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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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 looks at how the body's stress system works in people with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and finds it's often underactive, just like the claim says. It also explains why some studies might get different results.

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No contradicting evidence found

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According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

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 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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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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