5ks, Hypothyroid and Headaches

[CBDB]

Hypo-run talk warning ⚠️ 🤣

Woke up with a tiny headache starting at the back of my head, and knew if I wouldn’t do anything about it, it would grow into a fully fledged once I had run my planned 5k.

I had read somewhere that hypos/Hashis often deplete their T3 when exercising, so therefore the advice to take it slow and aerobic. Fine with me and my Japanese slow running and Yoga.

But so this morning I had the chance and put a plan thought out prior in action and add 50% more T3 to my medication to support the running and ensure headaches are not related to T3 depletion.

Ran my lovely slow (not quite as bouncy, this time) 5k, and voila, back home and stretched and still no headache. So this might be the solution to my occurring headaches after long runs, which I always thought are running AND Thyroid related.

Run was so so, normal time. Did not feel the bounce but did feel the steady rhythm of the run. Ran to Herbie Hancock, which is not really that great running music. In Zombieland they just discovered a big CD shop, which was a laugh. So their singing was competing with Hancock!

I was also too soon too hot. When dressing, it had still looked cool outside, thus I chose a long sleeved t-shirt despite hubby suggesting I’d warm up. After telling him that in terms of clothing I was never wrong, and I had by now more than a year’s worth of experience, I slouched off long-sleeved. Of course he was right and I pulled up sleeves half way!🤣

Happy running everyone!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

Reading this, I’m actually wondering if I should be tracking my headaches and going to the doctor about then with regard to my underactive thyroid. Recently I seem to have more days with a background ‘back of the head’ headache than days without one.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Yes, maybe just explore any possible connections. I fear my experience is that GPS as well as NHS Endocrinologists have only a surface level of knowledge about hypothyroidism. So I have learned more from books and from the HU hypo forum than from doctors. But Thyroid UK keeps a list of specialists specialising on hypothyroidism that they send out on request.

Hope you find a solution for your headaches. Let’s both definitely keep monitoring it, as I think there are specific hypo-runner issues that work differently from runners that are not hypo. Forums like these are the best to see what has worked for others.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I don’t think I knew hot flushes were also a symptom, till recently and - of course - I already have plenty of those 🙁

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

💪🥵😃🥵😃🏃🏼‍♀️💪👏

( me too, I wonder how long that phase lasts)

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I’m currently on 6 years of the expletive deleted things.

[nowster Graduate10]

Interesting. The only headaches I get are sinus-related, thankfully.

The daily 100µg of L-Thyroxine I'm on seems to be keeping me stable for the moment.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

👍🏽

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Interesting. I’m a bit headache prone (not specifically running related) but this tendency definitely pre-dates my Hypothyroidism! Like nowster , I seem to be quite stable at the moment (check up not due until November🤞). Long, hard runs can give me a headache (sometimes) but equally, I can come home from work with a headache and then find it goes once a I have been out for a run! 🤷‍♀️ No idea if any of this is thyroid-related. I am just on Levothyroxine - am pretty sure I was told my uptake of T3 wasn’t a problem a few years back when I saw an endo. Glad, this worked for you though - good luck!🙂

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you. Yes, I have the added issue that I have Hashimotos, so it’s a particular kind of being hypo, and as far as I read, more unstable. So not sure how that than feeds into headaches, but I think it is the instability and the draining of T3 that is the issue for me.

So I assume that normally one can keep thyroid levels stable and this might be the case for you and @nowster ?

But bar headaches and not being able to lose weight (😤) I feel really well, nowadays that I am a runner and a Yogi 😃🧘🏼‍♂️ 😃🏃🏾‍♀️😃

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

🙂👍

[Fionamags Graduate10]

I have been hypo for many years and am pretty stable - on same Levo dose as nowster . Fortunately i am not prone to headaches but my issue is that I hit the wall very quickly. I suspect it is metabolism related as when cycling I need to take on carbs every 2 hours wheN my husband is still going strong. With longer runs I am still experimenting but suspect I need fuel after running for more than an hour. Any of you find that an issue?

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

I can't really comment as none of my runs have gone over two hours yet.

I did originally get rubber legs after doing 13km, but adding a few jelly babies to the mix has helped with that.

