hi all, first post here!
I have hypothyroidism, diagnosed in 2014.
it is managed reasonably well with levothyroxine.
i really want to start Sea swimming s as I live by the coast. I’ve heard it’s not a good idea with hypothyroidism as it raises your TSH too much.
can anyone offer any advice or their own experience. I don’t want to make things worse for myself…not just coldness but long term effects of a yo yo TSH.
any advice would be really appreciated.
thank you, Kate
I’ve looked at studies on cold exposure and TSH, it raises TSH just a little. I would give it a try and see how you do. I don’t think small changes in TSH will be a problem but you might feel cold or have to raise your thyroid hormone dose a tiny bit.
thanks so much for replying. Can I ask if you know how TSH levels change with cold water swimming? Hoping to carry it in through winter! Thank you
It makes some sense as being cold & exercising uses up more FT3. So the TSH would rise to try & bring up levels.
My friend who has many health issues but not thyroid has taken up daily cold showers & river swimming, & says it gives her a literal rush. She says she has an extraordinary energy compared to before & is now so full of energy she started partying, travelling to adventurous locations & jumping out of aeroplanes (for charity) still I’m somewhat concerned - but she it happy and says it’s the best thing she done for her physical & mental health.
You can’t control / manipulate TSH with treatment or actions as is responds to thyroid levels (unless it never responds at all -my case-) So your levels fluctuated previously but that could be for all sorts of reasons.
Why are you only “reasonably” managed. Tell GP you want to be excellently managed & completely well, please & thank you.
Have you had full testing? Function, antibodies & nutrients?
Why not try the swimming & if it creates an abundance of courage - use it to fight for better treatment.
If we have a shortage of thyroid hormones we get cold, so it is reasonable (and logical) to reason that when our bodies get significantly colder, we need more of them to increase our metabolism, and warm us up. And if we need more of them, TSH goes up in order to tell the body/brain to produce more.
I finish each shower by turning it cold for a minute of two, and it is wonderful. I stay warm for ages compared to getting out of a hot shower in the winter.
I also live by the sea, but would not swim in it as we have a nuclear power station in fairly close proximity.
Dear CMM22
I have been a open water swimmer for many years now. And thyroid sufferer. OW swimming is wonderful. I swim in my local river twice a week with a group of like minded people, it does me the world of good both physically and mentally. I find a cope much better with the cold than I did before I was an OW swimmer. I’m also an OW coach. My advice would be to do an open water induction course , many centres will offer this at this time of year. If not, NOWCA offer an online course. It will give you further knowledge as to what to do in the early stages. I would recommend you buy a wetsuit, For added buoyancy and warmth, Plenty available to suit your budget. The other purchase I would suggest is a tow float. Never swim on your own, find a local group who will be happy to help support you. