How do I book a first appointment at Mojo Klinik?

All new-patient appointments at Mojo Klinik are booked online, through our booking system . Reception cannot take a new-patient booking by phone. The booking takes five steps: who is booking, the date, the doctor and time, your details, and confirmation. You choose in person at Neutral Bay, Zoom or phone. A card is added to confirm the booking. Nothing is charged upfront. Your confirmation email carries the link to the new-patient questionnaire. Sundays are not available. Existing patients book review appointments online too. If you would like to see the fees first, they are all on our consultation fees page.

Do I need a GP referral to see a doctor at Mojo Klinik?

No. You do not need a GP referral to book at Mojo Klinik. You can book a first appointment directly, online, with either Dr Maria Mackey or Dr Emmanuel Varipatis. If you have letters from your GP or your specialists, send them with your questionnaire before the appointment. They are read before you arrive, along with your recent results. That way the hour goes on your story, not on finding the paperwork. Everything to send, and when, is on what happens in your first appointment . When you are ready, book online .

Which doctor do I book with?

Both doctors at Mojo Klinik see patients with complex, long-standing health concerns. If you are unsure which doctor suits your concern, call reception on (02) 9133 8500 and the team will help you choose. As a guide, Dr Mackey is usually the first booking for hormones, perimenopause and menopause, thyroid, gut concerns, insulin resistance and burnout. Dr Varipatis is usually the first booking for chronic infections, post-viral fatigue and Long COVID, heavy metals, IV therapy, and integrative supportive care during cancer treatment. Both doctors see chronic fatigue. If you are having cancer treatment, book the one-hour New Patient Appointment with Dr Varipatis. Supportive care at Mojo Klinik runs in parallel with your oncology care, never instead of it. Each page on our conditions hub lists the ways to start. You can read more about Dr Maria Mackey and Dr Emmanuel Varipatis .

Can my first appointment be by telehealth?

Yes. A first appointment at Mojo Klinik can be by Zoom or phone, from anywhere in Australia. In person at Neutral Bay is strongly recommended for a first visit, because a new-patient appointment by telehealth carries no Medicare rebate. In person, it does. Once you have been seen in person, Zoom and phone follow-ups attract a Medicare rebate for the next 12 months, as long as you and your doctor are both in Australia. For patients who live some distance away, that means one trip to Neutral Bay, then reviews from home for the next 12 months. It is your responsibility to check you are eligible for a Medicare rebate before booking a telehealth appointment. IV appointments are in person only. Telehealth fees and rebate rules are on our consultation fees page, and directions are on find us .

Is Mojo Klinik taking new patients?

Yes. Both doctors at Mojo Klinik, Dr Maria Mackey and Dr Emmanuel Varipatis, are taking new patients. The live calendar in our online booking system shows current availability for each doctor, by day and by appointment type. New-patient appointments are booked online only. Choose the doctor first, then the date and the time that suit you.

How much does a first appointment cost?

First appointments at Mojo Klinik range from $240 to $650 in person, depending on the doctor, the appointment type and its length. Most new patients book the one-hour Mojo New Patient Appointment, which is $480 to $490 in person. Shorter first appointments, such as the 30-minute IV Therapy Initial Assessment and the Hormone and Gut Assessments, are available for some concerns. Most telehealth appointments, by Zoom or phone, have a higher fee than in person. All appointments are privately billed. Eligible appointments attract a Medicare rebate, explained below. Every appointment type and fee, for both doctors, is on our consultation fees page. When you are ready, book online .

How much does a follow-up appointment cost?

Follow-up appointments at Mojo Klinik range from $120 to $490 in person, depending on the doctor and the length of the appointment, from 15 minutes to one hour. Your doctor will advise which length suits what there is to review. Most telehealth follow-ups, by Zoom or phone, have a higher fee than in person. Eligible follow-ups attract a Medicare rebate, including by Zoom or phone once you have been seen in person in the last 12 months. Every appointment type and fee is on our consultation fees page.

Is there a Medicare rebate, do you bulk bill, and does private health insurance cover appointments?

