Find out what’s causing your fatigue
All of us, from time to time, experience fatigue. Stress, periods of poor sleeping patterns, and overworking can all lead us to experience feelings of tiredness and lethargy.
But if this sense of exhaustion persists, and there doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation, it could be worth taking a closer look at your health to understand whether there’s another underlying cause.
Fatigue is a term used to describe a feeling of tiredness or low energy. Not to be confused with simply feeling sleepy which can be a symptom, fatigue is more extensive, can be prolonged and includes lack of motivation.
What causes fatigue?
Fatigue can be a normal response to physical and mental activity and, in these cases, is generally improved with rest.
Fatigue can also result from lifestyle choices such as poor diet or a lack of exercise, or from psychological conditions such as depression.
There are also a variety of medical conditions which can cause fatigue as a symptom, such as:
- Anaemia
Anaemia occurs when you do not have enough red blood cells needed to transport iron and haemoglobin through the bloodstream to your organs. Being anaemic can mean that you feel more tired or cold than usual. You might also notice your skin seems too pale, as a result of your organs not receiving the oxygen they need.
- Lyme disease
Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick and is more likely to happen if you live or spend time in grassy or heavily wooded areas.
Lyme disease is caused by four main species of bacteria. Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii cause Lyme disease in the United States, while Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are the leading causes of the disease in Europe and Asia.
Lyme disease symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, neck stiffness and swollen lymph nodes, as well as a rash.
- Epstein Barr Virus
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family and is one of the most common human viruses. EBV commonly spreads through bodily fluids, primarily saliva and can cause infectious mononucleosis (mono), and other illnesses.
People who get symptoms from EBV infection, generally teenagers or adults, tend to recover within two to four weeks. However, some people experience fatigue for several weeks or months.
After a person gets an EBV infection, the virus becomes inactive in the body. But in some cases, the virus can reactivate. While this does not always cause symptoms, for people with weakened immune systems, symptoms can develop.
Fatigue is symptom of many different illnesses and it can be frustrating trying to work out the cause. Blood testing can help you get to the root cause of the issue, giving you the information you need to get the right treatment or make changes to your lifestyle, in order to feel better.
Booking your private fatigue test
We can make sure the experience is as easy, convenient, and painless as possible. By partnering with Spire Healthcare, we make the process simple and seamless by offering easy-to-book appointments at your local Spire Hospital. Here’s how it works:
As well as tests for conditions which cause fatigue we have a comprehensive range of health checks and diagnostic blood tests available, including male and female hormone profiles.
After you have selected the right test for you, simply order online through our secure payment system or chat to a member of our team. Once your order is placed, you’ll receive all the information you need to arrange your convenient blood draw appointment at one of our Spire Hospital locations.
Your pathology passport – the information sent to you after you place your order – will also tell you whether you need to fast ahead of your test. Included in each request for fatigue-based testing are:
- A doctor’s referral
- All phlebotomy
- All laboratory fees
- Our GP’s comments
How your appointment works
We partner with Spire Healthcare to offer a professional phlebotomy service. This guarantees that your blood samples are taken and handled correctly and that your results are processed efficiently by clinical professionals. Our confidential blood examination for fatigue-related conditions is available at over thirty private clinics around the UK.
Unlike home testing healthcare kits, where you take the sample yourself, our trained professionals reduce the likelihood of errors such as collecting an insufficient amount of blood or accidental contamination, which could delay your test results.
At your appointment, the friendly team will talk to you about your test, collect your blood sample and send it off for testing at an accredited partner laboratory. All you need to do is arrive for your appointment. We’ll take care of the test, and the rest.
Clear, accurate results
The time it takes to receive your results will depend on the type of test you have chosen. When they are ready, your results will be sent directly to you, via email, within the time specified. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of your results through the post, that can easily be arranged for you.
You can also choose the option of reported or unreported results. Reported results include information and comment from our GP which you may find helpful to discuss with your own consultant, or for your records.
Find out more about our range of fatigue tests