16 replies to this topic

[elise2]

I am a keen long distance runner of 7 years(30 something years female) who was diagnosed with a hypothyroid 3 years ago. Despite alll my efforts I struggle to maintain normal energy levels to effectively and consistently train. My endocrinologist (2 that I have seen) says I should be functioning normally again now based upon my blood test results, but it has been 3 years and my energy levels and mood are still lower than they used to be. Does anyone have any advice. It would be much appreciated. Regards elise2

[Gentle Runner]

Hi Elise,

I tried messaging you but it wouldn't let me--possibly because you're such a new member? Anyway, hope you don't mind me posting this here--could be completely off track.

You mention lack of energy and low mood, though your blood tests are more normal. Wondering if you've had any thoughts that it could be a symptom of depression (low seritonin levels)? Speaking as a depression sufferer myself, when left untreated it causes a huge lack of energy and doesn't always display itself as the typical depression symptoms. Just a thought?

Rachel

[tiger angel]

Hi Elise, I was finally diagnosed in June 06 and started on 100mcg. After about 9 months that increased to 150mcg and I felt fantastic ( and over trained badly but that's another story). However my GP did a blood test and said I was going hyper so made me drop it back to 125mcg. Very soon I felt lethargic again and when I re saw the specialist he went off his brain and bumped it straight back up to 150. I feel so good (despite a pain in the butt) I'm not going to let my GP retest me!

Maybe you need to find someone who is a little more aggressive with your treatment. My specialist said the key is the T3 reading whereas most Docs just like to see the TSH within the recommended range. As a pharmacist and seeing lots of Thyroxine scripts, I know my dose tends to be higher than most.

However, it may also be worth checking for depression too as it is a well known side effect of thyroid issues.

Good luck,
TA

Edited by tiger angel, 13 May 2008 - 11:31 PM.

[brizza]

i wonder if there isn't a case here for self monitoring as in diabetes,i'm not suggesting going out and getting a blood test every day but abig training day would need more thyroid hormone than a recovery period might,i use a sports medicine physician as my gp because my big old athletes myocardium scares normal gps and they try to make me lie down while they get an ambulance.the sports doctor knows it is normal,a sports doctor may be easier to see than an endocrinologist

[IRON EAGLE]

Hi Elise

I would be happy to message you with some advice if you turn your messaging feature on

[alisonjc]

Hi Elise
I think having either a gp or a specialist who is sport-oriented would be very helpful to you. I have had Hashimoto's disease (thyroid basically eating itself, stupid thing) for about 15 years. My gp (a sports dr) tests TSH and T3 and also iron which I gather is associated with a dodgy thyroid. Low iron is certainly associated with low energy levels for me.
Very best wishes and keep us posted - don't give up, I'm sure you will find a solution

[Didge]

elise2, on May 13 2008, 12:10 PM, said:

I am a keen long distance runner of 7 years(30 something years female) who was diagnosed with a hypothyroid 3 years ago. Despite alll my efforts I struggle to maintain normal energy levels to effectively and consistently train. My endocrinologist (2 that I have seen) says I should be functioning normally again now based upon my blood test results, but it has been 3 years and my energy levels and mood are still lower than they used to be. Does anyone have any advice. It would be much appreciated. Regards elise2

Hi Elise,

Like many others here I also have Hashimoto's. I was diagnosed about 8 years ago, and honestly, it took about 3 years before they got my dosage right. Currently I'm on 200mcg a day and feeling really good. The problem is that with blood test results there is quite a large scale in what is considered "normal." So whatever is normal for someone else may not be normal for you. It is also possible that you are suffering from a little bit of depression as this is often a side effect of hypothyroidism, whether caused by Hashimoto's or an underactive thyroid.

My daughter, who is now 11, had her whole thyroid removed 2 years ago when she was 9 due to cancer, and the endocrinologist is still trying to get her medication right. Some days she takes 200mcg and other days she takes 150mcg.

