Your healthcare practitioner will begin by taking your medical history and observing your physical status (your heart health, lymph nodes and thyroid functions). He/she will likely enquire about your lifestyle and may ask about any other related physical symptoms (such as headaches, nausea or pains) and weigh this up against the duration of the fatigue.

Diagnostic tests may also be performed to help in a diagnosis. These may include blood tests and urinalyses (e.g. for anaemia, thyroid function and possible infections).

The pattern of energy loss itself usually gives away any significant problem and healthcare practitioners may rely on your presentation and severity of symptoms for their diagnosis.