Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex health condition – but with the help of functional medicine therapies, including IV therapy from Toronto, you could support energy levels and detoxification processes.

This condition is also called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and it can impede the human body, affecting several body systems. It usually consists of feeling excessively tired or experiencing severe sluggishness, to the point that sleep cannot provide a boost in energy levels. Its chronic illness symptoms can become exacerbated with either physical exertion or cognitive activities.

Do you suffer from a lack of energy that’s hindering your quality of life? The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) explains what chronic fatigue is and how adjunct intravenous infusion drips can support this for optimal health.

Chronic Fatigue Facts

• ME/CFS may occur across all ages, including in children. Women tend to have a high frequency of being affected compared to men. 
• Symptoms can manifest similarly to other health issues, such as the flu, which is why it may be challenging to diagnose it. Symptoms may include: light sensitivity, depression, joint pain, poor mental clarity and concentration, and headaches. You may also experience sore throat, low fever, weakness, breathing issues, body temperature changes (i.e. chills), rawness in the neck and armpit lymph nodes, and food sensitivities. 
• It may share characteristics of autoimmune conditions, as excessive fatigue can be a symptom of autoimmunity. 
• Scientists cannot identify an exact cause; but they suggest that genetics and toxin exposures can contribute to ME/CFS. The following may also be possible causes:
  • Alteration to immune health: Some patients get chronic fatigue symptoms after having an illness, such as Epstein-Barr Virus. Research is ongoing regarding the link between viruses and chronic fatigue. Cancer treatments may also play a role in forming ME/CFS.
  • Dysfunctions to cellular functioning: Studies have shown that cellular health is hindered in people with the condition. In particular, cellular energy production appears to be poorly functioning. It’s speculated that these patients may not be capable of constructing enough cells or their bodies are not using cells with efficiency.
  • Hormonal imbalances: Uneven hormone levels can set off symptoms of chronic fatigue. Sufferers tend to have irregular amounts of hormones created by the adrenals, hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
  • Buildup of oxidative stress: According to a study from PLOS ONE, chronic fatigue sufferers carry excessive oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is when there is an uneven number of antioxidants and free radicals in the body, which can leave the body susceptible to poor immune function, cellular functioning, etc.

Custom functional medicine programs can address fatigue and foster health benefits. One treatment modality that may be part of a personalized treatment service is adjunct vitamin IV therapy, which is what we offer in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. By replenishing the body with essential nutrients, enhancing the infusion of antioxidants, and facilitating detoxification to rejuvenate the mitochondria with a personalized IV drip, there is potential in alleviating discomforts at the cellular level. You can check out our previous article on how adjunctive IV therapy may foster detoxification.

Addressing the Condition with Functional Medicine-Based IV Therapy

If you were to visit a TFMC healthcare provider for chronic fatigue, you would be introduced to our multidisciplinary approach to wellness. This would involve a chat during your initial consultation regarding your past medical history, genetics, health goals, and lifestyle and environmental constituents. We would also mention functional medicine lab tests for modifying dosages of vitamins, minerals, etc. Tests may include:

• Heavy metal toxicity test: Toxic metal exposures can worsen chronic fatigue. If you experience frequent exposure to harmful materials, this may be advised, as mercury, arsenic and cadmium may impair CFS symptoms and cellular function. 
• Hormone testing: DUTCH testing – which is a series of dried urine tests – can quantify specific hormonal imbalances. For example, adrenal hypofunction presenting low cortisol levels could be indicators for ME/CFS symptoms.  
• Stool testing (Genova Diagnostics’ GI Effects Comprehensive Profile test): This lab stool test is used to measure your digestive and intestinal health, especially the gut microbiome. Studies have shown that ME/CFS sufferers lack “good” bacteria in the gut. Our gut health assessment could help us scrutinize your gut microbiome; after all, “bad” bacteria can exacerbate the condition. 
• Personalized nutritional assessment (Metabolomix+ Nutritional Test): A collection of urine (first morning void/FMV) must be submitted. This collection would be analyzed for nutritional biomarkers, which can help us establish if your body requires additional antioxidants, major minerals, amino acids, etc. Nutrient deficiencies can contribute to forming CFS. In fact, lacking vitamin C, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, essential fatty acids, and the amino acids tryptophan and carnitine may amplify the severity of chronic fatigue symptoms.

After collecting the core components of your current health status, we can design your treatment plan with functional medicine therapies, oral supplementation, lifestyle modifications, and the adjuvant treatment IV therapy. IV nutrient therapy is offered as an individualized approach to your nutritional needs, with possible beneficial effects – such as maintaining blood cell formation and mitochondrial energy production, the elimination of toxins, and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory support – while providing a rehydration of fluids. They offer a full absorption rate of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that you may need restocking – without losing nutrients from the digestive process.

