Tired all the time
The patient is experiencing persistent, unexplained fatigue and feeling tired all the time.
Possible urgent-care warning
Your description mentions symptoms that can be serious. If any of the following apply right now, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department — do not wait for a GP appointment:
- Unexplained major weight loss with fatigue (Suspected cancer pathway: NICE NG12)
- Chest pain or acute dyspnoea accompanied by severe fatigue (Suspected cardiac ACS: NICE NG196)
- New-onset severe focal neurological deficits (NICE NG128 for suspected stroke)
Possible causes
- 01
Iron Deficiency Anaemia
commonA depleted store of iron prevents red blood cells from effectively carrying oxygen around the body, leading to profound tiredness and lack of energy.
Evidence
- NICE CKS: NICE CKS: Anaemia - iron deficiency (Revised September 2021)
- NHS: NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia (Last reviewed January 2024)
- 02
Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
commonAn underactive thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which slows down the body's metabolism and causes severe fatigue, weight gain, and feeling cold.
Evidence
- NICE CKS: NICE CKS: Thyroid dysfunction - active management (Revised October 2023)
- 03
Vitamin D Deficiency
commonVery common in the UAE due to high indoor times; lack of Vitamin D is a primary driver of bone, muscle aches, and chronic, heavy fatigue.
Evidence
- Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic: Vitamin D deficiency symptoms and treatment (2023)
- 04
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
possibleLow levels of vitamin B12 affect nerve function and healthy red blood cell production, resulting in fatigue, brain fog, and muscle weakness.
Evidence
- NICE CKS: NICE CKS: Anaemia - B12 and folate deficiency (Revised October 2023)
- 05
Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes
possibleInefficient glucose transport into your body's cells leaves you lacking energy despite eating well, leading to fatigue accompanied by high thirst.
Evidence
- Cochrane: Cochrane Library: Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus (2020)
Recommended tests
Full body blood test
→80+ marker screen — CBC, thyroid, liver, kidney, iron, vitamin D, HbA1c, lipids, hormones.
Why: NICE clinical guidelines recommend a comprehensive screen including complete blood count, inflammatory markers, thyroid, kidney, and liver function as a first-line investigation for unexplained tiredness.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: NICE CKS: Tiredness/fatigue in adults - assessment (Revised September 2022)
Thyroid function panel
→TSH, Free T3, Free T4 — first-line test for fatigue, weight change, hair loss, mood.
Why: Specifically checks TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 to rule out thyroid disorders which are a leading metabolic causes of persistent fatigue.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: NICE CKS: Thyroid dysfunction - investigation (Revised October 2023)
Iron & ferritin
→Ferritin, serum iron, TIBC — checks for iron-deficiency anaemia.
Why: Confirms or rules out depleted iron stores (ferritin) before overt anaemia displays on a basic blood counts.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: NICE CKS: Anaemia - iron deficiency (Revised September 2021)
HbA1c (diabetes)
→3-month average blood sugar — screens for prediabetes and diabetes.
Why: Screens for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes by measuring your cellular blood-sugar exposure over the past 3 months.
Guideline
- WHO: WHO: Use of Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (2011)
GP consultation
→30–60 minute consultation with a British-trained GP — clinic, home or video.
Why: Highly recommended to contextualise your blood results with a primary care clinician to explore psychological, lifestyle, or sleep-related root causes of chronic fatigue.
Guideline
- NICE: NICE Guideline NG206: ME/CFS: diagnosis and management (2021)
When to worry
- Fatigue accompanied by unexplained, rapid weight loss.
- Night sweats, recurrent fevers, or swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin.
- Shortness of breath, chest tightness, or a racing heart during minor daily activities.
- Sudden, severe muscle weakness or neurological symptoms like vision changes.
- New, deep, unprovoked bone or joint pain that is worse at night.
Sources & guidelines
This triage is grounded in mainstream clinical guidance. Every case is reviewed in person by a British-trained GP before any diagnosis or prescription.
- NICE: NICE CKS: Tiredness/fatigue in adults - assessment (Revised September 2022)
- NICE: NICE Guideline NG206: Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management (October 2021)
- BMJ Best Practice: BMJ Best Practice: Assessment of chronic fatigue (Updated June 2023)
Related
Book a British-trained GP to review this properly
This is an AI triage. Every real diagnosis, prescription and test at Aafiyah is signed off by a GP. WhatsApp us — reception already has your symptom summary and the suggested tests, so we can book you in with the right prep in place.
This page is educational triage information only. It is not a medical diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a licensed doctor. Aafiyah Care Clinic — Unit G09, Churchill Executive Towers, Business Bay, Dubai. DHA-licensed.
Trusted by families and professionals across Dubai.
"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
Start where you're comfortable.
Read first, talk to a doctor, or book in — whichever stage you're at, there's a no-pressure way in.
Free Primary Care Guide
What proper primary care should look like — a short, honest PDF written by our British-trained team. Read it before you decide on a clinic.
Free 15-Minute Doctor Call
Not sure if we're the right fit? Book a free discovery call with one of our GPs. No commitment, no sales — just a clinician answering your questions.
20% Off Your First Appointment
First-time patients save 20% on any first consultation, home visit or blood test. Mention this offer when you enquire — it's our welcome to the clinic.