Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment: Lowering Cortisol to Raise Cortisol?
NEWSBRIEF: In a recently published research article, scientists say that temporarily suppressing cortisol levels would cause the HPA axis (stress-response system) to produce more cortisol and correct HPA axis dysregulation in people with chronic fatigue syndrome - a condition marked by low cortisol levels.
The HPA axis is critical to homeostasis, which is the process your body uses to keep your internal environment as stable as possible, in spite of changes to your external environment. For example, homeostasis keeps your body temperature within normal parameters when you're exposed to cold or heat. However, when conditions are too extreme, your body cannot maintain homeostasis and you can become sick or die. HPA axis dysregulation in chronic fatigue syndrome is theorized to cause or contribute to many symptoms of the condition.
The researchers point out that this theory is counterintuitive and "challenges the conventional strategy of supplementing cortisol levels." However, they say that disrupting the HPA axis with cortisol suppression would get the system to produce more cortisol in order to restore homeostasis, and thereby normalize the HPA axis. They also mention a way that doctors could supress cortisol in a clinical setting.
Related Content: Definitions of Cortisol, HPA Axis
Comments
I have fibromyalgia, not CFS. I am getting my cortisol level re-checked because I had surgery for a rathke’s cleft cyst (on my pituitary gland – the “master gland” that controls hormone secretion). Previous tests yielded normal results, but I am so slow to react to things like: stressful news, loud and sudden sounds, anything which should cause strong emotions.
Strangely, when I do get even just a little angry or embarrassed, my cheeks turn bright red and I feel flushed and sometimes faint. This is incredibly visible to my co-workers and I never had that sort of reaction before. It doesn’t happen immediately, but it’s very intense when it occurs.
Adrienne, I would love to learn more about cortisol, what effects it has on the body when it’s too low or too high and how it is regulated.
Heather,
Basically, cortisol allows your body to deal with stress. Low levels are probably the reason we tend to become overwhelmed and are prone to anxiety and panic. Because cortisol is a steroid, supplementation comes with a sizable risk and that makes it fairly controversial.
Here’s more content on cortisol:
CDC Studies Cortisol in ME/CFS
Cortisol Treatment: Is It Safe?
Cortisol & Low Energy Levels in FMS
Cortisol Levels & Marrital Happiness
Adrienne, thanks again! I am so grateful for all the work you put into this website. When I first got sick, I really felt overwhelmed and felt like an understanding of this illness was beyond my grasp.
With the information that you’ve provided, I feel I have re-gained some control over my situation. I’m trying to think of how to say this, but I guess the best way is just, “You’re an angel!” I don’t say this lightly, especially as I live with fatigue and pain and I understand how enormous of an effort it can be just to construct a sentence at times.
I hope and pray we will both get to see the diseases unfold before us as researchers do their work, and better and more effective treatments.
Thanks, Adrienne!
Heather