I understand how frustrating it can be when the dr's tell you that you're in the normal range, but you don't feel normal at all. Keep at them. YOU know how YOU feel. Good luck

[ican]

Hi Elise

Where do you live? I'm in Melbourne and can recommend my specialist. Have been seeing him for 12 years and stable for the past 2. PM me.

[elise2]

Thankyou all for your advice. It is much appreciated. I think the crux of it is keep getting tested and making changes until I feel as good as can be. I might talk to a sports physician. I will set up an email account ASAP as I currently only have a work account. Until then I will persist with the running.

Regards

Elise

[twosheds]

Hi - someone very close to me was diagnosed with hypothyroid ( Hashimotos) at 15. Initial treatment kept her levels too low, but still within the normal range and she suffered badly. A misdiagnosis of depression/ bipolar as a result had catastrophic results. Some years later she now just finds that she needs to have her levels at the very high end of the normal spectrum. when she does she is a normal happy energetic person- when the levels drop- she has many symptoms return including mood issues, skin problems, low energy etc. She is not depressed or bipolar-she just needed for her thyroxine levels to be where she is able to feel good.
Good luck

[clairabelle]

Could anyone recommend a good sports doctor in central Sydney?

I have had my thyroid completely removed due to cancer a couple of years ago and have recently started having problems with really low energy levels (culminating in a PW, personal worst, on the weekend for the half). My tests are within the "normal" range (after being upped and downed over the past couple of years) but maybe a sports doctor might have a different idea of "normal" for a runner, being abnormal as we are

[fastguts]

I have a couple of questions for the hypothyroid CRs.

Are you taking any supplements along with your Thyroxine?
If so what are you taking?

I've been taking iron since my diagnosis and have just started Evening Primrose Oil and lyseine for my hair. I also take a multivitamin.
I had dinner with the Australian Thyroid Foundation spokesperson last night and she recommended calcium supplementation as well.

Any thoughts?
Please feel free to PM me as well.

[fastguts]

I was also told that if you have to take thyroxine you don't get hangovers??!!

[jetjackson]

So I have just been diagnosed with Hypothyroid... interestingly enough I ran my first marathon with a TSH level of 36. The endocrinologist was quite bemused. I have not really noticed all that much. Hopefully I will be able to smash out some good times with this hormone stuff.

It's good to know other runners have the same thing so there is a bit of a knowledge on it. Although I don't really fit into the demographic being 26, male, 6 foot and 74kg's. Anyway, start the script today and see how I feel in 3 weeks time.

[elli]

Hi to CR's,
I have had Hashimotos thyroiditis diagnosed and treated for 6 years now. I just want to add notes for other CR's with hypothyroid conditions.
If the endocrinologist says your T4: levels are fine and you still have symptoms seek further treatment and advice as you can still have symptoms with fine TSH levels.
I also take compounded T3 as thyroxine (t4) alone was not working for me.
I had adrenal fatigue (including insomnia and panic attacks) DHEA was prescribed for a while and helped me instantly.
I see a doctor who specialises in hormone treatments ( not an endocrinologist) and is open to treating my symptoms and not just getting the numbers right.
Soy products also reduce the function of thyroxine.
Very low iron levels also go with this condition.
Coconut milk and organic meats and vegies are beneficial to thyroid function.
Leaving consistently 1 hour between taking thryoid meds is important.
Take iron and mutivitamins at least 5 hours after medication.
Avoid cruciferous vegetables. Also can inhibit thyroid medication.
Continue to get regular blood tests, talk to doctor, endo to tweak dosage until you feel as good as you once did.

There is a lot more information than 6 years ago, however I thought I would add these pointers as it took me 6 years to work all this out and can now run as I used to. Happy running CR's.

Elli

[MrsBails]

Can anyone recommend a good specialist in Canberra?

[TheRuns]

Carolyn Droste who usually works at Calvary.