People with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia often have low cortisol, but it's not because their brain or hormone glands are damaged — it's more about how the system is working, not broken parts.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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The hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome

Narrative Review

2007 Mar

The study says the low cortisol in these patients isn't because their glands are damaged, but because the system isn't working right—just like a thermostat being set wrong, not the heater being broken.

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Source Study

The hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome

Score: 1

DOI: 10.1080/10253890601130823

Similar Assertions

People with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia often have a sluggish stress-response system and lower-than-normal cortisol levels, but not every study agrees because they look at different people or use different methods.

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The way your body handles stress might change in conditions like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia — and that change could actually be your body trying to cope, not something broken.

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72%