Fatigue/ME

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not a disease itself but the manifestation of a group of symptoms which can have many causes, the most common being post viral infection,
generally known as ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). 

ME as a cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can now easily be established with the Cell Free DNA blood test.

Other causes for the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are as follows:

1. Low Blood Pressure
2. Functional Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
3. Anaemia (iron, B12, Folic Acid) or borderline
4. Under-active Thyroid or borderline under-active
5. Chemical sensitivity
6. Food allergies and intolerances
7. Sub-acute focal infections (teeth, sinus, pelvis)
8. Malabsorption Syndrome
9. Candida (yeast overgrowth) and parasites
10. Adrenal exhaustion following long period of stress.
11. Vitamin, mineral, amino acid deficiencies
12. Gluten intolerance – Coeliac Disease
13. Sleep disorders – SAD syndrome –“winter blues”

There can be cumulative chronic fatigue from the above list, and it is therefore necessary to evaluate all the possible causes and address them collectively in order to effect a successful treatment programme individual to each patient.

One fundamental test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the measurement of ATP,
where the results can indicate treatment protocol and progress of treatment.

A Single Definitive Test for ME

Not All In Your Mind - An end in sight for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers

Wimbledon Clinic is now able to offer Cell Free DNA Testing and ATP Profile Testing, as part of our programme for the diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Many ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers may have found it difficult to convince their doctors, and even themselves, that the symptoms they are suffering from are not “all in the mind”.

The problem intrinsic to this illness is that it is difficult to demonstrate that there is an organic disorder, even though doctors may observe potentially serious signs, such as myalgia (muscle pain), cardiac insufficiency and peripheral vascular changes. But, without a quantifiable test, it remains difficult to show any organic change present in the patient, and this may affect the type of treatment that is offered. 
 
Whilst there may be a psychological component, for most people with CFS the mental difficulties they encounter are a combination of the biological changes in the central nervous system and the effects of prolonged physical fatigue.  As the extreme tiredness and inability to function normally continues, the patient may wonder more and more if what he/she is experiencing is psychosomatic.

It is generally considered that an individual with CFS will suffer from chronic exhaustion, and will also show some or all of the following signs:

• Impaired memory or concentration
• Sore throat
• Tender cervical and axillary lymph nodes
• Muscle pain (myalgia)
• Multi-joint pain
• New Headaches
• Un-refreshing sleep
• Post exertion malaise

As you can see, many of these symptoms can also occur in healthy individuals and that is why a more reliable method of testing is required, to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment.

Cell-Free DNA Testing

An increase in cell-free DNA levels in the blood is an indication of cell damage or change.   Very low levels are found in healthy people and increases are associated with serious illnesses. Provided that cell damage due to other serious illness is precluded, cell free DNA testing may be a good indication of the presence of ME in a patient. 

Findings which show the effectiveness of using Cell-Free DNA to test for CFS are:

• A high incidence of abnormal finding of cell-free DNA in CFS and ME patients.
• The level of cell-free DNA equates well with the clinical severity of the disease.
• In individual patients, the test results reliably follow clinical improvement.
• In some patients who were monitored at regular intervals, increases in the level of Cell-free DNA effectively predicted clinical relapse.

Wimbledon Clinic is introducing two new tests to its clinical programme, which are effective in measuring organic changes in CFS sufferers. 

So it is no longer necessary to have doubts about the nature of the illness.  Both tests show measurable changes in the body, which can indicate that an individual is suffering from CFS, and analysis of the results will provide the basis for a suitable treatment programme and allow us to monitor a patient’s progress during treatment

ATP Profile Testing

ATP profile testing is useful in measuring chronic fatigue syndrome, ME and other conditions where energy availability is reduced.   ATP is the substance that directly produces energy in the body, and analysis of the level of ATP is an important indicator in the identification and treatment of CFS.

Our body needs energy to function well, but we are unable to convert sugar directly into energy.  Our cells take sugar from the blood in the form of glucose, and this has to be broken down into a substance called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is then converted into ADP to provide a useable source of energy.  This conversion process takes place in the energy “factory” of the cells, called the mitochondria.   ATP is the major energy source for muscle and other tissues in the body.

The ATP Profile looks at both the level of ATP present in the body, and the efficiency of cells to convert ATP to ADP.  Poor ATP availability or conversion to ADP is an indication for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Post Viral Syndrome
• Low Blood Pressure
• Functional Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• Anaemia (iron, B12, Folic Acid) or borderline
• Underactive Thyroid or borderline underactive
• Chemical sensitivity
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Subacute focal infections (teeth, sinus, pelvis)
• Malabsorption Syndrome
• Candida (yeast overgrowth) and parasites
• Adrenal exhaustion following long period of stress.
• Vitamin, mineral, amino acid deficiencies
• Gluten intolerance – Coeliac Disease
• Sleep disorders – SAD syndrome –“winter blues”