Mojo Klinik does not bulk bill. Appointments are privately billed, and eligible appointments attract a Medicare rebate. The rebate depends on the length of the appointment, and whether it is in person, by Zoom or by phone. In person, most appointments attract a rebate of $45.05 to $128.35, depending on length. A new-patient appointment by telehealth carries no rebate. After an in-person visit, Zoom and phone follow-ups are rebated for 12 months, with both you and your doctor in Australia. The Heavy Metal Initial Appointment is privately billed, with no Medicare rebate. Phone and Zoom appointments cost the same, and they are not rebated the same. A phone appointment at Mojo Klinik is rebated at the level of a 15-minute Short Consultation, however long the appointment runs. An eligible Zoom appointment is rebated at the full level for its length. For that reason, we recommend Zoom over phone for telehealth appointments. For private health insurance, check with your fund. Whether your fund contributes to any part of your care depends on your fund and your level of cover. It helps to tell them the appointment type and whether it is in person or by telehealth. After you pay, the rebate is deposited into your nominated bank account. This needs Medicare Online set up. Allow up to 3 business days. Patients who have reached the Medicare Safety Net may receive more. Rebate amounts can change. Details are on our consultation fees page.

Why is the first appointment an hour, and why does it cost more than a standard GP visit?

The first appointment at Mojo Klinik runs for an hour because it covers your whole history, your previous results, and the thinking about what is driving your symptoms. The fee reflects all of the doctor’s time on your care, before, during and after the hour in the room. That time includes reading your questionnaire and results before you arrive, the consultation itself, and the documentation that follows, such as pathology requests and referrals. Dr Maria Mackey puts it this way: “Most people have left it a lifetime to see someone about their health vs an illness. An hour is a drop in the bucket compared to your life.” It is a different kind of appointment, not a longer version of the usual one. More on the hour is on what happens in your first appointment and our approach .

How much do tests cost, and does Medicare cover them?

It depends on which tests are recommended for you. Some tests are covered by Medicare. Others, including many functional and specialised tests, are not, and the laboratory bills them privately. That is normal for those tests, and not a billing error. Tests at Mojo Klinik are chosen for your specific picture, only where they are clinically indicated. There is no standard panel that every patient has. Tests are carried out by external laboratories, not at Mojo Klinik, and the cost of any privately billed test is explained before you agree to it. If you need a pathology form outside an appointment, a fee applies. The kinds of tests the doctors may use are described on our approach , and appointment fees are on our consultation fees page.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel or reschedule a Mojo Klinik appointment free of charge with at least 48 hours’ notice. With less than 48 hours’ notice, or if you do not attend, 50% of the appointment fee is charged to the card added at booking. The card is not charged when you book. It is only used under this policy. You will receive an SMS reminder before your appointment. Reply “Yes” to confirm. An appointment that is not confirmed may be released. To cancel or reschedule, call reception on (02) 9133 8500 or email reception@mojoklinik.com. The full terms are on our consultation fees page and in our terms of use .

What other fees might apply?

Paperwork requested outside an appointment carries a fixed fee at Mojo Klinik. This covers scripts, pathology forms, referrals and letters, and medical records transfers. No scripts or paperwork are released until the related appointment is paid in full. Appointments that run over the scheduled time are charged pro rata. So is a very large volume of results to review, because the reading time adds to the consultation. There is no fee to book. The card added at booking is only charged under the cancellation policy . The complete fee list is on our consultation fees page.

What do I need to do before my first appointment?

Before your first Mojo Klinik appointment, complete the new-patient questionnaire and send your recent results. Both need to reach us at least 3 days before the appointment, so your doctor has time to read them. The questionnaire link arrives in your confirmation email. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Send with it: recent test results hospital discharge papers and specialist letters anything else you consider relevant You can reply to the confirmation email with your results attached. Before the day, you will receive an SMS reminder. Reply “Yes” to confirm, or the appointment may be released. The full checklist is on what happens in your first appointment .

Do I need to send all my previous test results?

