I don't think with CFS that any typical model of HPA axis dysfuction explains what's going on. Normally cortisol and testosterone have an inverse relationship. As cortisol rises, T is suppressed, and vice versa. So, if the adrenals were underfunctioning, the testes would be overproducing T.
In CFS this is not what happens, both are typically low. From all the testing I have had done, it appears that my glands are producing enough of these hormones, certainly testosterone anyways. But somewhere after that they are disappearing. When I say 'used up' by XMRV I know I am oversimplifying.
The specialist I saw about the low free-T said he though my T was binding too aggressively with albumin. I'm just saying it could be a similar process to that.
Something has to explain why cortisol and testosterone are both showing up low in this disease. It is not a common occurrence outside CFS.
In CFS this is not what happens, both are typically low. From all the testing I have had done, it appears that my glands are producing enough of these hormones, certainly testosterone anyways. But somewhere after that they are disappearing. When I say 'used up' by XMRV I know I am oversimplifying.
The specialist I saw about the low free-T said he though my T was binding too aggressively with albumin. I'm just saying it could be a similar process to that.
Something has to explain why cortisol and testosterone are both showing up low in this disease. It is not a common occurrence outside CFS.