Differential Diagnosis for Fatigue
The following is a differential diagnosis for fatigue, categorized into the single most likely diagnosis, other likely diagnoses, do not miss diagnoses, and rare diagnoses.
- 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. This is often due to iron deficiency, chronic disease, or blood loss.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Hypothyroidism: A condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which are crucial for energy production and metabolism. Fatigue is a common symptom.
- Diabetes Mellitus: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause fatigue due to high blood sugar levels, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), this is a long-term illness characterized by extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition.
- Depression: A mental health disorder that can cause significant fatigue, among other symptoms like sadness, loss of interest, and changes in appetite or sleep.
- Sleep Apnea: A condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, leading to poor quality sleep and daytime fatigue.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Addison's Disease: A rare disorder of the adrenal glands where not enough cortisol and aldosterone are produced. Fatigue is a key symptom, and missing this diagnosis can be life-threatening.
- Heart Failure: A condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, leading to fatigue, among other symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Especially in its advanced stages, CKD can cause fatigue due to the buildup of toxins in the blood, which normally would be filtered out by healthy kidneys.
- Cancer: Various types of cancer can cause fatigue, which may be due to the cancer itself or its treatment. Early detection is crucial for effective management.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Mitochondrial Myopathies: A group of disorders that affect the mitochondria, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue due to impaired energy production.
- Pernicious Anemia: A type of vitamin B12 deficiency that occurs when the body cannot absorb the vitamin, leading to fatigue and other neurological symptoms.
- Wilson's Disease: A genetic disorder that leads to copper accumulation in the body, causing liver, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms, including fatigue.
- Porphyrias: A group of rare genetic disorders that can cause fatigue, among other symptoms like abdominal pain and neurological issues, due to defects in heme production.