Chronische Müdigkeit — Chronic Fatigue Panel

Comprehensive fatigue investigation panel with full blood count, liver function, electrolytes, cortisol, ferritin, glucose, selenium, TSH, vitamin B12, and protein electrophoresis. At €65.29, a systematic workup covering the most common treatable causes of persistent tiredness.

Chronic fatigue has a broad differential diagnosis, and this panel systematically screens the most common and treatable causes. The full blood count detects anaemia — the single most common organic cause of fatigue worldwide. Iron deficiency anaemia is especially prevalent in menstruating women, but low ferritin can cause fatigue even before haemoglobin drops below the anaemia threshold. TSH screens for thyroid dysfunction — both hypothyroidism (the classic cause of fatigue, cold intolerance, and weight gain) and hyperthyroidism (which can present with fatigue from disrupted sleep and metabolic exhaustion). Subclinical thyroid disease is common and frequently undiagnosed. Cortisol assessment identifies adrenal dysfunction. Morning cortisol below the reference range raises the possibility of adrenal insufficiency — an uncommon but serious cause of fatigue that is often missed for years. Elevated cortisol suggests chronic stress or Cushing syndrome. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes fatigue through both haematological (anaemia) and neurological mechanisms. Selenium deficiency impairs thyroid hormone conversion (T4 to T3) and antioxidant defence. Liver function tests detect hepatic causes of fatigue — chronic liver disease of any cause produces fatigue as an early symptom. Protein electrophoresis screens for myeloma and other plasma cell disorders, which present with fatigue and can be diagnosed incidentally through this simple test. Fasting glucose identifies diabetes-related fatigue. Electrolyte imbalances (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) can cause fatigue and muscle weakness. This panel provides a thorough starting point for fatigue investigation before referral to specialist care.