Most people with FMS/CFS have a core body temperature slightly lower than the recognized norm of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A 1/2 to 1 degree lower body temperature is typical in people with FMS/CFS.

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulation of the body's metabolism. A lower body temperature is one symptom of an underactive thyroid gland. Some people with FMS/CFS have also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid.

Dr. Lowe, specializing in FMS, has taken the approach that FMS is related to lowered metabolism due to hypothyroidism. If you want to study Dr. Lowe's approach his web site is located at www.drlowe.com.

The thyroid can be likened to the thermostat in your house. Adjust the temperature setting of the thermostat higher and the house temperature rises to the set temperature. However, the temperature of the house can only rise if there is fuel in the furnace to heat the house. In this scenario the house could be cooler due to lack of fuel and no fault of the thermostat.

In the body the fuel which is used for energy, and is used to heat the body, is ATP. Researchers have found that ATP is lower in people with FMS. My thinking is that in most cases the thyroid gland may not be the problem. The lowered body temperature may be a direct result of low ATP levels.

Body temperature has a direct influence on the metabolic rate. An increase of 1 degree Celsius (about 2 degrees F.) will increase metabolism about 15%. We can extrapolate from this that a drop of one degree fahrenheit could result in a drop in metabolism of about 7%.

This creates a conundrum. In FMS/CFS the body needs to generate more ATP but the body temperature being lower impedes the ability to manufacture ATP by reducing metabolism.

Perspiration is one method that the body uses to regulate body temperature, cooling the body as the sweat evaporates. In FMS/CFS the body temperature is already low so I suspect that that may be one reason why many people with FMS/CFS have a history of not sweating. Some people experience night sweats which I believe is linked to hormone imbalances and is not related to sweating for the purpose of cooling the body.

Let's get back to the thyroid gland. There are a number of nutrients that the thyroid needs for normal function. These nutrients include Vitamins A, B2, B3, and B6, and Iodine. Lets assume that if any of these nutrients are lacking thyroid function would be impaired. See Thyroid Function for more information on the thyroid.

An enlarged thyroid gland, called a goiter, is the result of a lack of Iodine in the blood. The thyroid enlarges so that it can filter more blood in its search for Iodine. If the thyroid is not enlarged you may not be Iodine deficient but it is a good idea to include a little kelp, a good source of Iodine, in the diet anyway. My suggestion is to use granulated kelp for occasional seasoning in salads or other foods.

In the research abstract "Vitamin B status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome", researchers report: "These data provide preliminary evidence of reduced functional B vitamin status, particularly of pyridoxine, in CFS patients".

Pyridoxine is another name for vitamin B6. As was pointed out above, vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient for thyroid function. Maybe, the lowered thyroid function is only due to a nutrient deficiency.

Another benefit of vitamin B6 which is pointed out on the thyroid page linked to above is that mosquitoes tend to avoid biting people with high B6 levels". With the increasing scare of "West Nile Virus" carried by mosquitoes, it may be a good idea to get more vitamin B6 in the diet. Already dealing with lowered immune functions, "West Nile Virus" is not something that you want infecting your body.

Foods are your best source for nutrients. The body was designed to obtain needed nutrients from a healthy diet. Some people take supplements and expect that since the label says the pill contains such and such vitamins and minerals that the body is taking them in. That may or may not be the case.

As the article "Antioxidants in Food May Prevent Memory Loss" points out, vitamin supplements did not provide the same level of health benefit as eating foods that naturally contained the vitamins. One reason may be that foods also contain other nutrients that may be essential for proper utilization of the vitamin that the pill does not contain.

I hope that you have found this information of worth. Too many people today don't care to know how their body works. When these people become ill, they only want to know what they must do to get better, a pill is best and better yet that insurance pay for it. I doubt that anyone on this list would fall into this category, no offense intended.

If you have any questions feel free to post them to the list.

All the best,
Jim

Posted to the THMI-FMS email list on 8/22/2002.