Does exercise help the thyroid ?

[Bigsi]

Does high intensity, and weight training have any effect in helping Hypothyroid conditions ?

Thanks, James

[ThyroidHell]

I think its other way round ..high intensity anyways. It certainly affects Adrenal glands and that in turn affects thyroid hormone production as these two glands hormone production is connected... please google it its there in black and white.

[marram]

ThyroidHell is right. there have even been instances where athletes have had temporary thyroid problems because or over-intensive training.

chriskresser.com/why-you-ma...

[Bigsi]

Thank you for the link. I understand the risks of over training, but wondered about the benefit of training in regard to helping hypothyroid condition ?

I have tried searching the net, but I tend to confuse myself even more !

[Fruitandnutcase]

I kept going to the gym even when I was at my worst with Graves (overactive with antibodies - but I went from hyper to hypo for a couple of months too)

I would never say I did high intensity workouts though. I also kept up with my Pilates. I reduced the weights / intensity on everything I did but I enjoyed going because of the people I met there.

I don't know whether it helped me or not, I was feeling pretty ill at the time but just getting there, doing something physical and meeting friends helped. Before i became ill I used to go for huge long walks and for a while I had to stop those although I tried to do a few gentle walks just so that I could feel alive and that I wasn't letting the Graves destroy everything I used to enjoy.

I don't think pushing yourself or trying to do what you used to do before you became ill will do your body any good. What I did certainly didn't do me any harm though. Are there any personal trainers at your gym or even someone who has been trained to deal with medical referrals? They could maybe help you. My Pilates teacher is a qualified physiotherapist and was / is very knowledgeable about my condition. Someone like that would be a help to you I imagine.

Good luck

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

This recent post of mine, though it might not be obvious from its title, might help to answer:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Rod

[Clutter]

High intensity activity for me is getting out of bed and getting dressed

[puncturedbicycle]

Just before my hypo dx, I had a funny turn in the gym. I did my full session on the treadmill okay but suddenly just felt completely drained, like I might not be able to stand. I sat in my car for a while, thinking I might not be able to drive myself home.

Normally I felt relaxed and refreshed after the gym. It was so odd that I wondered if I had a virus. I took a week off from exercise thinking I needed some rest but never managed to go back to it properly. I just felt flattened. Dx maybe a year later. I often wonder if there was some connection.

I'd been properly active (classes, personal trainer, etc) for about six months so it wasn't like I had only just got off the sofa. I'm pretty good at pacing myself - I don't push hard, I'm not competitive - and it wasn't like I was doing something I wasn't able to do. I just seemed to suddenly empty of energy.

Only got back to running at the end of last summer - five years later - after starting t3, but only felt well enough to do it for about two months. Hoping I can get back to it in the spring.

[Bigsi in reply to puncturedbicycle]

I have not been officially diagnosed, just had one blood test showing high TSH, but I have been on a pretty intense three week program which mixes weight training, and high intensity cardio.

When I have done a session, I am shattered, but I always wear a heart monitor, and don't go over my 85% bpm limit. I can feel myself getting fitter, and stronger, have another blood test next week.so will see what that shows.

James

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Bigsi]

Good luck!

[galathea in reply to Bigsi]

I worked out with a trainer about 5 years ago, three times a week. Instead of getting easier, the sessions took me longer and longer to get over. I eventually gave up and took a saliva adrenal test. I had good cortisol levels in the morning, but they plummeted to sleep levels by 11 am. Intensive exercise stresses the adrenals. It took me two years of taking hydrocortisone and being ultra careful about taking enough vit c and the b's before I was able to properly exercise again I now go to classes at the gym and do one session a week with a trainer. If I feel it warrants it, I stress dose with cortisone for things like dental visits.

[Mia1057]

I was told by my doc to stop any training and to do low impact walking, yoga or swimming instead but nothing to excess.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Mia1057]

How unusual. Do you like your doc? Doesn't sound like the usual gp/endo.

[Yana]

This is a previous post I sent to a person with similar problems.

The only thing I can add is I now concentrate more on the weights than on the cardio.

I'm currently reading a book called "fat a round the middle" the author said for every lb of muscle you have your burn 75 calories a day for every lb of fat you have you burn 8 calories a day.

Having worked in the fitness industry for many years exercise has always played a part in my life. About 2 years ago I was running 20 miles a week. You would have thought that I would sleep like a log but this was the opposite, I was often waking up in the night. Now I am on optimal thyroid medication and have stopped the aggressive exercise regime I sleep really well.

I still exercise, but a more gentile approach. I am now convinced too much exercise can cause adrenal insufficiency and for me it's had a detrimental effect on my thyroid. In fact I'm slimmer now than when I was exercising so much.

I try to eat a good diet and avoid sugar whenever possible as this can also cause insomnia.

See the link below.

webmd.com/sleep-disorde...

[Hidden]

hi, i was always fit and running around everywhere but thyroid put pay to that,now i have found that i cant do high impact training any more as i get fatigued very quicky and pay for it for days after,so now i go on you tube and do 15 min workouts all different ones depending on how im feeling and do anything from 15min to an hour of low impact,pilates,trampet,and weights but not heavy and i cycle at wkends and i have found that if i take amino acids after exercise this helps me,and this keeps me toned and averagely fit,im on armour thyroid 2 grain,i watch what i eat and am 8 and half stone 5"7.if you want anymore info please ask.