There's definitely some change in the metabolism that happens about 90 minutes or so into a run, probably when the glycogen stores are starting to get used up.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

I’m on just a little less than you and nowster - and I think that we are all effected so differently! I find that I run best later in the day and also if I can get out every other day, I seem to run better. I have run up to HM distance in the past and have never hit the wall - perhaps its about getting the fuelling right? On long runs I use Tailwind and power flapjacks which seem to work for me. I do think I have quite a fast metabolism despite being hypo and certainly am one of lifes grazers!!🤣

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Wow, we are quite different. Carb loading does not work for me and it feels like I need protein. I do have a protein smoothie before running more than 5k and this works great.

I don’t seem to hit any wall and can run (very slowly) for more than 2 hours without eating anything. But I think considering my weight, I can use up my fat reserves for quite some time. 😉 But I do need to be able to run that long, as a 10k takes me a bit over 2 hours with my Japanese slow jogging.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I wouldn’t say I carb load - I just eat lots generally! 🤣Lots of protein here too! 🙂

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Hmmm. Interesting! I think one of the probs with hypothyroidism is that when under/over treated it has so many poss symptoms that its easy to blame it for everything. Sounds like I just need to get the fuel right for me as clearly we really are very different. I couldn't run empty like a lot of folk on this forum do.

Hope your headache solution continues to sort the issue CBDB

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

👍🏽🙏😃

[Bracken2018]

Hi CBDB,

I too have hypothyroid issues and thrilled to read your post and those who have replied. Thank you.

I thought I was on my own and out to lunch with my thoughts around headaches and running.

How did you manage to add an extra 50% T3 ?

I had to change GP’s two years ago. I am yet to meet my new GP however, he has little interest in my Hypothyroidism 🐾

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Bracken2018]

Yeah, it’s good to know there are quite a few hypo runners, isn’t it. And these forums are great to get collective insights into what might work.

Yes, I tend to now go armed with books and graphs to any new GP and the first discussion I have with them is about if they are ok to work WITH ME on my health journey. It’s a partnership. I’ve lost one or two GPS that way, but have now one that basically ’stays out of my way’ most of the time. Sounds arrogant, but by now I have a feeling I know more about hypothyroidism than the average GP. (I’d love to be surprised by a thyroid-knowledgable GP one day, though)

You probably know there is a thyroid forum on HU which is brilliant for gaining knowledge, and although it feels caring it also feels quite bleak in there. My last post there discussing my state of my health journey is healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

But I don’t post as much over there. The running forums tend to be so much more positive and for me energising.

How do I manage increase T3? I just do. It means my prescription runs out earlier and I just ask for a new prescription sooner. I will have to have that difficult conversation with my GP soon to make them adjust the prescription to my needs, so we’ll see. I also have a little pill splitter.

If you are also on T3 (and T4?), it should now get easier, as you may have seen in the news that various companies have been successfully sued over T3 price hikes that made NHS reluctant to prescribe it, despite patients needing it. Figures I’ve seen was that the price went up by 6000% over 10 years!

Upwards and onwards! And let me know if you find a way to sort your headaches!

[Runadink Graduate10]

I am Hypothyroid and suffer with exercise enduced headaches and migraines. I found alot of it is dehydration and abviously my body chemicals get out of kilter. I really try to make sure to load up on water especially the day before and eat as soon as I get back from a run. But I also take iron, vit D and multi vitamins.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Runadink]

Yeah, me too (Vit, D, water). And I think we hypos are also more sensitive to dehydration, as that stresses the system. But I think I have ruled these out. I also get the same kind of migraines if I work late nights, and this does not involve sweating but does involve drinking lots of teas. So I think it is stress related, as you said.

I have now twice taking a crumb of T3 at the onset of a headache and this helps. So I think from what I remember reading how it works is that stress depletes T3, specifically if T4 levels are already low. (T4 converts into T3, but T4 has a half-life of 2 weeks, T3 6 hours) and the body reacts to lack of T3 with more pressure on thyroid and adrenals, starting the headache. Something like that? But I’m not an expert.

Thanks! And we’ll done for keeping up the running!