Send your recent and relevant results, not everything you have ever had done. They are read before your Mojo Klinik appointment, so the hour goes on your story. A very large volume of results adds reading time, and that time is charged pro rata. If you are unsure what is relevant, send the most recent and let your doctor ask for more. Dr Maria Mackey explains why previous results matter, and why they are only the beginning: “Read the whole timeline, not just the last six months.” How to send them is on what happens in your first appointment .

Where is Mojo Klinik, and where do I park?

Mojo Klinik is at Suite 11, 40 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089. The entrance is not through the Yeo Street foyer. It is on the ground floor, at the corner of Barry Street and May Lane. The Barry Street Council Car Park is the closest option, with 2 hours free. There is metered street parking nearby, and an accessible metered bay directly at the Barry Street entrance. By bus, the clinic is about a 5-minute walk from the B-Line stop on Military Road. There are six steps with handrails at the entrance. A portable ramp is available, so call ahead on (02) 9133 8500 and reception will have it ready. The bathroom has one step and is not wheelchair accessible. Maps and more transport options are on find us .

What are your opening hours?

Mojo Klinik is open Monday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00am to 6:00pm, Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. The clinic is closed on weekends and NSW public holidays. New-patient appointments are booked online through our booking system . For general enquiries, call (02) 9133 8500 during opening hours. Outside those hours the phone goes to voicemail. In an emergency, call 000. Directions are on find us .

What happens in the first appointment?

Your first Mojo Klinik appointment is one hour with your doctor. It covers a comprehensive history, a review of your previous results, an examination where it is indicated, and the work of identifying the likely drivers behind your symptoms. Testing, where it is indicated, is organised after the appointment. Your plan is built at a follow-up, once those results are back. You will not leave with a complete diagnosis on day one. That is by design. Dr Maria Mackey describes the purpose of the hour: “Ask the questions and listen, listen, listen. Test before you treat.” More detail is on what happens in your first appointment . When you are ready, book online .

How long before I have a treatment plan?

Your treatment plan at Mojo Klinik is built at your follow-up appointment, once your test results are back. The first appointment gathers the history. The follow-up is where the findings are explained and the plan is set out. The follow-up is usually a Standard Consultation (30 minutes) or a Functional Consultation (45 minutes), depending on how much there is to review. Your doctor will advise which one suits your results. The timing depends on which tests are organised and how long each laboratory takes to report. Fees for both appointment types are on our consultation fees page. What happens in the first hour is on what happens in your first appointment .

Will I still see my own GP?

Yes. Keep your GP. Mojo Klinik runs in parallel with your GP and any specialists you see, not instead of them. You do not need a referral from your GP to book with us. Dr Maria Mackey puts it simply: “We love for your GP to remain yours. We want you to have the best medical care, your personal A team.” Mojo Klinik does not replace specialist care. Your GP continues their work, and we do ours: a full first hour, a wider history, and investigation matched to your picture. The two run in parallel. How our approach differs from standard care is set out on our approach .

Can I get a prescription, or a specific treatment, before I’ve been assessed?

No. At Mojo Klinik, every prescription and treatment is considered only after a full assessment, and only where it is clinically appropriate for you. We are not able to confirm a specific treatment or prescription before your appointment. If you are already on a regimen, set it out in your new-patient questionnaire. Your doctor reads it before you arrive, and there is time to go through it in detail at the appointment. Repeat scripts without a consultation are for existing patients only, and a fee applies. Mojo Klinik does not provide quick repeat scripts with no investigation behind them. To start, book a first appointment . What to prepare is on what happens in your first appointment .

My test results keep coming back normal, and I still don’t feel normal. Can Mojo Klinik help?

Most patients at Mojo Klinik arrive having been told their results are normal. A normal result rules some things out. It does not always explain how you feel. Our doctors look for the mechanism behind your symptoms, not another label for them. Dr Maria Mackey built the clinic for exactly this: “People whose test results keep coming back normal, while their life doesn’t feel normal, come to me at Mojo Klinik to find the biological reason their mojo went missing, and to get it back.” In practice, that means a full history, a review of what has already been tested, and testing beyond the standard panel where it is clinically indicated. Read more on our approach and the conditions we see . When you are ready, book online .

