The Silent Symptoms You Shouldn’t ignore

Some of the most important health conditions we diagnose in general practice don’t announce themselves dramatically. Instead, they begin with subtle, non-specific changes that are easy to overlook. Recognising these early can make a real difference to long-term health outcomes.

Persistent fatigue

Tiredness is one of the most common symptoms we see, but if it is persistent or unexplained and doesn’t resolve with rest or lifestyle changes, it warrants closer attention. Common underlying causes include:

• Anaemia: Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anaemia worldwide, particularly in menstruating women, who are losing blood monthly. In the UK, studies estimate that around 20–25% of women of reproductive age have iron deficiency anaemia. Even mild anaemia can impair concentration, reduce exercise tolerance, and lower mood.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: Often underdiagnosed, this can present with fatigue, tingling, or subtle memory changes.
• Thyroid disease: An underactive thyroid affects around 2% of the UK population, with fatigue often being the first noticeable symptom.
• Hormonal changes: Perimenopause, menopause, and other fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone can significantly affect energy, sleep quality, and mood.
• Sleep disorders: Sleep apnoea, increasingly recognised in both men and women, is associated with cardiovascular risk and daytime fatigue.

Increased thirst or urination

Needing to drink more water or pass urine more frequently can be an early indicator of type 2 diabetes. Alarmingly, data suggests that up to half of patients have signs of eye, kidney, or nerve complications by the time diabetes is diagnosed. Early recognition allows intervention before permanent damage occurs.

Shortness of breath on mild exertion

Becoming more breathless than expected when climbing stairs or walking briskly should not be dismissed as simply “getting unfit or getting old”. Possible causes include:

• Cardiac disease: including early heart failure or blood pressure-related heart changes.
• Anaemia: Lower haemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery to tissues.
• Respiratory conditions: such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Studies show that patients presenting with otherwise unexplained exertional breathlessness have a significantly higher 5-year mortality compared with age-matched controls.

Easy bruising or bleeding

Recurrent bruises, nosebleeds, or gum bleeding can be related to conditions such as:

• Platelet or clotting abnormalities
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Less commonly, early haematological disorders
• Medication such as aspirin or anticoagulants

While occasional bruising is normal, persistent or unexplained changes should always be checked.

Unintentional weight change

• Weight loss: Losing more than 5% of body weight within 6–12 months without actively trying to is considered a red flag. It can signal thyroid disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal conditions, or, rarely, malignancy.
• Weight gain: Central weight gain is strongly associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Even modest increases can have long-term health implications.

Symptoms such as tiredness, thirst, breathlessness, or weight change are common and often benign but when they are persistent, unexplained, or progressive, they deserve attention. A consultation and targeted tests can provide reassurance in many cases, or identify conditions early when treatment is most effective.

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms and would like to discuss them with one of our doctors, please book an appointment online here  or call us on 0207 245 9333.