Feeling persistently drained is more than just inconvenient — it’s life-altering. If you’re dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the lack of answers about your condition is as frustrating as the constant tiredness.
Researchers have several theories about what triggers CFS. Viral infections, immune system disorders, diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, and pituitary disorders may be culprits.
However, the hormone imbalance-CFS link is one of the strongest working theories, and our specialists at The Endocrine Center in Houston, Texas, explain why.
Whether you call it chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), you’re dealing with a frustrating, debilitating condition. In addition to extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest, you may also have muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.
Diagnosis is tricky and usually emerges after an exclusion process, meaning we rule out other illnesses first. Treatments for chronic fatigue seek to manage symptoms — there’s no known cure.
Here’s what you need to know about the potential connection between a hormone imbalance and CFS.
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate your body’s vital functions, from mood to metabolism. Imbalanced hormones can cause various health issues, including fatigue, which is why researchers are focusing on these messengers and their relationship to CFS. Here’s what they discovered.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (think of this as a central hormonal pathway) regulates stress responses through cortisol production.
Studies show that people with CFS often have low cortisol levels. This condition, known as hypocortisolism, could cause chronic fatigue. Because cortisol helps you maintain energy and manage stress, a drop can cause or worsen fatigue and make it even more difficult to cope with stress.
Chronic stress and hormonal imbalances go hand in hand, each exacerbating the other. This destructive cycle tanks your cortisol levels, decreases your ability to handle stress, and triggers CFS symptoms.
The HPA axis isn’t the only CFS culprit. Thyroid hormones, which keep your metabolism running and stable, can also cause problems when they go haywire, including triggering or worsening your CFS symptoms.
Another potential hormone connection with CFS is neuroendocrine hypofunction, which simply means that you have reduced activity in the hormone-producing regions of your brain.
Researchers have noticed that some CFS patients have this condition and believe that the lack of adequate hormone production could contribute to persistent fatigue and other symptoms.
While some medical professionals suggest hormonal treatments for CFS, the evidence is mixed. Low-dose hydrocortisone may lessen your feeling of fatigue, but it could also suppress your adrenal glands.
Our specialists don’t recommend routine hormonal treatment for CFS, but we may use it to temporarily manage your symptoms, monitoring you closely.
We approach CFS treatment from several angles. While hormonal imbalances might play a role, lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and stress management techniques are also important.
Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend antidepressants, blood pressure medication, pain medication, or counseling to ease your discomfort and help you get back to feeling more like your pre-CFS self.
To learn more about chronic fatigue and hormonal health, call The Endocrine Center at any of our three Houston locations or request an appointment online.
