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.

Dr. Vishnu Gopala (MBBS, FRACGP & Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer) explains that if you’re always feeling tired, even after adequate rest, it may not be just simple fatigue but a sign of underlying health issues. Persistent tiredness can be linked to nutrient deficiencies such as Vitamin B12 or Vitamin D, hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, poor sleep quality, or even mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, or depression.

He emphasizes that constant exhaustion should not be ignored or dismissed as laziness, as it is often the body’s way of signaling a deeper problem. Instead, it’s important to listen to your body, seek proper medical evaluation, and address the root cause, because feeling tired all the time is not normal and can often be treated effectively once identified.

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 may 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 can lead 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.

Tests for Tiredness and What They Check

Lifestyle & Environmental Causes of Tiredness

If your blood tests are normal, the reason for your fatigue will most likely stem from your daily activities.

Your body needs to work harder to pump blood when you are dehydrated in the hot Australian climate, which leads to fatigue.

The combination of blue light exposure from electronic devices and late-night caffeine consumption disrupts your ability to achieve deep REM sleep, which results in feeling unrefreshed after 8 hours of sleep.

People who do not move their bodies enough will experience de-conditioning of their physical abilities. Exercise as a regular activity helps your body store more energy.

GP Assessment Process

1. The assessment process for GP patients who experience tiredness includes a combination of medical history evaluation and specific diagnostic tests.
2. Your doctor will perform a complete assessment of your sleep patterns, eating habits, and stress levels.
3. The doctor will provide you with a pathology request form which you need to take to a collection centre for blood sample collection.
4. The test results will not be accurate if you consume any food or drinks except water during the 8 to 12 hour fasting period.
5. The results from your blood tests will reach your doctor's office between 24 to 48 hours after the tests are completed.

Hola Health Support

Hola Health provides assistance to patients who need help with their medical needs.

The service provides online Australian-registered GP consultations through telehealth technology which allows patients to receive 15-minute remote consultations from home.

The service enables patients to obtain:

1. Pathology request forms through email which they can use to visit local laboratories for testing,
2. Mental health plans and psychology referral services when stress causes their fatigue,
3. eScripts for necessary medications and supplements through their mobile device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tiredness be a sign of something serious?

Rarely. The medical evaluation of persistent fatigue helps doctors identify diabetes, heart problems, and sleep apnoea, although most cases stem from lifestyle factors or nutritional deficiencies.

Do I need to fast for tiredness-related blood tests?

The evaluation process for fatigue requires patients to abstain from food and drinks except water for 8 to 12 hours before their blood tests.

Will Medicare cover these tests?

The standard blood tests including Blood Count, Thyroid, and Liver function tests receive bulk billing coverage from Medicare.

The Vitamin D test requires a gap payment of $30 to $50 because Medicare does not provide coverage for this test unless you belong to a high-risk group.

How long until results come back?

The processing time for routine blood tests in Australia remains short. Your doctor will receive test results from the laboratory within one to two business days.

Can I get tests through telehealth?

The service allows patients to obtain tests through telehealth consultations. A Hola Health doctor can perform video consultations to diagnose your condition before sending you a pathology request form through email.

Is fatigue always medical?

The medical community does not consider fatigue as an exclusively medical condition. The main reasons behind fatigue include mental health problems, burnout, and stress-related exhaustion. The treatment of mental health issues leads to improved energy levels in patients.