Running.

[Ghillykarp]

I enjoy running for leisure and do 10k most days. But my thyroid medication just keeps on rising. Does running effect the medication absorption ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ghillykarp

I think we need a bit more information before being able to make a comment.

* What are your latest thyroid test results (including reference ranges as these vary from lab to lab) for

TSH

FT4

FT3

Hard exercise depletes T3 so it's important to know all those results.

* Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested: TPO and Tg antibodies.

* Have you had nutrients tested - Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin?

* What dose of thyroid meds are you on?

* Do you have results from when dose was changed so we can see why you're given increases?

* How do you feel, have you felt you need those dose increases?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You mentioned sore tongue...can be low B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[NWA6]

You should be good if you’re optimally treated. I wonder what your results are? And do you know if your Vits/minerals are optimal?

[LeiL]

This is my situation and may not apply. What is your calorie intake? Just was told yesterday that diet deficient in calories and over exercising can result in malabsorption issues. I was on brand name only Synthroid. I switched to Tirosint Sol before getting the answer on the calorie deficit.

[CBDB]

Sorry for replying to your post after 2 months, but found it through searching. I wondered along similar lines.

I recently started running (April 2020 with C25k) and now run regularly 5k three times a week.

I have Hashimotos Hypothyroidism.

And I noticed I need more lyothyrine (T3) as otherwise i get really tired.

So I did wonder if the running basically adjusts one’s metabolism to be higher, but consequently your thyroid draws more T3/4 in order to keep the metabolism up.

For me the result was more headaches and tiredness which went away when taking a bit more T3 regularly.

So that was my un-expert interpretation of what was going on with my body, but would love to hear other experiences on this. Have you found out?