Graves Disease as an athlete

[gh07gh]

Hi Guys,

I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid back in early 2017 and after going up, down and over the ideal range across the spectrum i was refereed to an Endo and she subsequently diagnosed Graves disease and around 12months ago. Shortly after the diagnoses my levels plateaued and i felt the best i had for some time. Cut to today and indeed the last 2months and my levels are up and now i'm Hyper so i suspect i'll be refereed back to the Endo by the GP this coming Monday.

My original issues with my thyroid started when i reduced the amount of exercise is was doing; i played sport at an international level for 11 years so my lifestyle was built around performance.

I stopped/paused my international level sport when i started a family and that's when things changed. Since then I've continued with club level sport but my performance has been blighted by post-match muscle cramps, lack of energy and post match migraines that wipe me out for a 2-3 of days with a 'hangover'.

I still have aspirations of returning to international sport for a short period but i'm starting to think that that could well be beyond my reach now. Has anybody out there had any success with a return to competitive sport with Graves? If so what have you found helps manage your performance?

I should mention that i'm a 33 year old male😊

Thanks!

[asiatic]

Noticed you have not received any replies and you are looking for comment from other athletes. The fatigue you are experiencing is common in thyroid patients who are not optimally treated. I think if you posted a new question - Fatigue and thyroid - then gave more specific background details you would receive helpful advice.

How was your Graves diagnosed ?This needs TSI or TRAb test to confirm. Was this done ? Post any present or historic blood test results with ranges. Have you had any thyroid medication - Carbimazole or Levothyroxine? Are Vitamins optimal ? Giving this information will allow people to comment and hopefully help.

[greygoose]

I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid back in early 2017 and after going up, down and over the ideal range across the spectrum i was refereed to an Endo and she subsequently diagnosed Graves disease and around 12months ago.

That does not sound like Grave's. That sounds like Hashi's. And, it has to be said that doctors often don't know the difference, make the wrong diagnosis and prescribe the wrong treatment.

So, your first step towards returning to health is to get hold of all your blood test results, with the ranges, and post them on here. If you live in the UK, you are legally entitled to print-out. You need to know exactly what was tested and exactly what the results were.

I'm afraid I cannot make any comments on your sporting career - anyone less sporty than me you'd be hard to find! But, before you can even think about that, you need to get your health back, and the first step is the blood tests, and carry on from there.

[gh07gh]

Thanks for the replies and the advice! Back in the with the GP Monday and ill look to re-post once I have print outs of blood results!

Agin thanks for the advice, new to using thea forum!