Differential Diagnosis for Fatigue
The differential diagnosis for fatigue is extensive and can be categorized into several groups.
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Anemia: This is often considered due to its high prevalence and the fact that fatigue is a common presenting symptom. Anemia can result from various causes, including iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or chronic diseases.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Hypothyroidism: A condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, leading to fatigue among other symptoms.
- Diabetes: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause fatigue due to high blood sugar levels, which can lead to feelings of tiredness.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, this condition is characterized by extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition.
- Depression: Fatigue is a common symptom of depression, which can also include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities.
- Sleep Apnea: A condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
- Addison's Disease: A rare disorder of the adrenal glands where not enough cortisol and aldosterone are produced, leading to fatigue among other severe symptoms.
- Heart Failure: Fatigue can be an early symptom of heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Lymphoma: A type of cancer that affects the immune system and can cause fatigue, among other symptoms like weight loss and night sweats.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe, leading to fatigue.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Mitochondrial Myopathies: A group of disorders that affect the mitochondria, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.
- Pernicious Anemia: A rare condition where the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12, leading to anemia and fatigue.
- Wilson's Disease: A rare genetic disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the body, leading to liver, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms, including fatigue.