What conditions do Mojo Klinik’s doctors see?

Mojo Klinik’s doctors see patients with complex and long-standing health concerns. Eleven conditions have their own page: IBS and SIBO Chronic bloating and leaky gut Perimenopause and menopause Hormone imbalance Thyroid dysfunction and Hashimoto’s Chronic fatigue and ME/CFS Post-viral fatigue and Long COVID Adrenal fatigue, HPA dysfunction and burnout Chronic infections Heavy metal toxicity Insulin resistance and metabolic health The doctors also see a wider range of concerns, listed under “Other conditions we work with” on our conditions hub . Some conditions, including cancer, are seen for supportive care only, while conventional treatment continues. We do not offer integrative medicine as an alternative to conventional treatment for serious disease.

Yes. Both doctors at Mojo Klinik see men as well as women. Male hormones, metabolic health and insulin resistance, fatigue, gut concerns and chronic infections such as prostatitis are all part of the work. Men who look after everything except themselves, the car, the house, the business, the family, come to Mojo Klinik for a proper look under the bonnet, so they can keep doing the things they have been putting first. The first appointment is the same one-hour New Patient Appointment. Read more on hormone imbalance and insulin resistance , or book online .

Yes. Mojo Klinik’s doctors see children and teenagers for a range of concerns. Children are affected by many of the same conditions as adults, and many of the conditions on our conditions list are seen in children, such as gut concerns, fatigue, chronic infections and heavy metal exposure. The approach is the same as for adults: a full history, a review of previous results, and testing only where it is clinically indicated. If you are unsure which doctor suits your child’s concern, call reception on (02) 9133 8500. When you book online for a child or teenager, choose “for someone else” in the first step of our booking system .

How is Mojo Klinik different from seeing my GP?

A Mojo Klinik appointment is longer, starts from a wider history, and looks for the mechanism behind your symptoms. Testing goes beyond a standard panel where it is clinically indicated. It is a different kind of appointment, not a replacement for general practice. General practice does essential work, and your GP stays your GP. Dr Maria Mackey is herself a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). What Mojo Klinik adds is time: a first appointment of a full hour, a review of everything already tested, and a plan built from your results at follow-up. Our approach page sets out the differences side by side, from appointment length to follow-up.

Are Mojo Klinik’s doctors medically qualified and registered?

Yes. Both doctors at Mojo Klinik are registered medical practitioners (general registration) with AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Their registration can be checked on the public register of practitioners . Dr Maria Mackey , MBChB (Otago, 1993) FRACGP FAARM Dip Hom. AHPRA MED0000954798. In continuous Australian practice since 1994. Dr Emmanuel Varipatis , MBBS (UNSW, 1979) FACNEM FASLM. AHPRA MED0001051335. In private practice since 1984. Full qualifications, fellowships and training are on each doctor’s page.

What is integrative and functional medicine at Mojo Klinik?

At Mojo Klinik, integrative and functional medicine is doctor-led medicine that looks for the underlying mechanism behind your symptoms. Our doctors draw on four disciplines: functional, integrative, nutritional and environmental medicine. Conventional medicine is part of it, not opposed to it. Dr Maria Mackey puts the thinking simply: “Tired isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a symptom. And a symptom is a question, not an answer.” A label tells you what to call your problem. A mechanism tells you what to do about it. That idea runs through every appointment. The four disciplines, and how they compare with standard care, are on our approach .

What kinds of tests might the doctors use?

Mojo Klinik’s doctors use tests from four categories, and only where they are clinically indicated for you. There is no standard panel that every patient has. The categories are hormonal and metabolic, gut and microbiome, environmental and toxicology, and functional and nutrient testing. Examples include a full thyroid panel and fasting insulin, SIBO breath testing, provoked urine testing for heavy metals, and markers of nutrient status and inflammation. Which tests, if any, is decided at your appointment, from your history and your previous results. More on each category is on our approach . Breath testing is explained on IBS and SIBO , and provoked urine testing on heavy metal toxicity .

