Hormone

Hormones are an organic substance that plants and animals secret, regulating physiological activities and maintaining homeostasis.

Anecdotally, some sufferers of CFS/ME find help in supplementing with Melatonin. Melatonin, also known as N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine, is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in animals and regulates sleep and wakefulness. Those supplementing with Melatonin report better, deeper sleep. Sufferers report the effect of Melatonin supplementation is not immediate and should be tried for a few weeks before determining if it mitigates sleep problems. Supplementation can range from 1 mg/day to 10 mg/day and perhaps higher as studies involving breast cancer patients have supplemented with 20 mg/day. Melatonin supplementation should be done in conjunction with your physician's advice.

Vitamin D would also be a good hormone to supplement for ME/CFS sufferers. Low Vitamin D has been linked to many diseases including MS (multiple sclerosis which like ME is a neuroimmune disease). Optimal Vitamin D range is 50 – 80 ng/mL. Vitamin D can be tested with a simple, inexpensive blood test by a physician. A good process to follow is to have your physician test your Vitamin D level and then begin supplementation. Typical supplementation varies by individual and ranges from 1,000 IU per day to 10,000 IU per day. After supplementing for 90 days, have your physician retest and continue this process by increasing your dose until you reach at least 50 ng/mL on your test.

Restoring youthful hormone levels may be helpful for those sufferers over 25 years of age, as hormone levels peak in late teens/early 20s. Restoration should only be done with bioidentical hormones. Hormones to ask your physician about should include DHEA, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estradiol, Estriol, and Pregnenolone. Estriol and Estradiol are typically supplemented in an 80/20 ratio. Hormone level can be assessed via urine, saliva, and blood. Each type of test has pros and cons.

Notable studies

 * 2010, Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome (Abstract)