Could an apparently permanent drop in my body temperature be related to my chron!
Question:
Could an apparently permanent drop in my body temperature be related to my chronic fatigue syndrome?
I'm forty-seven. All my life I've had a normal temperature of 98.6 unless it was elevated due to illness. But for the past two years, my 'normal' temp's been between 97.4 to 97.8 all the time. I was diagnosed recently with chronic fatigue sydrome after a group of other symptoms for which everything else was eliminated. So I'm wondering if low body temperature is a feature of CFS.
Answers:
This is possible, if not probable. One of the underlying biochemical changes with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a decrease in energy production in the cell's mitochondria (where energy is produced by the Electron Transport Chain - ETC).
Body temperature (heat) is also a product of the mitochondria and the ETC through a processed called "Mitochondrial Uncoupling". Decreased activity or efficiency of the ETC would result in decreased energy production and decreased heat production. I believe both of these are common with CFS.
Many nutrients are critical for healthy and proper functioning mitochondria. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oils), iron, zinc, copper, Co-Q10, Lipoic Acid, L-Carnitine, and various B-vitamins. Therefore, it may be helpful to supplement with all of these.
Additionally, many environmental toxins damage the mitochondria. Heavy metal toxicities (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, aluminum, etc.) are common causes of mitochondrial damage. It may be a good idea to get tested for these possibilities.
Last point, Celiac Disease is common but rarely diagnosed and it can cause the nutrient deficiencies noted above (in-spite of a healthy diet). The most common presenting symptom in Celiac patients is chronic fatigue. Again, it may be wise to get tested to rule out this common and treatable cause of fatigue and nutrient deficiency.
Best wishes and good luck.