Chronic fatigue syndrome and testosterone
Summary:
- One of the most common symptoms of hormone deficiency in men is chronic fatigue — the type of extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve after rest.
- This tiredness is often the result of the natural decline in testosterone men experience from their mid-30s onwards.
- The key hormones we associate with energy and fatigue are testosterone and thyroid. If either of these hormones are suboptimal, problems can arise.
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can address many chronic fatigue symptoms and give you that boost in energy you need to feel yourself again.
Test your hormone levels to see how Hormone Replacement Therapy can help your energy levels.
What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms that are not exclusive to this condition. CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME.
The main symptom of CFS is extreme tiredness that lasts over 6 months. However, due to the wide range of other symptoms, it makes diagnosis very difficult for doctors. CFS is not age-specific and can affect adults and children alike but is most common in adults, tending to develop between your mid-20’s and mid-40’s.
Chronic fatigue syndrome tends to be worst in the first couple of years, and over time, patients adjust and start to gain some energy and feelings of being functional again. The primary indicator of CFS is a constant feeling of extreme tiredness and generally feeling run down.
In addition, people with CFS may experience symptoms, such as:
- Problems sleeping
- Joint pains and aching muscles
- headaches
- Persistent sore throat
- Swollen glands
- Brain fog, memory problems, and problem-solving issues
- Psychiatric illnesses, depression, bipolar disorder
- Low libido
- Flu-like symptoms
- Sickness and dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat and palpitations
What causes chronic fatigue?
There is evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome results from malfunctions in the immune and nervous system combined with problems with your metabolism that affect how your body creates energy. There are no known tests to establish and confirm a diagnosis; however, doctors can test for hormone deficiencies to establish if this may play a part. Testosterone and thyroid deficiencies can have a considerable effect on energy levels. In many cases, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can treat many of CFS’s uncomfortable symptoms.
When diagnosing CFS, doctors will look at a patient’s symptoms as the primary indicator of this condition. By eliminating other illnesses that can cause long-term fatigue and testing hormone levels, they can then decide on a suitable treatment plan.
If you feel you are suffering from CFS, our medical providers will look closely at your symptoms and look for other causes of your fatigue, including:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Obesity
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone)
- Stress and increased cortisol levels
- Reduced cortisol, Addison’s disease / Adrenal insufficiency (underactive adrenal gland)
- Heart disorders
- Poor diet and lack of exercise
- B12 deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
- Sleep apnea or narcolepsy
- Side effects of medications
- Cancer
- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Psychiatric illnesses, depression, bipolar disorder
- Drug and alcohol abuse
Start today by completing a free hormone assessment and purchasing our at-home lab kit.
The role of hormones in chronic fatigue
Testosterone and chronic fatigue syndrome
Testosterone is a crucial hormone that maintains muscle mass, fat distribution, bone mass, sperm production, libido, and red blood cell production. Any significant fall in testosterone levels can have far-reaching effects, resulting in decreased sex drive, muscle loss, weight gain, motivation loss, and sleep problems. All these symptoms can lead to feelings of extreme fatigue, low energy levels, and a complete lack of motivation.
Chronic fatigue syndrome exhibits many of the same symptoms of having suboptimal testosterone levels, including:
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Obesity
- Brain fog, memory problems, and problem-solving issues
- Cardiovascular problems
- Psychiatric illnesses, depression, bipolar disorder
- Low libido
Thyroid and chronic fatigue syndrome
The thyroid is part of your endocrine system that regulates when and how hormones release into your body. The thyroid can become overactive (produces too many hormones) or underactive (produces too few). Commonly those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome are diagnosed with hypothyroidism which is also called underactive thyroid.
The common signs of underactive thyroid are almost a carbon copy of CFS symptoms, tiredness, weight gain, and feelings of depression. When your thyroid is not working efficiently, or you are suffering from thyroid resistance, your body is not receiving sufficient thyroid hormones, and your energy levels can drastically fall. Similar symptoms to chronic fatigue syndrome surface such as:
- Problems sleeping
- Joint pains and aching muscles
- Low libido
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Psychiatric illnesses, depression, bipolar disorder
- Brain fog, memory problems, and problem-solving issues
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Irregular heart rate, palpitations
Thyroid hormones also help control your body temperature, heart rate, cholesterol levels, and metabolism. Importantly, your metabolism is the process of how your body takes food and turns it into the energy you use. If your thyroid is not working efficiently, you undoubtedly will suffer from tiredness, low energy levels, and feelings of depression.
