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Horm Metab Res 1999; 31(1): 18-21
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-978690
Originals Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Response to i.v. ACTH in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

P. De Becker1 , 2 , K. De Meirleir1 , 2 , E. Joos1 , I. Campine1 , 2 , E. Van Steenberge1 , 2 , J. Smitz1 , B. Velkeniers1
  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
  • 2Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
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Publication History

1998

1998

Publication Date:
19 April 2007 (online)

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Previous studies have demonstrated concentrating neuroendocrinological disturbances in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients, concentrating in particular on low cortisol levels and a hypothalamic deficiency. In order to investigate the dynamic response of the adrenal glands, we measured dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in serum after adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation during 60 minutes in 22 CFS-patients and 14 healthy controls. We found normal basal DHEA levels, but a blunted serum DHEA response curve to i.v. ACTH injection. This observation adds to the large amount of evidence of endocrinological abnormalities in CFS. Relative glucocorticoid deficiency might contribute to the overall clinical picture in CFS, and could explain some of the immunological disturbances observed in this syndrome.

Key words

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - DHEA - ACTH - Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis