections (e.g., mononucleosis, hepatitis)
• Cancer

These conditions can disrupt your body's energy production or utilisation, leaving you feeling drained. It's like your body's engine struggling to function optimally due to a faulty part or insufficient fuel.

Psychological causes:

Mental health significantly impacts our energy levels. Conditions such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress

These can trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol. While these hormones are helpful in short bursts, chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, disrupting sleep, impacting mood, and ultimately depleting your energy reserves. It's like carrying a heavy emotional burden that weighs you down.

Tests Doctors suggest for Tiredness

If you visit a GP because of persistent fatigue they will perform a series of standard blood tests.

The Full Blood Count (FBC)

The Full Blood Count (FBC) test examines your complete blood cell composition. The test helps doctors identify two possible conditions which affect your energy levels: anaemia and infections that weaken your body. The test measures your red and white blood cells to identify potential health issues.

Iron Studies / Ferritin

The main reason Australians experience fatigue stems from iron deficiency which affects women more frequently. The doctor checks your ferritin levels (an indication of your iron stores), because iron deficiency can cause exhaustion before you develop anaemia.

Thyroid Function Test (TSH, T4)

Your thyroid gland functions as your body's metabolic controller. Your body functions at a slower pace when you have hypothyroidism because this condition creates a metabolic slowdown that leads to weight gain, cold sensitivity and fatigue.

Vitamin B12 and Folate

These essential nutrients serve dual purposes by supporting energy production and maintaining proper nerve function. People who follow vegetarian diets or have absorption problems may develop weakness and brain fog because of their low vitamin B12 and folate levels.

Vitamin D Levels

The Australian climate provides plentiful sunlight but people who stay indoors develop Vitamin D deficiency as a result. The Medicare system restricts blood test rebates for this test to specific high-risk patient groups so you might need to pay for the test.

Blood Glucose & HbA1c

The blood glucose test and HbA1c test help doctors identify diabetes and pre-diabetes conditions. Your cells fail to absorb energy properly when you have uncontrolled blood sugar which results in persistent fatigue and excessive thirst.

Kidney & Liver Function Tests

These tests evaluate the organ function of your kidneys and liver. The buildup of toxins in your blood due to sluggish organ function leads to general fatigue and nausea symptoms.

Sleep-related Assessments

Blood tests do not have the ability to detect sleep disorders. Your doctor may use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to check for Sleep Apnoea when you experience snoring or gasping during sleep.

Mental Health Assessment

Fatigue serves as a primary physical symptom which appears in patients with anxiety and depression. Your doctor may use the K10 questionnaire to determine if psychological distress stands as the primary reason behind your physical exhaustion.

Overview

The exhaustion you experience goes beyond typical sleep problems. Australian doctors perform various tests to determine the reason behind your ongoing exhaustion.

Feeling drained stands as one of the most frequent medical complaints Australians present to their doctors. People tend to dismiss fatigue until it interferes with their ability to perform daily tasks. You require a medical assessment when you experience persistent tiredness that is not resolved with adequate sleep.

There is no single test that provides immediate answers for tiredness. Your doctor will review your medical history before ordering specific tests to identify possible medical conditions such as anaemia, thyroid disorders, and vitamin deficiencies.

Signs That You’re Tired

Tiredness isn't always just about feeling sleepy. It can show up in different ways, both physically and mentally.

Physical signs:

You might experience:

• Persistent fatigue or exhaustion
• Muscle weakness or aches
• Headaches
• Slowed reflexes or responses
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Changes in appetite

Mental signs:

Fatigue can also affect your mental wellbeing, leading to:

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Irritability or mood swings
• Forgetfulness or difficulty learning new information
• Decreased motivation or lack of enthusiasm
• Difficulty making decisions

If you relate to several of these symptoms, it may indicate more than temporary tiredness.

What Causes Fatigue?

Fatigue is a complex issue with many possible causes, generally grouped into physical and psychological factors.

Physical causes:

A wide range of medical conditions can contribute to fatigue, including:

• Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
• Thyroid problems (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
• Sleep apnoea (disrupted breathing during sleep)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia)
• Infections (e.g. glandular fever, hepatitis)
• Cancer

These conditions interfere with how your body produces or uses energy, leaving you feeling drained.

Psychological causes:

Mental health has a significant impact on energy levels. Conditions such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress

These can increase stress hormones like cortisol. While helpful short-term, long-term elevation disrupts sleep and mood, steadily draining your energy.

Tests Doctors Suggest for Tiredness

When you see a GP for ongoing fatigue, they usually recommend a set of standard investigations.

The Full Blood Count (FBC)

An FBC analyses your blood cells and helps detect anaemia and infections, both of which commonly affect energy levels.

Iron Studies / Ferritin

Iron deficiency is a common cause of fatigue in Australia, particularly in women. Ferritin testing checks your iron stores and can identify deficiency before anaemia develops.

Thyroid Function Test (TSH, T4)

The thyroid regulates metabolism. An underactive thyroid slows bodily processes, often causing weight gain, cold sensitivity, and fatigue.

Vitamin B12 and Folate

These nutrients are essential for energy and nerve function. Low levels, especially in vegetarians or people with absorption issues, can cause weakness and brain fog.

Vitamin D Levels

Despite abundant sunshine, Vitamin D deficiency is common in people who spend little time outdoors. Medicare rebates apply only to specific high-risk groups.

Blood Glucose & HbA1c

These tests screen for diabetes and pre-diabetes. Poor blood sugar control prevents cells from accessing energy efficiently.

Kidney & Liver Function Tests

When these organs aren’t working efficiently, toxins can build up in the bloodstream, leading to fatigue and nausea.

Sleep-related Assessments

Blood tests can’t diagnose sleep disorders. If symptoms suggest sleep apnoea, your doctor may use tools like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Mental Health Assessment

Fatigue is often a key symptom of anxiety and depression. Questionnaires such as the K10 help assess whether psychological distress is contributing to exhaustion.