Advanced Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test

£119.00

Explore why you’re feeling tired all the time with checks for anaemia, thyroid conditions, diabetes, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Results estimated in 3 working days

View 26 Biomarkers

How do you want to take your sample?

Please choose one option below
  • Book a venous draw at a clinic   +£35.00

    Visit one of our national clinic partners for a nurse to take your venous blood sample from a vein in your arm. We’ll email you instructions on how to book after we’ve processed your order.
  • Book a venous draw at home with a nurse +£59.00

  • Self-arrange a professional sample collection Free

Advanced Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test

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Is it for you?

Are you’re feeling constantly tired and fatigued without an obvious explanation? Perhaps you’ve been experiencing low energy levels for some time with no sign of improvement.

Our tiredness blood test covers the most common causes of chronic tiredness including anaemia, thyroid conditions, vitamin deficiencies, low iron, and diabetes. It provides insights that can help you take steps to boost your energy levels and get back to enjoying a more active life.

Biomarker table

Clotting status

Platelet count

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Platelets or clotting cells are the smallest type of blood cell. They are formed in the bone marrow and are important in blood clotting. When bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together and form a sticky plug (a clot) which helps stop the bleeding.

MPV

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MPV, or Mean Platelet Volume, is a measurement of the average size of your platelets. Platelets are fragmented cells within the blood that aid the process of clot formation. MPV provides an indication of platelet production in your bone marrow.

Diabetes

HbA1c

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Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also known as glycated haemoglobin, is a longer-term measure of glucose levels in your blood than a simple blood glucose test. Glucose attaches itself to the haemoglobin in your red blood cells, and as your cells live for around 12-16 weeks, it gives us a good indication of the average level of sugar in your blood over a 3-month period.

A raised HbA1c result points to diabetes or an increased risk of developing diabetes, which can have a significant impact on your lifespan and quality of life. Complications of uncontrolled diabetes include heart disease, kidney disease, eye problems, and vascular conditions. It can also contribute to mental health problems. And men with diabetes are three times more likely to have erectile dysfunction. Keeping your HbA1c within a normal range can help you reduce the risk of these conditions.

Inflammation

hs-CRP

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C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an inflammation marker used to assess whether there is inflammation in the body - it does not identify where the inflammation is located. High Sensitivity CRP (CRP-hs) is a test used to detect low-level inflammation thought to damage blood vessels which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. When you suffer a serious injury or infection you experience significant inflammation around the site of injury - such as the swelling around a twisted ankle. Any injury like this will cause your CRP-hs to rise.

Iron status

Iron

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Iron is a mineral that is essential for life. It is a component of haemoglobin, a protein in our red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen around our body. If we don't have enough iron, our haemoglobin levels fall and we can't get sufficient oxygen to our cells. This can cause symptoms which include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Serum iron is a very transient reading and can be influenced by the amount of iron-rich food in your diet in the days before your blood test. For this reason, iron is rarely looked at on its own, and is interpreted alongside other markers in an iron status test.

TIBC

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Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is a measure of the ability of your body to efficiently carry iron through the blood.

Transferrin saturation

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Transferrin is made in the liver and is the major protein in the blood which binds to iron and transports it round the body. This test measures how much this protein is 'saturated' by iron.

Ferritin

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Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells and tissues. Usually, the body incorporates iron into haemoglobin to be transported around the body, but when it has a surplus, it stores the remaining iron in ferritin for later use. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.

Red blood cells

Haemoglobin

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Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body and gives the blood its red colour. This test measures the amount of haemoglobin in the blood and is a good measure of the blood's ability to carry oxygen around the body.

Haematocrit

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HCT (haematocrit) measures the amount of space (volume) within the blood that is taken up by red blood cells.

Red cell count

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Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count analyses the number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, where it can be used to fuel energy processes such as movement and respiration. They also carry carbon dioxide produced from cells back to the lungs so that it can be exhaled.

MCV

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MCV (mean corpuscular volume) reflects the average size of your red blood cells. This is important to measure, as it can indicate how much oxygen your cells are likely to be transporting around the body.

