Exercise?

[Dewberry1]

morning!

Before my hypothyroidism I was active goinf gym a few times a week etc. Since being diagnosed I attempted the gym and could just about manage a walk on the treadmill! My legs felt lile lead!

What kind of exercise do you all do? Have any of you found any that help with all the leg and other muscle pains?

Thanks

[greygoose]

Walking is the best exercise when your T3 is low, just gentle walking. Just be careful not to over-do it.

Exercise of any sort uses up your calories and your T3. If your calories are too low, it will affect your conversion of T4 to T3. And, exercising uses up your T3, so if you don't have enough T3 to start with, and then you have problems replacing it by conversion, you're going to be in trouble. You have to find the balance that suits you. Do you know your FT3 level and how well you convert?

[Dewberry1 in reply to greygoose]

Hi!

Thanks for the reply.

I don't know much at the moment as I have just been diagnosed and have been taking levo 50 for almost a month.

I am starting to feel marginally better . But still have stiff and tired legs so wanted to try swimming or yoga

[greygoose in reply to Dewberry1]

It's early days, then. Levo takes at least six weeks to be fully metabolised. And, then you're going to need an increase in dose, wait another six weeks, and test again.

Try some gentle swimming, see how it goes. Try a little yoga. Just be careful not to over-do it, for the same reasons given above. But, stay out of the gym for the time being!

[Dewberry1]

Thanks for the advice 😃

[milkwoman]

Once you are properly medicated you will be able to do more. I was fit before being diagnosed - doing HIT cardio on an elliptical trainer along with core and resistance training. I worked out 5-6 days per week, averaging 35- 45 miles per week at my peak. Then, I got sick and started to experience all sorts of symptoms such as joint pain, muscle weakness, stamina loss, fatigue, etc. Took 2 1/2 years to get diagnosed (HypoT, lupus and Sjogrens).

Lupus meds helped but I feel the most difference with Levo. Took awhile to get on proper dosing but I was able to get back into a consistent routine. I'm back to 5 days a week and I do about 18-20 miles on my elliptical at a runners pace. Also back to resistance training and core work. So it is possible!

I eat fairly clean and get lots of rest. I've been able to maintain a fit weight. My endo is aware of my workout routine and sets my dosage accordingly. I just started to add slo-release T3 to the Levo and will see if that gives me an extra boost.

Listen to your body. For me, I was never satisfied with light workouts. I like to sweat! I also like feeling strong, being fit and having toned lean muscles. I simply feel better when I workout. It's good for my joints and my state of mind. I had to take a break fur 8.5 months to heal from two surgeries and that was tough. So glad I am back into it and feeling good.

Everyone is different. What works for me may not work for you. Do what feels right for YOU. Since you are still feeling symptoms, you probably need an increased dose of Levo but it takes time to get to the proper level. You also may need T3.

[Dewberry1 in reply to milkwoman]

Hi

This was a great read. Nice to see something positive and that you are living such a active life.

TSH is 11.17 iu/l

T4 is 13.5 pmol

Feeling very stiff after a swim so will wait for the meds to kick in

Thanks!

[milkwoman in reply to Dewberry1]

Wow - yes you are def undermedicated! There are much smarter folks on here who know the number better than I.

I like a TSH near 0.1 and a FT4 near 1.1. I still have rough days (I have lupus and Sjogrens) and I do pay occasionally for trying to be so active. It took me three years to get to proper medication. I pray it doesn't take you that long! HypoT is complicated and not fun. All you can do is learn to manage, lessen your stress and do what's best for you.

Hugs. 😊

[Dewberry1 in reply to milkwoman]

I have only just been diagnosed so trying to be positive! Thank you x

[jojotwin]

Hi , i am in peri menopause an for last 18 months felt rubbish, tired, itchy skin, dry hair , hair loss , sweats at night etc - i tried loads of tablets mainly herbal to help and nothing until a friend recommended i take 5000mg of green tea daily and after 2 weeks i felt flu like symptoms for 1 day then next day it was like all my energy i had 5 years ago came back and all my other symptoms have gone - no more sweats etc , hair miles better - the green tea helps your body detox so now i always have a tablet after breakfast and it has also helped me shift some extra stubborn weight i had put on and now when i go to gym i am not exhausted and work harder as more energy. I feel fab!!! i also take 1 tablet of nutrition fx which is soya based for perimenopause and having both each day has got rid of all my peri menopause symptoms and i feel 100 % better. Neither tablet is expensive, if you go to nutrition fx website and just buy starter pack each time its cheaper and i use Natures Best website for my green tea. by the way i also suffer from under active thyroid and take 50mg of levothyroxine daily and the green tea has also helped with my metabolic rate as well and my doctor is very pleased with results.