Diagnostic Tests for Lethargy
Diagnostic Test list for Lethargy:
The list of diagnostic tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Lethargy
includes:
- Tests should be selected judiciously
- Physical examination
- Blood pressure taken when lying down and again after rapidly arising to standing position ( looking for postural hypotension of Addison's disease)
- Feel lymph nodes for enlargement
- Abdominal examination looking for an enlarged liver or spleen
- Full nervous system examination - If abnormalities are found may suggest muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease or Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis.
- Examine for mild signs of chronic fatigue syndrome - including muscle tenderness, mild red pharynx and tender slightly enlarged neck lymph nodes.
- 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 cortisol - 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
- Urine tests
- Urine microscopy and culture to detect urinary tract infection
- Urine analysis testing for increased levels of myoglobin which may be found in any condition causing significant muscle cell damage
- Urine Creatinine levels to rule out muscle disease
- 24 hour urine aldosterone level to diagnose hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome)
- Sputum tests
- Sputum culture for acid fast bacilli (tuberculosis)
- Stool tests
- 24 hour fat content, if suspect malabsorption syndrome
- Radiological investigations (depending on suspicion)
- Spirometry (lung function tests)
- ECG and holter monitor may be indicated
- Muscle biopsy - will help differentiate certain collagen diseases, muscular dystrophy and trichinosis.
- Tensilon test (edrophonium) test - if suspect myasthenia gravis.
- EMG (electromyogram) - may be considered if suspecting primary neuromuscular disorders.
- Overnight polysomnography (sleep studies) - are indicated if suspect sleep apnea.
Home Diagnostic Testing
These home medical tests may be relevant to Lethargy causes:
- Fatigue: Related Home Tests:
- Thyroid: Home Testing:
- Home Anemia Diagnostic Tests
- Adrenal Gland Health: Home Testing:
- Sleep Disorders: Home Testing
Conditions listing medical symptoms: Lethargy:
The following list of conditions
have 'Lethargy' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which
include a symptom of Lethargy or choose View All.
Conditions listing medical complications: Lethargy:
The following list of medical conditions have 'Lethargy'
or similar listed as a medical complication in our database.
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