CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by a profound fatigue that is not improved with bed rest.  It may be worsened by physical or mental activity.

Persons with CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness. In addition to these key defining characteristics, patients report various nonspecific symptoms including weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years. The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified and no specific diagnostic tests are available. Moreover, since many illnesses have incapacitating fatigue as a symptom, care must be taken to exclude other known and often treatable conditions before a diagnosis of CFS is made.

Since there is no known cure for CFS, treatment is aimed at symptom relief and improved function. A combination of drug and non-drug therapies is usually recommended.

(Published by Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Quite often patients, diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue have undiagnosed hormonal or nutritional imbalance. When these problems are detected and corrected, symptoms of Chronic Fatigue disappear.

For example:

Low levels of DHEA and DHEA-S may be associated with fatigue

Low level of T-3 (one of thyroid hormones), even when TSH and T-4 are normal, may be associated with fatigue.

Low level of Testosterone may be associated with fatigue.

Low level of Growth Hormone may be associated with fatigue

Suppressed Immune System may be associated with fatigue

Carnitine  and Acetyl-L-carnitine deficiencies may cause fatigue.

Coenzyme Q-10 deficiency may cause fatigue.

Cysteine deficiency may cause fatigue

Certain carotenoids deficiency may cause fatigue

Vitamin D deficiency may cause fatigue