Subjects with Fibromyalgia have lower basal body temperatures even though “controls and patients were matched for physical activity level” in one study. Lower free T3 levels, found in some FM subjects in the study, affected pressure pain threshold (p = 0.034). I am left to wonder if bringing the basal body temperature up to “normal” with thyroid would impact pain and fatigue.
Thyroid Science 1(8):1-18, 2006
Lower Resting Metabolic Rate and Basal Body Temperature of Fibromyalgia Patients Compared to Matched Healthy Controls
John C. Lowe,)( Gina Honeyman,) Jackie Yellin) free article here
I saw a lab result showing a testosterone of 7 with a “normal” free androgen index. No one believes subjects with a testosterone under 10-12 is normal no matter what the FAI shows. Similarly, we are left with a lower basal body temperature ?hypometabolic Fibromyalgia group with “normal” thyroid function. Certainly, hypothyroidism is associated with widespread myofascial pain. Would thyroid augmentation help FM?
Here are their findings: p = 0.001 difference
These are not rectal/vagina temperatures which I suspect could be more accurate – but are nearly a degree higher. Hence I would propose to raise BB temperature – taken in morning before arising, rectal or vaginal, to near 98 degrees gradually with supplementation as long as cardiac status allows. I have used thyroid in “normals” in the pre-statin era to lower cholesterol so this seems benign to me. I have also used Cytomel (T3) to augment depresssion without caring if the thyroid function is already “normal”. I would propose a trial of natural thyroid (has been argued part of the problem is an inability to convert T4 to T3 in certain subjects). This would be Efra Thyroid 60 mg (or less to start) daily. There is a daily fatigue scale available and that can be used and of course there are chronic pain scales.
I am troubled by the placebo effect which will be apparent but I feel placebo effect is hope which they could use all they can get… Given that depression is common in FM and Thyroid is used therapeutically for such, this could be an added benefit.
Also, androgen levels are often unmeasurable in female chronic pain subjects. Androgens do help pain threshold and I will use Andriol 40 mg every second day for such subjects.
addendum – women on needed androgens do much better energy-wise on Testim 0.2- 0.3 ml (use a syringe to measure first time) a day
I would be interested in any results from hormone manipulation therapeutically in chronic pain.
I am a 50 year old female Chiropractor with Fibromyalgia. I do have a low body temperature often around 35.4 degrees. I have been frustrated at mainstream medicine’s lack of knowledge and ability to treat patients like me who have normal thyroid test results. In the past I have done Saliva testing and have found low levels of testosterone. My physician at the time prescribed testorone cream. After using this for a few weeks I noticed a significant increase in my energy levels and just overall well-being. I find your “musings” very interesting and would like to be involved in any research you are doing.
I have been on 75mg. of effexor, 100mg of Wellbutrin and 25 to 5o mg of Trazodone at night for about 4 years. This has kept me in a functioning state. I haven’t practised as a Chiro since my second child was born in 1988 so I am at home looking after my 4 children. Recently I started Lyrica which has raised my energy level substantially. My GP doesn’t know a lot about Fibromyalgia and so I am left to my own judgement as to whether I should cut down on my other meds or not.
Just thought I’d give you a little idea of the situation of a fibromyalgia patient.