Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-lasting illness that can last years or a lifetime. As the name implies, a person with CFS usually feels very tired, regardless of how much he or she rests. Physical and mental overactivity can worsen the symptoms. Symptoms vary and may include depression, muscle pain, difficulty concentrating and insomnia, despite feeling very tired. It’s not clear what causes it, but there are likely multiple reasons it develops, including stress, infection or immune disorders.
Traditional medicine doesn’t have an effective treatment for CFS, beyond antidepressants and pain relievers for symptom relief. There is still debate about the role of adrenals in this illness. Most integrative practitioners believe that the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is dysfunctional in CFS, despite argument from conservative medical doctors.
The three endocrine organs in HPA speak to each other and send signals to regulate hormones in response to stress. Adrenals pump out cortisol in response to stress, which provides a jolt of energy to get through the immediate perceived crisis. The stress can be emotional, physical, or even as simple as just waking from sleep mode.
There is research that supports the theory that excess stress on the HPA system can send adrenals into overdrive with cortisol excess. This can ultimately lead to adrenal fatigue, where cortisol production isn’t adequate, or isn’t regulated properly.
A study conducted in Britain looked at 56 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 35 healthy people to evaluate the differences in each groups’ cortisol levels. Participants completed questionnaires to rate their symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep habits, fatigue and more.
The study participants took saliva samples to measure cortisol levels five times in the first hour of being awake. Cortisol levels should be highest after wakening and should stay high for about an hour. If the adrenals aren’t strong, the cortisol spike won’t be as high as it should be and will drop sooner than it would in healthy adrenals.
Cortisol levels can be fairly accurately measured in the saliva, making it more convenient then needing a blood draw. In this study, at each testing point throughout the hour, the group of healthy volunteers had higher levels of cortisol than the CFS patients. At the 10 minute mark and the final measurement (at one hour) the CFS patients’ cortisol levels were significantly lower than the healthy volunteers.
This difference in cortisol patterns between healthy people and those with CFS helps confirm that the HPA axis is affected in CFS illness. It also helps explain some of the typical CFS symptoms that occur when adrenals don’t produce necessary levels of cortisol.
Botanical medicine and nutrients are a good way to support the adrenals. Adaptogenic herbs, such as ashwagandha, can be beneficial. Eleuthero, astragulus, and codonopsis can also be supportive. Adrenal fatigue can also can affect thyroid function, especially over time, so it’s often helpful to support both glands together.
Wondering if your adrenals might benefit from support? Complete this checklist.
Reference:
Salivary cortisol response to awakening in chronic fatigue syndrome. BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY (2004), 184, 136 – 141
Leave A Comment