Start Hormone Replacement Therapy today by completing the free hormone assessment.
BHRT and chronic fatigue
BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) consisting of testosterone and thyroid medication offers support for your immune system, metabolism, and energy levels. Optimizing your hormones to levels of youth will give you back your stamina and zest for life.
When you were younger, your hormones were in perfect balance. Male Excel’s hormone replacement programs will get you back to the point where your hormones were at their peak and you felt on top of the world.
Our providers complete a thorough evaluation of all your symptoms to gain a full understanding of your overall health, not just your blood work. Blood tests are necessary but they only show the numbers. By optimizing your hormone levels and finding the point where your symptoms are relieved, that is when your hormones are truly optimized.
Testosterone therapy and chronic fatigue
Bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy can readdress the balance. Optimal testosterone levels offer so many benefits that can relieve the struggle of living with chronic fatigue syndrome. Energy levels usually return within a week or two, giving you the stamina to break the cycle. Combined with eating a healthy diet and exercise, patients experience significant results. The benefits speak for themselves:
- Improved libido and sexual satisfaction
- Reduced bad cholesterol (LDL)
- Increased metabolism
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Increased lean muscle mass and strength
- Decreased body fat (dangerous visceral fat)
- Increased confidence, positivity, memory, and brain function
- Reduced feelings of depression
- Increased energy levels
- Improved Sleep
- More equipped to deal with stress
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and relief from insulin resistance
Thyroid treatment and chronic fatigue
Optimizing thyroid hormones in tandem with testosterone ensures all your hormones work together, just like when you were younger. Thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism and the distribution of energy to every cell in your body. By making sure your thyroid hormones are optimized, you will feel and see the benefits, such as:
- Improved metabolism
- Improved memory, reduced brain fog
- Reduced symptoms of depression
- More energy
- Reduced Fatigue
- Increased ability to burn fat – weight loss
- Reduced bad cholesterol and increased good cholesterol
- Better regulation of body temperature
- Reduced chance of Cardiovascular disease
- Reduced chance of Alzheimer’s Disease
Chronic fatigue syndrome has many unknown causes. However, with BHRT we can address many of the symptoms. Many men with low testosterone levels and poor thyroid function suffer the same symptoms, and many of them suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Wondering if you may be suffering from low T or thyroid levels? Take our free assessment to see if you could benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy!
Other Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Frequently asked questions
HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone levels are tested and medications are administered to help hormones such as testosterone and thyroid reach their optimum levels.
TRT stands for testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is given to combat decreasing levels in men. This is to fight the usual signs and symptoms of aging such as fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido, and muscle loss.
We offer a daily injectable Testosterone Cypionate or a twice-daily Lipoderm cream. Both are bioidentical. We also prescribe Triclozene (Clomiphene Citrate) for men, which can help improve several aspects of male health, including low testosterone levels, hormone ratios and sperm production.
The benefits of HRT are extensive but include the following: healthy heart and blood, less fat, more muscle, stronger bones, improved libido, better sleep, improved memory, spatial ability and mental reasoning, improved mood, and better sex.
On average it takes approximately 7 business days from ordering your test kit to receiving your results. This is obviously dependent on how quickly you complete and return the test via free return postage. Once we have received your results, a dedicated medical provider will review this along with your online assessment to create your personalized treatment plan.
This is a very difficult question because there is no definitive answer. Everybody is biologically different and responds to the treatment differently. For detailed information, click here.
The test indicates whether you will benefit from this treatment and what your current hormone levels are. We can then know the proper medication to get your testosterone and thyroid to their optimum levels.
Our blood spot test measures 5 key hormone levels. It offers distinct advantages over traditional testing methods because it eliminates the need for a blood draw – saving patients time and money. Our blood spot test is a simple to use test that is done in the comfort of your own home. It involves a finger prick and 12 drops of blood dropped onto a card. We include free return postage with your test for your convenience.
Yes. HRT is safe when monitored by a licensed medical provider. This is why we require yearly testing and symptoms questionnaires every 2 months.
The treatment is effective for as long as you take it. Once you stop taking HRT your levels will return to the levels they were previously.
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