MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
- It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.
Search all questions
Choose a letter to see our categories
- Show all
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- Y
- 5
- AIDS
- ANA
- ANS
- ASA
- AXA1125 amino acid
- Acetylcholine
- Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
- Activities of daily living
- Activity
- Activity Management
- Acupuncture
- Adaptations
- Addison's Disease
- Adrenal
- Adrenal Glands
- Adrenalin
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
- Advertising Standards Authority
- Aetiology
- Alcohol
- Alcoholism
- Aldosterone
- Aldosteronism
- Alkaline Phosphatase
- All Party Parliamentary Group on ME
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergies
- Allergy
- Allodynia
- Alternative
- Alternative Therapies
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Amalgam Fillings
- Amino acid
- Amitriptyline
- Ampligen
- Anabolic therapies
- Anaemia
- Anaesthetics
- Analgesic
- Angina
- Anhedonia
- Anti-CCP
- Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide
- Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies
- Antibiotics
- Antibodies
- Anticoagulants
- Anticonvulsants
- Antidepressants
- Antihistimines
- Antinuclear Antibodies
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Antiresorptive drugs
- Antivirals
- Anxiety
- Apheresis
- Appetite
- Applied Kinesiology
- Appointments
- Arthritis
- Aspirin
- Assessment
- Asthma
- Atypical convulsions.
- Autoantibodies
- Autoimmune
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Autonomic Neuropathy
- Autopsy
- Awareness
Questions in the Category: Addison's Disease
Blood sugars: Hypoglycaemia
I sometimes have acute and short lived episodes involving symptoms that are found with low blood sugar: feeling weak and dizzy, looking pale, sweating, increased pulse rate, blurred vision and confusion.
I’ve read on the internet that one of the symptoms of ME can be episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). However, I cannot find hypoglycaemia being listed in any of the official diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, or in the symptom list in the MEA purple book.
As my brother is diabetic, I’ve been checking my blood sugar levels at these times and found them to be low. My GP said he didn’t know if this could be related to ME/CFS and has arranged for me to see an endocrinologist (hormone specialist) for further assessment.
Please could you clarify if there is a link between ME/CFS and low blood sugar. If so, what is the best form of treatment? I should add that I have a healthy balanced diet with no food restrictions.
Test: Synacthen
A blood test has shown that I have a low level of the hormone cortisol. As a result I am now being referred to hospital to have a synacthen test to assess my adrenal gland function. As this test involves the use of a drug that stimulates steroid production is it likely to cause any problems for someone with ME/CFS? Or could the use of a steroid be a way of treating ME/CFS?
Addison's Disease
I was interested to see the item on Addison’s disease in the Winter issue of ME Essential as I have a close friend with this rare disease and it obviously has some interesting symptom overlaps with ME/CFS. So is there any evidence that adrenal gland failure, and steroid hormone production, could also be involved in ME/CFS? If so, would it be worth looking at steroids as a possible form of treatment for ME/CFS?
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
If you have questions about ME/CFS or Long Covid, you can:
- Review the free information in the What is ME/CFS? section of the website, and the free Covid-19 and Long Covid information in the website shop.
- Review the largest range of literature covering all aspects of living with ME/CFS. Download detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, management, co-mordities, employment, education, related health conditions, The 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline, welfare benefits etc.
- Join the ME Association as a member and you'll receive the highly-rated ME Essential magazine, and you can ask questions of the charity’s expert advisers including Dr Shepherd.
- Contact us via the ME Connect Telephone Helpline (open 365 days a year) and speak to one of the national team of fully-trained volunteers who waiting to provide information and support.
- Contact us via email or social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn.
Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are an HCP you can sign-up here to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).
Please note: The answers comprising Medical Matters were accurate at the time of printing. A publication date accompanies all listed entries. We will endeavour to keep Medical Matters updated as information changes, but if you would like to comment, please email: meconnect@meassociation.org.uk
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Information provided by The ME Association should not be construed as medical advice. Don't assume any new or worsened symptoms are simply the result of having ME/CFS or Long Covid. We recommend that any information you deem relevant is discussed with your NHS GP as soon as possible. It is important that you seek personalised medical advice from the GP who is in charge of your care and who knows you well.