Hashimotos, adrenals and returning to exercise.

[MikeR]

I suffer with Hashimotos. I have been struggling for 2 years now. I haven't bottomed out my correct dose but have made some progress in recent weeks.

I take 3 grains of NDT, 2 Nutriadrenal extra, probotics, HCL, vit D and B12. All in a good range including ferritin.

I also take ProgestE and this has improved things no end. I started this in the last month. Before Xmas I developed a lump in my breast and last week i was sent to the breast clinic where the lump had virtually disappeared. I still notice it's there.

I have read that cystic breast disease can develop as a consequence of Hashimotos and estrogen dominance. The taken of the ProgestE appears to have helped here.

I was always a very active individual prior to the onset of this disease and have tried without success to do any physical activity beyond short walks without having an adverse reaction to it in the form of flu like symptoms and generally feeling under medicated. In truth i have lost my confidence and scared to attempt to try.

I wonder if anyone who has Hashimotos, has been identified with adrenal fatigue (Dr P) has successfully managed to return to running, weight training, yoga and if so did you follow a protocol or have some tips for me.

Thanks.

Mike

[Josiesmum]

The advice I have read suggests that stretching, light weight training and yoga are best for building up strength, avoiding any exercise that tires you out and stresses the body until you have built up greater resilience.

[shaws]

Gentle exercise can be done until you reach an optimum of hormone replacement.

As T3 is the only active hormone required in our receptor cells to enable our metabolism to function normally, exercising can reduce our T3 which, in turn, can make us feel not too good.

[radd]

Mike,

Because of the insidious nature of Hashimotos, it can takes many months to recover what we have lost slowly over the years.

Have you addressed all gut issues and allowed the adrenals a properly resting time ? ? . ie 6-12 months ? ? .. If you are feeling unwell after pushing exercise, I would say it is still to soon and more gentle exercise such as yoga or pilates would be more suited.

T4 has to be converted to T3 in various organs and peripheral tissues in the body to become the active hormone driving our metabolism and giving muscle strength. However, if low or used too quickly depleting levels, it can be difficult to rebuild.

By starting exercise slowly you give time for T3 levels to build, allowing more cell receptors to accept the T3, and more protein synthesis that allows the muscle growth. NDT needs to reach the muscles, be released from its binding proteins and carried inside the cells by receptors on the cell membrane. Once inside the nucleus the T3 (found in NDT) can bind to genes increasing protein synthesis, and in the mitochondria that are the power factories burning calories (in the presence of oxygen to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATh). There are a lot of stages to be rebuilt and many more that can go wrong.

Low thyroid hormone will compromise the adrenal glands by using excess cortisol instead. As the adrenals release hormone in response to any stress including exercise, you may exacerbate the problem. I read somewhere that in a healthy person, cortisol kicks in after about 40 minutes of intense training but in compromised adrenals it is much faster and will supply adrenaline if cortisol is in short supply. Constant elevated glucocorticoids (such as cortisol ) will encourage protein breakdown and interfere with the HPA axis and good thyroid hormone synthesis.

Also, overtraining can lead activation of the immune system and may be responsible for your flu-like symptoms. An altered immune status is known to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, thereby altering thyroid function.

Medicating initially T4 + T3 and then NDT has given me back my energy but it was a good 1-2 years before I could do cardiovascular exercise as my improvement was so progressively slow..

I believe the longer I medicate NDT, the fitter I become, which concurs with T3 increasing the number and size of the mitochondria, which further serves to increase BMR, etc ... and so general well being.

[MikeR]

Thanks for the replies. I have not tired as such. I have been taking NDT from the outset. Decided to self medicate as my GP was arsing about. Been taking TR since Dec 2015. Recently was over medicated t4 22, T3 8 TSH suppressed. Blue horizon blood ranges. That was on 3.75 grains. I seemed to have skimmed over my sweet spot mistaking more as too little. Dropped back to 2.75 grains and felt rubbish. On 3 now and feel pretty good.

Doing the exercise isn't the issues i can do most things with ease i just have retribution from the old Jap.

For example i was able to run 7.5 minute miles, do a marathon in 3hours 20 minutes. Yoga was a tough hour. I have competed in triathlons.

I have read many people who manage to get back to running. Which is my drug of choice. I realise that i probably won't get back to my old ways, that isn't really a worry. I merely want to jog 9 -10 minute miles would be wonderful over a 5 mile distance a few times a week would kind of give me my life back.

I am cognisant of even trying. I am sensing my adrenals are benefitting from the progesterone.

I am off skiing next Sunday and have already been once this year managed to ski 40 Kms per day without too much difficulty, came back with a cold which buggered me up. Suspect reduced immunity because of the exercise.

I guess the only way to see if i can do it is go and do some light stuff in the gym. Stretching, low weights, a little stuff on the hand cycle, treadmill. Say 40 minutes tops.

Thanks for any tips.

[MikeR]

So does taking say an extra 1/2 a grain help? I can see how the body's reserves of T3 (fuel tank) would empty and that indebtedness would lead to feeling pretty second hand until the equilibrium is restored. Maybe I could up my dose for a few days. I have noticed from my log that it takes a few days for the effects of 1/2 a grain to be felt one way or another. This way I could plan my dosage around specific exercise days...

How long do we think that it takes to have the body repair itself. I have heard 12-18 months on a therapeutic dose. I have been on 3 grains or more now for around 9 months. I did look at some other posts on here and folk looked to take a bit of T3 prior to exercise although it didn't look to be a sure fire bet!

Thanks for any replies.

[Stourie in reply to MikeR]

Just a suggestion but have you thought of taking some t3 on days that you want to do physical exercise. I think I have heard of that from others but not sure about how you would be on t3.

Jo xx

[MikeR in reply to Stourie]

Thank you Jo, I am of that opinion too. I know where to obtain it. I can just use and extra 1/2 a grain as that will imbibe another 4.5mgs of T3 and 16mgs of T4. I need to experiment.

I am off skiing next week for three days I may just try then for the days I am active.