Do you offer IV therapy, and can I book one directly?

Yes, Mojo Klinik offers IV therapy as a medical service. There is no walk-in drip service. Every IV starts with an IV Therapy Initial Assessment with Dr Emmanuel Varipatis, 30 minutes, in person or by Zoom. The in-person assessment attracts a Medicare rebate. Fees are on our consultation fees page. The assessment is where your doctor decides whether IV therapy is clinically appropriate for you. If you have a complex medical history (such as cancer), book the one-hour New Patient Appointment with Dr Varipatis instead. If IV therapy is suitable, the treatment is prescribed for you and priced at the assessment. IV treatment carries no Medicare rebate. Dr Maria Mackey puts it plainly: “IVs have a time and a place. It isn’t a drip on demand.” IV therapy is doctor-directed and nurse-administered, in person only, at Neutral Bay. The pathway is explained on IV therapy . To start, book online .

Do you offer medically supervised weight management?

Yes. Mojo Klinik offers medically supervised weight management with Dr Emmanuel Varipatis. It starts with investigation. The drivers that affect weight, such as thyroid, hormones, metabolism, blood sugar, sleep and gut, are assessed before any plan is built. The plan runs under medical supervision from start to finish, with monthly review consultations, nutrition individualised to you, and prescription where it is clinically appropriate. It is not a questionnaire-and-script service. Appointments are billed per the consultation fee schedule, with no separate programme fee. Your GP stays your GP throughout. To start, book a New Patient Appointment with Dr Varipatis through our booking system . You can read more about Dr Emmanuel Varipatis .

Does Mojo Klinik offer cosmetic treatments?

Yes, through our sister clinic. Mojo Cosmetic Clinic is a doctor-led regenerative aesthetic medicine clinic at the same Neutral Bay address. Mojo Klinik itself is an integrative and functional medicine clinic, and the two are booked separately. Dr Maria Mackey, MBChB FRACGP FAARM Dip Hom, registered medical practitioner (general registration, AHPRA MED0000954798), is Head of Regenerative Cosmetics and performs every doctor-led treatment there. Doctor-led treatments, such as PRP, Aptos Thread Lifting and cosmetic injectables, start with a consultation with her, where she assesses whether a treatment is clinically appropriate for you. PRP is made from your own blood, drawn by Dr Mackey at the same appointment. Skin treatments, such as skin needling, clinical peels, SQT Bio-Microneedling and Buccal Sculpt and Release, are carried out by the clinic’s beauty therapist under clinical oversight. We also offer ONDA Body and Facial Contouring, a targeted treatment for stubborn fat reduction, cellulite smoothing and skin tightening. The two clinics can be used together or separately. Neither requires the other. The treatment menu, and how to book, are on the Mojo Cosmetic Clinic website .

Mojo Klinik / Conditions Hub

How to Find the Root Cause of Fatigue: 2026 Guide

What You’ll Need Before You Start Investigating Fatigue
What Is Fatigue, and How Is It Different From Tiredness?
- The Five Ps of Fatigue
Step 1: Track Your Symptoms to Find the Root Cause of Fatigue
Step 2: Review Lifestyle Factors, Sleep and Mental Health
- Managing Morning Fatigue When You Wake Up Drained
Step 3: Blood Tests for Fatigue and What They Can Show
- Why Blood Work Often Comes Back Normal
Step 4: Investigating Unexplained Fatigue With a Differential Diagnosis
Step 5: Screen Your Medications and Post-Viral Recovery
Common Mistakes When You Try to Find the Root Cause of Fatigue
Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 16, 2026

What You’ll Need Before You Start Investigating Fatigue

Fatigue is not one thing. It is a signal, and like the warning light on a car dashboard, it tells you something is off without telling you what. Learning how to find root cause of fatigue starts with preparation, not guesswork. At Mojo Klinik, we see people every week who have been told their bloods are normal while they feel anything but. Before you begin, gather three things: a symptom diary, a list of every medication and supplement you take, and copies of your recent pathology results. That paperwork is your starting point, and it often holds the clue everyone missed.

