Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Based on the research of Myhill, Booth, and McLaren Howard (PMID: 19436827)

Have you ever felt like your energy is being drained from the inside out like no amount of rest restores you? If so, you're not alone. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), affects millions of people and can leave patients feeling misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and dismissed.

But new science is helping to change that narrative. Research by Myhill, Booth, and McLaren Howard published in the journal International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine reveals a compelling connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and the crushing fatigue experienced by people with CFS. This breakthrough is exactly what Functional Medicine excels at: finding and treating the root cause.

What the Study Found: It’s All About Energy at the Cellular Level

The research investigated 71 patients with CFS and compared them to 53 healthy individuals using an “ATP profile” test, a cutting-edge analysis that examines how well your mitochondria produce and recycle ATP, the body’s primary energy currency.

Key findings include:

CFS patients showed significant mitochondrial dysfunction compared to healthy individuals
There was a remarkably strong correlation between the degree of mitochondrial dysfunction and the severity of fatigue symptoms (p < 0.001)
The study identified multiple areas where cellular energy production was impaired, including oxidative phosphorylation efficiency and ATP/ADP transport

This means that CFS is not “all in your head.” It is a real, measurable metabolic breakdown and Functional Medicine practitioners know how to test for it and support recovery

📚 Source: Myhill, S., Booth, N.E., & McLaren-Howard, J. (2009). Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2009;2(1):1-16. PMID: 19436827

Functional Medicine’s Approach to Chronic Fatigue: Test, Don’t Guess

At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic, we go beyond symptom suppression. We investigate why your body isn’t working optimally. When it comes to persistent fatigue, we often begin by asking: Is your body making enough energy?

Here's how we get to the root cause:

1. Comprehensive Health History and Symptom Mapping
We start by listening closely. Our intake process maps patterns that suggest mitochondrial stress, nutrient deficiencies, toxin exposure, past infections, and more

2. Advanced Functional Testing
Depending on your presentation, we may recommend:

Organic Acids Testing (OAT) to assess mitochondrial metabolites
Nutrient panels (including B-vitamins, magnesium, carnitine, CoQ10)
Environmental toxin or heavy metal panels
GI and microbiome panels to assess gut permeability and dysbiosis
Hormone and adrenal stress tests (HPA axis dysfunction is common in CFS)

3. Mitochondrial Support Protocols
Tailored to your test results and symptom profile, support often includes:

Nutritional therapies to replenish mitochondrial cofactors
Detoxification support if toxins are impairing energy production
Gut repair protocols to restore absorption and immune resilience
Nervous system modulation especially if the vagus nerve or parasympathetic tone is impaired
Lifestyle and pacing strategies to match your energy envelope while supporting recovery

The Functional Medicine Difference: Not One Size Fits All

One of the most powerful insights from the Myhill study is that every patient had a different pattern of dysfunction. That is why conventional medicine often falls short. It does not account for the individual biochemistry and lifestyle influences that make up your unique health story.

Functional medicine embraces that complexity and turns it into a roadmap for healing

Healing is Possible Even if You’ve Been Dismissed Before

If you are tired of being told “everything looks normal” when your energy is anything but, it is time for a different approach. At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic in Saint Paul, MN, Dr. Shannon O’Keefe DC DCBCN brings her deep expertise in functional medicine, clinical nutrition, and internal diagnostics to uncover the biochemical imbalances that may be holding you back

Dr. O’Keefe is passionate about giving patients answers and hope. She believes in personalized care, rooted in science and delivered with compassion