goodbloodsIs it worth seeing a doctor about being tired all the time?
Usually, yes, once it has gone on for a few weeks. Tiredness has a long list of possible causes: sleep that's too short or keeps breaking, shift work, a new baby, stress, low mood, and medical causes such as iron deficiency, thyroid problems or sleep apnoea. Often it's more than one thing at once.
Nobody can tell which from a quiz, including us. That's what the consult is for: a doctor taking “I just don't feel right” seriously instead of filing it under stress.
What happens in the $59 sleep and energy consult?
- You fill in a health history in the patient portal: your sleep, your work hours, how long this has been going on, your medicines and supplements, and what you want from the visit.
- You meet a registered doctor by video, booked as 15 minutes. They'll ask about your nights, your days and anything that doesn't add up.
- You get a written plan, so you're not trying to remember it all at 2am.
If the doctor thinks you need to be seen in person, they'll tell you and say who to see.
What might the plan include?
It depends on what the doctor finds, which is the honest answer. A plan might include:
- habits worth changing first, such as a regular wake time and morning light
- a blood test request to look into causes of tiredness, billed by the lab
- a referral for a sleep study, if the doctor suspects a sleep disorder
- our six-week sleep program between visits
- a referral to your GP or a specialist
Treatment only if your doctor decides it is right for you.
What is the six-week sleep program?
If your plan includes it, you get a short lesson each day for six weeks, a sleep diary to track what you actually do (bedtime, wake time, caffeine, screens, light), and a self-check every two weeks so you and your doctor can see what's changing. It tracks habits, not you. It gives no medical advice and no scores.
When shouldn't I wait for a video consult?
Call 000 for chest pain, trouble breathing, or if you think you're in danger. For thoughts of self-harm, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you've fallen asleep while driving, stop driving and see a GP soon. A video consult isn't the right place for any of these.
Which option suits what you're noticing?
| what you're noticing | where to start |
|---|---|
| Tired most days for weeks, sleeping badly, or both | Doctor consult, $59 |
| Not sure whether it's a sleep problem at all | The sleep self-check, then a consult if you want one |
| Shift work or a new baby wrecking your sleep | Doctor consult, $59 |
| Someone says you snore loudly or stop breathing in your sleep | Doctor consult, $59; the doctor may refer you for a sleep study |
| Chest pain, trouble breathing, thoughts of self-harm | 000 now |
| Under 18 | A GP |
Before you book
- Do I need a referral?
- No.
- What does it cost?
- $59 for the consult. Lab fees, if any, are billed by the lab.
- Is it bulk billed?
- No. Plan on paying the full $59.
- When are consults?
- Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00.
- What if it's not for me?
- [refund line]
- Will I get a prescription?
- Only if your doctor decides it is right for you.
What do people ask after months of "just tired"?
Fair question: is $59 enough time to sort out my sleep?
It's enough time for a doctor to understand what's going on, decide what's worth checking and write a plan. Sleep rarely changes in one visit. A follow-up is $59 if you need one.
I work nights. Can you still help?
Yes, shift work is one of the things the doctor will want to hear about. Consults run Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, so pick a slot that sits outside your sleep.
Will you just tell me to drink less coffee?
Maybe, if coffee's part of it. But the doctor also looks for medical causes of tiredness, which is why blood tests or a sleep study referral can be part of the plan.
Do I need a blood test?
Not always. The doctor decides whether one is worth doing. If so, you get a pathology request and the lab bills the core tests.
I'm pregnant or breastfeeding and exhausted. Can I book?
Tell us in the check. A person on the care team looks at that answer before booking goes ahead, and your own GP or midwife may be the better first call.
Where does this information come from?
- Adams RJ, Appleton SL, Taylor AW, et al. Sleep health of Australian adults in 2016: results of the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation national survey. Sleep Health. 2017;3(1):35–42.
- Sleep Health Foundation. Sleep fact sheets. sleephealthfoundation.org.au
- Medical Board of Australia. Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients. Effective 1 September 2023. medicalboard.gov.au
General information, the doctor decides.