Why do some people with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia have low stress hormone levels?
The hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Some people with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia have lower levels of stress hormones. This isn't because their hormone-making parts are broken, but because their body may have changed how it handles long-term stress.
Surprising Findings
Low cortisol in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia may be an adaptive response, not a defect.
Most people assume low hormone levels mean something is broken, but this suggests the body is actively adjusting to survive long-term stress—like a thermostat recalibrating.
Practical Takeaways
Consider that chronic fatigue or pain might reflect a body overwhelmed by long-term stress, not a failing organ system.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Some people with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia have lower levels of stress hormones. This isn't because their hormone-making parts are broken, but because their body may have changed how it handles long-term stress.
Surprising Findings
Low cortisol in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia may be an adaptive response, not a defect.
Most people assume low hormone levels mean something is broken, but this suggests the body is actively adjusting to survive long-term stress—like a thermostat recalibrating.
Practical Takeaways
Consider that chronic fatigue or pain might reflect a body overwhelmed by long-term stress, not a failing organ system.
Publication
Journal
Stress
Year
2007
Authors
F. Tanrıverdi, Z. Karaca, K. Unluhizarci, F. Keleştimur
Related Content
Claims (4)
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.
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.
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.
If your body makes too much cortisol for too long, your adrenal glands can get worn out and stop working well when you actually need to handle stress.