Anemia and Disorders Blood Tests
Lethargy
1. A lowered level of consciousness, with drowsiness, listlessness, and apathy.
Lethargy is a fairly imprecise description of the feeling or slowness, sluggishness, tiredness, or lack of energy. Lethargy in common usage may mean many things, including fatigue, drowsiness (sleepiness), lethargy, tiredness, malaise, listlessness, or weakness (including muscular weakness). The causes of these other similar symptoms also need to be investigated in researching a symptom of lethargy. Nevertheless, any type of lethargy symptom can indicate a serious medical condition and needs prompt medical investigation.
Diagnosis of Lethargy * Blood tests * Full blood count and ESR * Electrolytes including calcium and magnesium - low potassium with Conn's syndrome). * Renal function tests * Liver function tests * Blood sugar * Thyroid function tests * Pregnancy test, if indicated * Iron studies to detect iron deficiency and hemochromatosis * Serum cortical - to help differentiate Addison's disease and hypopituitarism. * Celiac screen - if indicated. * Syphilis screen - if indicated. * ANA test, Rheumatoid factor and serum complement - to screen for autoimmune disorders. * HIV serology - if indicated. * Chronic infection screening ( such as Hepatitis A,B,C,D and E, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus, Lyme disease, brucellosis, Q fever, tuberculosis, malaria, infective endocarditis, toxoplasmosis) * Serial blood cultures, if there is a significant fever * Tissue markers for malignancy
Causes of Lethargy
The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Lethargy. * Hemolytic anemia * Bipolar disorder * Congestive heart failure * Folic acid deficiency anemia * Aplastic anemia * Adrenal insufficiency * Acromegaly * Depression * Diabetes mellitus * Malabsorption * Rheumatoid arthritis
1. A lowered level of consciousness, with drowsiness, listlessness, and apathy.
Lethargy is a fairly imprecise description of the feeling or slowness, sluggishness, tiredness, or lack of energy. Lethargy in common usage may mean many things, including fatigue, drowsiness (sleepiness), lethargy, tiredness, malaise, listlessness, or weakness (including muscular weakness). The causes of these other similar symptoms also need to be investigated in researching a symptom of lethargy. Nevertheless, any type of lethargy symptom can indicate a serious medical condition and needs prompt medical investigation.
Diagnosis of Lethargy * Blood tests * Full blood count and ESR * Electrolytes including calcium and magnesium - low potassium with Conn's syndrome). * Renal function tests * Liver function tests * Blood sugar * Thyroid function tests * Pregnancy test, if indicated * Iron studies to detect iron deficiency and hemochromatosis * Serum cortical - to help differentiate Addison's disease and hypopituitarism. * Celiac screen - if indicated. * Syphilis screen - if indicated. * ANA test, Rheumatoid factor and serum complement - to screen for autoimmune disorders. * HIV serology - if indicated. * Chronic infection screening ( such as Hepatitis A,B,C,D and E, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus, Lyme disease, brucellosis, Q fever, tuberculosis, malaria, infective endocarditis, toxoplasmosis) * Serial blood cultures, if there is a significant fever * Tissue markers for malignancy
Causes of Lethargy
The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Lethargy. * Hemolytic anemia * Bipolar disorder * Congestive heart failure * Folic acid deficiency anemia * Aplastic anemia * Adrenal insufficiency * Acromegaly * Depression * Diabetes mellitus * Malabsorption * Rheumatoid arthritis