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There are no laboratory tests or imaging studies that can be used to diagnose
chronic fatigue syndrome. The diagnosis is primarily a diagnosis of
exclusion, which means that the doctor begins by ruling out some diseases
and disorders that have similar symptoms. These include disorders
that cause fatigue, such as sleep apnea or a thyroid disorder; medications
that may cause unusual tiredness; alcohol abuse; recurrence of cancer;
severe obesity; or a previous diagnosis of depression, schizophrenia, or
an eating disorder.
The CDC has defined two major criteria for CFS. The first criterion
is that the person must have severe fatigue for a period of at least six
months with other possible causes ruled out. The second criterion is
having four or more of the primary symptoms listed above.