From all my research i have come to the conclusion that CFS just presents itself as all the classic symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (addisons disease) or secondary adrenal insufficency and yet the cortisol levels on blood tests are shown to be normal. Likely due to the blood draw elevating cortisol levels falsely from the stress of the prick. Also due to reduced bioactivity of the cortisol in the body of the patient (they could have high levels in the blood yet low levels in the cells or the cells aren't responding properly). Finally if the patient is sitting around most of the time then going to the doctors to do a blood test the cortisol level will be normal, yet if they attempt normal feats of exersion like regular people (work, exercise etc...) their cortisol drops and they feel terrible.

What could have happened which i highly likely (and i believe this happened to myself also) The CFS is viral. In fact, most CFS patients report abrupt onset of "flu-like" symptoms. However, considering that thus far no single causative virus has been found in CFS patients, I believe that some virus does trigger CFS, by damaging irreparably the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but within a few days it goes away. Once damaged, the HPA axis causes both hypocortisolism and mineralocorticoid insufficiency, which accounts for all the physical and the neuropsychological complaints of CFS.

Whoever has CFS and FM should read this article by Dr David Wms it is absolutely excellent. Once you read it you can look into a doctor who would be willing to administer Hydrocortisone, DHEA. As well as looking to use supplements such as licorice and Resveratrol (resveratrol is a potent inhibitor of excess Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite free radicals). If you can't you can always self-treat i know i am.



to read more please follow this link
http://www.newtreatments.org/Adrenals/ga/123

Thank you so very much for the information. It explains alot how when the body is out of kilter on one level many things go wrong. Any more information is greatly appreciated. Especially about low adrenals:

No problems, happy to help out. I think a lot of people with CFS can simply recover with Hydrocortisone therapy similar to that of someone who has adrenal insufficiency. Dosing around 15-25mg per day.

Their is also the issue of low thyroid and low adrenals and both need to be balanced out for your chronic fatigue to be alleviated. If you are low thyroid and take thyroid medication but you have low cortisol you will still feel like crap or probably even worse as the thyroid hormone will further put the stress on the adrenal glands.

Think of it this way your metabolism controls your energy and your body temperature is a good indicator of your metabolism. Ideally you want to have temps of 98.6F or 36.8C this is the most optimal body temperature. Low temperatures signal thyroid/adrenal problems.

If your body was a car the thyroid is like the accelerator of the vehicle allowing it to increase in speed. So say for example you find out you are hypothyroid in a blood test and take thyroid hormone. You do so, you are well for a little bit while your adrenals can handle the increased stress. Think of the adrenals as the gear shift allowing your body to adapt to the increase in thyroid hormone. If you try to accelerate (thyroid) but your gear shift isn't working (adrenals) your cannot possibly expect your car to function now can you. One without the other simply doesn't work and your body is left in 1st gear.

I recommend measuring body temperature 3x throughout the day. Upon awakening, afternoon and evening then getting the average of these temperatures and comparing them to other days. If their are large fluctuations in temperatures more than .2 you have adrenal problems. Low temperatures are indicative of thyroid problems. Low and fluctuating temps are indicative that you have both problems occuring in your body.

Finally regarding cortisol it actually fights infections. So if someone's CFS is being causing by a virus which is subsequently causing low cortisol. Hydrocortisone therapy can help the person recover.


I recommend a 24hour cortisol saliva test for anyone with CFS/FM.

http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/ind...nav=doc&id=159

As well as thyroid function blood testing:

Free T4
Free T3
AND
Total T4
Total T3
T.S.H.
Thyroid Antibodies
Reverse T3

Regarding thyroid their is also the issue of low iodine. So a iodine urine test can be done from genova diagnostics. Or you can simply try a concentrated form of iodine called lugol's solution. If you take thyroid hormone and have low iodine you will remain hypothyroid because the body requires iodine to make thyroid hormones.

Good luck on your journey to wellness everyone. Take it from me i know, these issues will ruin your life but their are things which can be done to get your life back.

Hi MetalMX,

Having just read your first posting in this thread and your comment "considering that thus far no single causative virus has been found in CFS patients" I was wondering if you had read any of the latest - albeit initial research which has been published on the discovery of the retrovirus MXRV which has been found in the plasma of 65% of CFS patients and antibodies to MXRV in 95% of CFS patients?

I know and I reiterate that many more studies need to be reproduced globally to confirm or refute these initial findings but it is an exciting possibility especially if a causal link can be found between this retrovirus and CFS and even FMS.

I appreciate this article so much because it has been suggested to me that my adrenals are not working from a holistic healer. I read all the symptoms of it, and it described me to a T!! Ordered some supplements last week (pantothenic acid, licorice, pregnonlone....) and was told it could take about 6 months to feel better. After suffering for years, what's 6 more months!!!

Licorice extract (not the DGL version) can raise blood pressure and interfere with electrolytes in the kidney. Be careful with it!

Thanks so much for your input about the licorice. The fact that it raises blood pressure is actually a GOOD thing for me, because my blood pressure gets really low. So low, in fact, I've even drank glasses of water with salt in a desperate attempt to raise it.

Vanna

Thanks for the link the information is a lot to take in at one time,thanks again for your info