MCH

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MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) measures the average amount of haemoglobin contained in one of your red blood cells.

MCHC

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MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) is the average concentration of haemoglobin in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin is a molecule which allows red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.

RDW

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Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) indicates whether your red blood cells are all the same size, or different sizes or shapes. Normally cells are fairly uniform both in size and in shape, but some blood disorders may cause your red blood cells to form in abnormal sizes. This test measures the difference between the largest and the smallest red blood cell.

Thyroid hormones

TSH

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Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland in order to regulate the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland. If thyroid hormones in the blood are low, then more TSH is produced to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more of them. If thyroid hormone levels are high, then the pituitary produces less TSH to slow the production of thyroid hormones. If TSH is too high or too low, it normally signifies that there is a problem with the thyroid gland which is causing it to under or over produce thyroid hormones. Sometimes a disorder of the pituitary gland can also cause abnormal TSH levels.

Free thyroxine

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Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It works to speed up the rate of your metabolism. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood - it is only the free, or unbound, T4 that is active in the body, which is measured in this test. Free T4 is the less active of the two main thyroid hormones. To have an impact on your cells it needs to convert to the more active T3 when your body needs it.

Vitamins

Folate - serum

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Folate is a B vitamin which acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids. It is also vital for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines which are essential for DNA synthesis and red cell formation. Folate is also especially important during the first trimester of pregnancy so if you are thinking of becoming pregnant it is important to make sure your folate levels are normal.

Vitamin B12 - active

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Vitamin B12 is important for production of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. B12 is also involved in metabolism and the nervous system and prolonged lack of vitamin B12 may cause nerve damage. Although Vitamin B12 is almost entirely found in animal-based foods, many vegetarian and vegan products, especially plant milks are now fortified with Vitamin B12.

Vitamin D

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Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone that’s produced by your skin when it’s exposed to sunshine. Before your body can use vitamin D produced by sun exposure (known as vitamin D3), it must be converted into another form called 25 hydroxycholecalciferol (25 OH). Vitamin D (25 OH) is the major circulating form of vitamin D, and so your vitamin D (25 OH) level is considered the most accurate indicator of vitamin D supply to your body.

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth, as it helps your body absorb calcium. It also plays a role in muscle health, immune function, and mental health.

Low vitamin D symptoms include muscle weakness, mood swings, and fatigue. Many people in the UK have low vitamin D levels, and people with dark skin and people who don’t spend much time outdoors are particularly at risk.

Small amounts of vitamin D can be obtained from food, especially oily fish, eggs, and vitamin-D fortified foods. But if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you’re unlikely to be able to improve your levels by food alone.

White blood cells

White cell count

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White Blood Cell (WBC) Count measures the number of white blood cells in the blood. White blood cells are key to your body's immune system. They fight infections and protect your body from foreign invaders such as harmful germs and bacteria. Additionally, they produce many antibodies and memory cells to protect you from further infections with the same germ.

Neutrophils

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Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell in the body and are responsible for helping your body fight infection. When a germ is initially detected by the body, neutrophils are the defence system which go out and attack the germ before any of your other white blood cells. When neutrophils are low you can be more vulnerable to illness and infection.

Lymphocytes

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Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which fight bacterial and viral infections. They are the subset of white blood cells involved in the more specific response to infections, which can identify and differentiate between different foreign organisms that enter the body. As well as fighting infection, they produce antibodies and memory cells to help to prevent future infections from the same germ. Lymphocytes include T cells, B cells and natural killer cells.

Monocytes

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Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that surround and destroy germs and dead or damaged cells from the blood. The heat and swelling that you feel when a body part is inflamed, for example after a cut on your finger, is caused by the activities of these cells.

Eosinophils

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Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that are responsible for removing parasitic infections and regulating inflammation to mark an infected site. They also play a role in allergy and in asthma.