An IV therapy treatment includes inserting an IV tube into the vein, which allows for a nutritional drip to enter your bloodstream for immediate use. IV therapy drips bypass the digestive tract, which means you may have a reduced chance of getting unwanted side effects. Sometimes these effects occur with the ingestion of oral supplements (i.e. oral magnesium), which is why some patients with digestive health issues may rely on a regular intravenous vitamin drip.

For managing ME/CFS, we may have certain concentrations of nutrients for an immune boost and to promote essential energy production and liver detoxification. For instance, we may advise on a high-dose vitamin C drip offered with other major antioxidants (i.e. glutathione), major minerals (magnesium), B vitamins, and other key nutrients for your health concerns (i.e. chronic inflammation, muscle function, rheumatoid arthritis, liver repair, brain fog, supporting healthy hair and nails, skin elasticity, etc.)

If you’re suffering from a lack of energy, your daily functioning may be affected. Read below to learn how to start exploring the source of your low energy levels.

Visit the IV Lounge in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC)

Tailored-made, scientifically-formulated IV therapies are specially compounded for your needs, such as aiding immune health, cognitive function, and muscle recovery. IV therapy drips may be prescribed as adjunct support therapy. When merged with healthy lifestyle factors and other treatment modalities, they can support optimal function.

We currently offer intravenous therapy in our private downtown clinic. Our IV Lounge is designed for patients who require intravenous drips for their tailored treatment service. We freshly blend vitamin drip therapy with safe ingredients, such as intravenous high-dose vitamin C, folic acid, a medley of amino acids, and other natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory components. IV NAD+ and glutathione therapy are also available as complementary therapy for specific health goals, such as promoting an anti-aging effect and healthy longevity, or for supporting post-exercise recovery and effective rehydration for physical performances. Safety is priority at the TFMC, and Lounge sessions are monitored by our medical doctor, naturopathic doctors, registered nurses and nurse practitioner. Intramuscular vitamin D injections may also be prescribed in our Lounge.

When you become a TFMC patient, you’ll be treated as an individual and you will not be compared to others. Chief health concerns are personal, and health benefits may be achieved through different strategies (i.e. allopathic medicine, bio-identical hormone treatments, naturopathic medicine, detoxification strategies, etc.). We tailor your treatment plan to target your needs only; doses of nutrients for IV therapy (i.e. personal ingredients, magnesium content) are adapted with the integrative functional medicine model.

Unpack your potential for much-needed energy! IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre is now available as adjunct support. Please phone us to request your complete diagnostic session.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References:

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“Chronic fatigue syndrome: Gradually figuring out what’s wrong” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, posted on November 14, 2019, viewed on October 22, 2023.

Deumer US, Varesi A, Floris V, Savioli G, Mantovani E, López-Carrasco P, Rosati GM, Prasad S, Ricevuti G. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview. J Clin Med. 2021 Oct 19;10(20):4786. doi: 10.3390/jcm10204786. PMID: 34682909; PMCID: PMC8538807.

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Prins, J. B., Van der Meer, J. W., & Bleijenberg, G. (2006). Chronic fatigue syndrome. The Lancet, 367(9507), 346-355. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68073-2

Sapra A, Bhandari P. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Jun 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557676/

Shin SR, Han AL. Improved chronic fatigue symptoms after removal of mercury in patient with increased mercury concentration in hair toxic mineral assay: a case. Korean J Fam Med. 2012 Sep;33(5):320-5. doi: 10.4082/kjfm.2012.33.5.320. Epub 2012 Sep 27. PMID: 23115707; PMCID: PMC3481032.

Sepúlveda N, Carneiro J, Lacerda E, Nacul L. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a Hyper-Regulated Immune System Driven by an Interplay Between Regulatory T Cells and Chronic Human Herpesvirus Infections. Front Immunol. 2019 Nov 21;10:2684. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02684. PMID: 31824487; PMCID: PMC6883905.

“Studies find that microbiome changes may be a signature for ME/CFS” from the National Institutes of Health, news release, posted February 8, 2023, viewed on October 22, 2023.

Tomas, C., Brown, A., Strassheim, V., Elson, J., Newton, J., & Manning, P. (2017). Cellular bioenergetics is impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. PLOS ONE, 12(10), e0186802. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186802

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“What is ME/CFS?” from the CDC, last reviewed March 21, 2023, viewed on October 19, 2023.