SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
CFS specific:
- Debilitating fatigue
- Post-exertional malaise
- Cognitive decline
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Sleep disturbances
- Vitamin D
- B12 and folate
Red flags:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Focal neurological signs
- Persistent generalised lymphadenopathy
- HIV screen
- Hepatitis screen
- Morning cortisol
INVESTIGATIONS & DIAGNOSIS
First line:
- FBC
- Ferritin
- ESR – CRP
- U&Es
- TFTs
TREATMENT PLAN
- Clinical assessment and history-taking
- Identify possible causes/comorbidities
- Rule out red flags
- HbA1c
- Ig-TTG (coeliac screen)
- Urinalysis
- Creatine kinase
- Bone profile
- Myeloma screen (if >60)
Case specific:
- If no improvement in 3 months: refer for specialist assessment
- Referral required for CFS diagnosis confirmation
KEY INFORMATION
- CFS diagnosis through exclusion
- Must rule out physiological, physical, psychosocial & iatrogenic causes
- Specialist referral required for CFS diagnosis confirmation
EXTRA’S
The 2013 and 2022 diagnostic criteria sets are available for CFS.