Pro Tip
Photograph your supplement labels and keep them in one folder on your phone. Patients regularly forget the exact names and doses when asked, and those details change what we look for.

What Is Fatigue, and How Is It Different From Tiredness?

Tiredness is a normal response to effort. It eases with rest, a good night’s sleep, or a quiet weekend. Fatigue is different. It is persistent, it does not lift with rest, and it interferes with daily life. The healthdirect guide to fatigue describes fatigue as ongoing exhaustion that affects your ability to function, which is a useful distinction to hold onto.

The Five Ps of Fatigue

When we assess fatigue, we look at five areas. Think of it as checking five rooms in a house rather than staring at one locked door.

Physical: thyroid function, anaemia, blood sugar, heart and lung health
Psychological: depression, anxiety, burnout, unprocessed grief
Pharmacological: medication side effects, interactions, supplement doses
Post-viral: lingering fatigue after an infection
Pattern: when it hits, how long it lasts, what makes it worse

Most people arrive having only explored the first.

Step 1: Track Your Symptoms to Find the Root Cause of Fatigue

Tracking is the single most useful thing you can do before any appointment. A symptom diary turns vague complaints into a pattern a doctor can read. Most people arrive at a consultation with a memory of feeling awful and very little else. Memory is a poor witness. It keeps the worst days and forgets the ordinary ones, so the story you tell can be months out of shape.

Infographic showing a process for tracking daily symptoms to identify the root cause of fatigue while having tea.

You do not need an app or a spreadsheet. A small notebook and a pen beside the kettle will do. Two weeks of honest notes beats six months of trying to remember.

How to Keep a Symptom Diary That Actually Helps

Keep it simple enough that you will actually do it. The version that gets filled in every day is worth more than the perfect version that gets abandoned by Wednesday.

Record these six things each day:

Sleep: the time you went to bed, the time you woke, and roughly how many times you woke overnight
Energy: a score out of ten at three points, morning, midday and evening
Food: meal times and anything unusual, such as a late heavy meal or a skipped lunch
Caffeine and alcohol: how much, and when the last one was
Stress: a score out of ten, plus one word for what drove it
Movement: what you did and how you felt an hour afterwards, not during

Do not interpret. Just record. The pattern often speaks for itself, and it gives your doctor something concrete to work with.

What Patterns Should You Look For in a Fatigue Diary?

After about two weeks, read your notes back in one sitting. You are looking for shapes, not single bad days. A few patterns come up again and again.

Post-exertional crashes. You feel reasonable during activity and flattened the next day. That delay is a clue worth naming.
Morning versus evening fatigue. Waking drained points one way. Fading hard by mid-afternoon points another.
Weekend recovery. If you only feel human on days off, your load during the week may be the driver.
Food-linked dips. A slump ninety minutes after a high-carbohydrate lunch is a common pattern worth flagging.
Cycle-linked changes. If you menstruate, note where you are in your cycle. Fatigue that tracks with your period is useful information.

The Traffic Light Method for Your Diary

A simple colour code saves time and makes the diary readable at a glance. Mark each day green, amber or red.

Green: you did what you planned and felt steady
Amber: you got through the day by cutting something back
Red: you cancelled plans, went back to bed, or could not function

At the end of two weeks, count the reds. Three or more red days in a fortnight is a pattern worth investigating properly. One red day after a terrible night’s sleep is not.

How to Prepare Your Diary for a Doctor’s Appointment

A diary is only useful if it can be read in the few minutes a consultation allows. Before your appointment, write a one-page summary on top of the raw notes.

What Happens at My First Appointment? →

Your three worst symptoms, in your own words
How many red days in the last fortnight
When the fatigue started, and whether it came on suddenly or crept in
What you have already tried, and what changed
Your top three questions

Key Takeaway
Two weeks of daily notes, scored simply and summarised on one page, gives your doctor more to work with than any single blood test. The diary is not busywork. It is the history that shapes which tests get ordered and which causes get considered first.

