1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests.
- Small blood count – to exclude anemia (anemia).
- Electrolytes – calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium.
- Iron metabolism diagnostics
- Ferritin – if iron deficiency anemia is suspected [ferritin decreased = iron deficiency among others].
- Iron, transferrin, saturated transferrin [transferrin saturation: decreased = et al. iron deficiency]
- Glucose in serum; HbA1c (long-term blood glucose).
- Urea, creatinine, cystatin C or creatinine clearance if necessary.
- Thyroid parameters – TSH
- Vitamin B12, folic acid
Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate); rheumatoid factor (RF), CCP-AK (cyclic citrulline peptide antibodies) – for suspected rheumatoid arthritis.
- Pregnancy test (quantitative HCG) (increased incidence in pregnancy; cause of 50% of sleep disorders in pregnancy; possibly due to iron deficiency).
- L-dopa test – can be considered clinical evidence of RLS if there is a response.
