low dose hydrocortisone therapy, 5-10 mg, shown to be effective short-term therapy in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Additionally, and very important, this study found no adrenal function suppression at these doses.
We conclude that the improvement in fatigue seen in some
patients with chronic fatigue syndrome during hydrocortisone treatment
is accompanied by a reversal of the blunted cortisol responses to human
CRH
These data further suggest that the hypocortisolism
found in chronic fatigue syndrome may be secondary to reduced adrenal
gland output.
5-mg replacement dose of
hydrocortisone, and the remainder 10 mg
low dose hydrocortisone therapy (defined as 5-10 mg), in this study, was used to treat CFS. This study found an improvement in symptoms in these patients. Additionally, low cortisol was found in these patients with CFS. Their conclusion, was that low adrenal function is a component of CFS and low dose hydrocortisone therapy is an effective treatment.
Now, is the low cortisol as the result of increased metabolism as well?
Study finds 50 mg of DHEA improves insulin sensitivity in Hypoadrenal women. The authors also found and increase in DHEAS, bioavailable T, androstenedione, and a reduced SHBG, insulin, and glucagon.