Step 2: Review Lifestyle Factors, Sleep and Mental Health

Lifestyle sits underneath most fatigue, even when a medical cause is also present.

Managing Morning Fatigue When You Wake Up Drained

Waking unrefreshed is one of the most common complaints we hear.

Step 3: Blood Tests for Fatigue and What They Can Show

Blood tests for fatigue are a starting point, not a finish line.

Why Blood Work Often Comes Back Normal

Normal results do not mean nothing is wrong.

Step 4: Investigating Unexplained Fatigue With a Differential Diagnosis

Possible Cause	Typical Clue	Usual Next Step
Anaemia or low iron	Breathlessness, pallor, heavy periods	Iron studies, full blood count
Hypothyroidism	Cold intolerance, weight change, dry skin	Thyroid function panel
Sleep apnoea	Snoring, waking gasping, daytime drowsiness	Sleep study referral
Diabetes or prediabetes	Thirst, central weight gain, blurred vision	Glucose and HbA1c
Mood disorder	Loss of interest, poor sleep, low motivation	Mental health assessment
Medication side effect	Fatigue starting after a new drug	Medication review

Step 5: Screen Your Medications and Post-Viral Recovery

Two causes get missed more than any others: medications and post-viral fatigue.

Could Your Medication Be Causing Your Fatigue?

Work through this checklist before your appointment:

List everything. Prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs and powders. Include the dose and how long you have taken each one.
Note the start date. Write down when each item began. If your fatigue started within a few weeks of a new medicine or a dose increase, that timing matters.
Check for recent changes. A new drug, a higher dose, a switched brand or a stopped medicine can all shift how you feel.
Look at combinations. Some medicines interact in ways that increase drowsiness or drain energy. A pharmacist can review this for you.
Do not stop anything on your own. Never cease a prescribed medicine without speaking to the prescriber first. Some need to be reduced slowly.

How Do You Know If It Is Post-Viral Fatigue?

Post-viral fatigue is the lingering exhaustion that follows an infection.

When Post-Viral Fatigue Needs Proper Assessment

Watch Out
If you have chest pain, breathlessness at rest, fainting or unexplained weight loss alongside your fatigue, seek urgent medical care rather than working through this checklist.

Key Takeaway
Medication side effects and post-viral fatigue are the two root causes most often missed, because neither shows up on a standard blood panel. Bring a full medication list with start dates, and treat post-viral fatigue with pacing rather than pressure.

Common Mistakes When You Try to Find the Root Cause of Fatigue

The biggest mistake is stopping at “normal tests.” The second is chasing one cause when several are usually at play.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do doctors investigate the root cause of persistent fatigue?

A doctor starts with your medical history, a physical examination and pathology testing such as full blood count, iron studies, thyroid function and blood glucose. If those results are normal, the investigation continues with a symptom diary, sleep review, mental health screening and sometimes a differential diagnosis approach that rules conditions in or out one by one. The goal is a structured search for the root cause of fatigue rather than a single test.

Why do blood tests for fatigue often come back normal?

Standard blood work checks common causes such as anaemia, hypothyroidism and diabetes, and it does that well. It does not measure everything. Sleep apnea, psychosocial stress, burnout, medication side effects and post-viral fatigue can all cause persistent fatigue while routine results sit inside the reference range. That gap is why some people are told their tests are fine while still feeling exhausted, and why a longer clinical assessment can help.

What is the difference between tiredness and clinical fatigue?

Tiredness eases after rest, a good night of sleep or a quieter week. Clinical fatigue is persistent, lasts weeks or longer, and does not lift with rest. It often comes with lethargy, poor concentration, malaise or low mood. If your energy levels have stayed low for more than a few weeks, or managing morning fatigue has become a daily struggle, that pattern is worth investigating with a doctor.

When should I see a doctor about investigating unexplained fatigue?

Book an appointment if fatigue lasts more than two to four weeks, keeps worsening, or affects your work and relationships. See a doctor sooner if you have red flag symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. A clinical assessment can arrange blood work and decide whether other tests, such as a sleep study, are needed.

What Happens at My First Appointment?