Differential Diagnosis for Fatigue
The differential diagnosis for fatigue is extensive and can be categorized into several groups. Here's a breakdown of the possible causes:
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Anemia: A common condition characterized by a decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and resulting in fatigue.
- Hypothyroidism: A condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, which are essential for energy production and metabolism, often causing fatigue.
- Depression: A mental health disorder that can cause persistent feelings of tiredness, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
- Diabetes: A chronic condition that affects blood sugar levels, which can cause fatigue if not properly managed.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A condition characterized by persistent and unexplained fatigue that is not relieved by rest.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, and antihistamines, can cause fatigue as a side effect.
- Dehydration: Inadequate fluid intake or excessive fluid loss can lead to fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Addison's Disease: A rare endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone, which can cause fatigue, weight loss, and other symptoms.
- Hypoadrenocorticism: A condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol, which can cause fatigue, weight loss, and other symptoms.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection becomes uncontrolled and causes widespread inflammation.
- Cancer: Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, can cause fatigue as an early symptom.
- Heart Failure: A condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
Rare Diagnoses
- Mitochondrial Myopathies: A group of rare genetic disorders that affect the mitochondria, which can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and other symptoms.
- Porphyria: A group of rare genetic disorders that affect the production of heme, which can cause fatigue, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.
- Wilson's Disease: A rare genetic disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the body, which can cause fatigue, liver damage, and other symptoms.
- Myasthenia Gravis: A rare autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness and fatigue, which can worsen with activity and improve with rest.