Basophils

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Basophils are a type of white blood cell that protect your body from bacteria and parasites such as ticks. They also play a role in allergic reactions.
Special instructions

How to prepare for your test

Prepare for your Advanced Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test by following these instructions. Please take your sample before 10am. Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled. You should take this test before you take any medication or vitamin/mineral supplements. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed. Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.

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FAQs

What can cause tiredness and fatigue?

We all feel tired from time to time. Often, we’re aware of the cause, such as doing too much or getting over a recent illness. But if you feel tired all the time and don’t know why, it could be a sign of a medical problem.

There are lots of reasons why you might feel constantly tired, many of which you can do something about. Anaemia is one of the most common causes of fatigue. There are several types of anaemia, and some are caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies such as low levels of iron, vitamin B12, or folate. These conditions reduce the amount of oxygen your blood can carry around your body, which can make you feel tired and weak.

Other common causes of fatigue include vitamin D deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and diabetes. Most of these issues involve other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss and mood changes. If you’re experiencing other symptoms in addition to feeling tired, or if fatigue is affecting your daily life, we recommend you see your doctor.

What is an Advanced Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test?

The Advanced Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test is our most thorough check for common causes of chronic (long-term) tiredness.

It includes all the tests in our Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test plus a full blood count (FBC), which looks at the number and size of your red blood cells. It also checks your white blood cells, levels of vitamin B12 and folate, and your blood glucose level (HbA1c).

What can I learn from this test?

Tiredness is one of the most common reasons people visit their GP, so it’s not surprising that it has its own acronym — TATT (tired all the time). A TATT blood test is the ideal first step in exploring the cause of your low energy levels and taking steps to reduce fatigue.

Our tiredness test checks whether you have an underactive or overactive thyroid — both of which can make you feel fatigued. Feeling more tired could also be an indication of diabetes, so our test checks your blood glucose level to detect whether this is likely.

It also checks for deficiencies in vitamin D, iron, B12, and folate, which can all impact your energy levels. And you’ll learn whether abnormalities in your red blood cells could be causing fatigue, as well as if there are signs of infection or low-level inflammation in your body.

What is the treatment for tiredness and fatigue?

The treatment for tiredness and fatigue depends on the cause. If you have an underlying health issue that’s causing fatigue like a thyroid condition, you should notice an improvement in your symptoms once you begin treatment to manage your condition.

If a vitamin or mineral deficiency is the cause of your low energy levels, you may need to make changes to your diet and/or take a supplement to get your nutrient levels back in the healthy range. Always follow your GP’s advice before starting to take supplements, or increasing the amount you take, as taking too much can be harmful

What can I do to stop feeling tired all the time?

Making some healthy lifestyle changes may help boost your energy levels, such as drinking plenty of water and eating a nutritious, balanced diet, including plenty of essential vitamins and minerals.

You may feel too tired to exercise, but some gentle physical activity like a walk or a relaxing yoga session can make you feel more energised and help you get a good night’s sleep. Taking steps to manage stress, such as practising mindfulness or enjoying some me-time can also help reduce fatigue.

Try to stick to the same sleep times and aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Take a couple of hours before bedtime to relax by reading or listening to music. Avoiding screens and looking at your phone in the hour before bed can also help you drift off to sleep more easily.

Is fatigue more common in women than men?

Some conditions that cause fatigue are more common in women than men. For instance, women who have periods are more prone to iron deficiency anaemia due to blood loss during their menstrual cycle. Thyroid conditions, which have a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, are also more common in women than men.

Women can also be more likely to experience low energy levels at specific life stages due to hormonal imbalances. For example, fatigue is a common symptom of perimenopause (the transition phase before menopause) and is common during pregnancy.

Can I take an Advanced Tiredness and Fatigue Blood Test at home?

Yes, you can take a blood test for tiredness at home by arranging for a nurse to visit you to take your blood sample. Alternatively, you can arrange to visit a clinic for your sample to be taken at a time that suits you.

As this is an advanced test covering 26 biomarkers, your blood sample will need to be taken from a vein in your arm (a venous sample) to ensure the sample is sufficient.

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