Fatigue evaluation

If you're experiencing fatigue, you should schedule an In-Person Visit at MinuteClinic. Your provider can do a screening, which may include blood tests. After your screening, your provider might recommend iron supplements that could help your condition or advise you to seek further fatigue treatment or consultation.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Fatigue can come from many sources, including lifestyle choices, medical conditions and medications. Depending on the cause, fatigue could be either a temporary or chronic (long-lasting) condition. Causes include:

• Lifestyle choices: Drug and alcohol use, lack of exercise and high stress levels
• Medical conditions and diseases: Anemia, flu, mononucleosis, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism and others
• Treatments: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, etc.
• Autoimmune disorders: HIV, lupus, diabetes and more
• Congestive heart failure: Tiredness from your heart having to work harder than it normally would
• Low iron: A lack of the iron your body needs to function well
• Anorexia: Tiredness from the lack of proper nutrition you would get from regular eating
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Tiredness from getting less air in your lungs and less oxygen to your organs
• Vitamin deficiencies: Insufficient B12 or vitamin D

Iron deficiency, or low iron, is a condition in which the body does not have enough iron to function properly. Iron is vital to the formation of hemoglobin found in red blood cells, which carries oxygen through your body. Although most of the iron in your body is found in hemoglobin, it is also stored in the spleen, liver and bone marrow.

Low iron may be caused by:

• Lack of iron in your diet: Iron is found in leafy greens, meat and eggs or can be taken as a supplement
• Intestinal disorders: Celiac disease and other intestinal disorders reduce your body's ability to absorb nutrients such as iron
• Loss of blood: Blood loss due to ulcers, hernias, polyps, cancers or heavy menstruation lowers iron levels
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, iron is used by both - the person carrying the child and the fetus

In some cases, people with low iron experience no symptoms. In severe cases, the following symptoms may be present:

• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pica (a disorder that causes cravings of nonfood items)
• Swelling of the tongue
• Weakness
• Swollen spleen

Anemia, also known as low hemoglobin, is a condition in which your body lacks healthy red blood cells. Healthy red blood cells contain hemoglobin (a protein rich in iron) that help red blood cells deliver oxygen to your body’s organs. A lack of hemoglobin from anemia results in less oxygen going to your organs, and this can cause you to frequently feel fatigued or cold. 

Patients typically receive an anemia diagnosis after an anemia screening. An anemia screening, may include:

• Questions about your family history
• Blood tests and diagnostics
• A physical exam

There are different types of anemia, each with different causes. The cause of anemia usually determines the treatment. Sometimes, treatment can be as simple as iron pills or multivitamins. In other cases, more complex treatment may be required and your MinuteClinic® provider can refer you to a specialist.