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)
  • Chest X-Ray
  • X-Ray of skull and long bones
  • Bone scan
  • Upper GI series
  • Small bowel follow-through
  • Barium enema
  • Intravenous pyelogram
• 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:
  • Home Anemia Tests
  • Home Thyroid Gland Function Tests
  • Home Adrenal Gland Function Tests
  • Home Calcium Deficiency Tests
  • Sleep Apnea Testing
  • Home HIV Tests
• Thyroid: Home Testing:
  • Home Thyroid Function Testing
  • Home TSH Tests
  • Home Adrenal Function Tests
• Home Anemia Diagnostic Tests
• Adrenal Gland Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Adrenal Function Testing
  • Home Thyroid Function Tests
• Sleep Disorders: Home Testing
  • Home Sleep Tests
  • Sleep Apnea Diagnostic Tests

 » Next page: Glossary

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