Is fibromyalgia a syndrome of hormonal imbalance?

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was conducted to estimate cortisol and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to find correlation if any between hormone levels and pain duration in FMS. Methods: Plasma cortisol and TSH concentration were determined by electro chemiluminescence immunoassay in 89 female patients with FMS and 74 age-matched healthy women. Results: No significant difference in TSH level was observed between FMS and healthy subjects. Ten patients had higher cortisol levels than the standard reference range, 48 patients with reduced cortisol and 31 patients with normal cortisol levels. No significant correlation was observed between pain duration and levels of cortisol. Conclusion: The study has confirmed the equivocal data regarding cortisol/hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis related dysfunction in FMS. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first Indian study on FMS which assessed the cortisol and TSH levels and their correlation with pain duration if any.