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Doctor and Patient

Fatigue (Ongoing Tiredness)

Feeling persistently tired can affect your concentration, work, and overall quality of life.
Fatigue is common, but when it is ongoing or unexplained, it is worth understanding why.

What Fatigue Can Mean

Fatigue can arise from a wide range of causes.

Common and often reversible factors include:

  • Poor sleep or disrupted sleep patterns

  • Stress or burnout

  • Low mood or anxiety

Other causes that may need medical assessment include:

  • Anaemia or nutritional deficiencies

  • Thyroid or hormonal problems

  • Chronic infections or inflammatory conditions

Fatigue is often multifactorial, and understanding the full context is important.

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When to Take Fatigue Seriously

You should seek medical advice if you have:

  • Fatigue that is persistent or worsening

  • Associated weight loss or loss of appetite

  • Night sweats or recurrent fevers

  • New or unexplained symptoms alongside tiredness

If fatigue is affecting your daily functioning or not improving, it should be assessed.

Doctor in Office
Why see a general physycian?

Fatigue rarely has a single, obvious cause.

A general physician looks at sleep, physical health, mental wellbeing, and underlying medical conditions together to build a clear picture.

This is particularly helpful when symptoms are ongoing or difficult to explain.

How We Assess Fatigue

A structured assessment typically includes:

  • A detailed discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, and sleep

  • Review of your medical history

  • Physical examination

  • Targeted blood tests or investigations where appropriate

This approach helps identify contributing factors without unnecessary testing.

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Request an Appointment

If you are unsure where to start, this is usually the most appropriate first step.

This information is general and not a substitute for medical advice.

Possible Investigations
(if appropriate)

​Fatigue can have a wide range of causes, including medical, metabolic, and lifestyle factors. Investigations are selected to identify common and treatable contributors based on your symptoms and clinical assessment

Blood tests

May include:

  • Full blood count (to assess for anaemia)

  • Iron studies

  • Vitamin B12 and folate

  • Thyroid function

  • Blood glucose and metabolic profile

  • Inflammatory markers

IMAGING

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Imaging is not routinely required but may be arranged if suggested by your symptoms or examination findings.

OTHER ASSESSMENTS

Depending on your symptoms:

  • Review of sleep patterns and contributing factors

  • Blood pressure measurement

  • Assessment of medications and lifestyle factors

  • Further referral where appropriate

Investigations focus on identifying reversible or treatable causes of fatigue, while avoiding unnecessary or low-yield testing.

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