A Chronic Fatigue Blood Test

Is there such a thing as a chronic fatigue blood test?

From a doctor's perspective, chronic fatigue can have many possible causes. Most medical students could easily generate a list of about a hundred conditions capable of causing chronic fatigue.

Despite the claims of some alternative therapists, there is no one single blood test which can predict the cause of chronic fatigue or the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Here are some possible blood tests that your doctor might do if you are complaining of chronic tiredness or fatigue.
  • kidney or renal function blood tests - problems with kidney function can result in fatigue
  • liver function blood tests - liver problems can also cause chronic tiredness or fatigue
  • blood sugar level - a high blood sugar level can indicate diabetes and diabetes commonly first shows itself with fatigue or tiredness
  • thyroid blood tests - an underactive thyroid gland will cause slowly worsening symptoms of lethargy, fatigue and tiredness
  • hormone level blood tests
  • blood count levels - a low red cell blood count can point towards anaemia as a cause of fatigue. A low white blood cell level can indicate problems with the immune system. Very rarely conditions such as leukaemia can show up on this kind of blood test
  • inflammation tests - the ESR test and the CRP test can show up inflammation in the blood and are sometimes helpful in those suffering from chronic fatigue
  • auto-immune tests - several diseases have the ability to attack the bodies own cells and organs. Blood tests can help pick up this type of problem
  • infection screening tests - chronic grumbling infections like tuberculosis or lyme disease can cause chronic fatigue
  • viral screening tests - glandular fever (Epstein Barr Virus), CMV and rarely HIV can be picked up in blood tests of those with chronic tiredness and fatigue

There is no one single chronic fatigue blood test - but a good doctor will consider all the options and arrange the appropriate test.

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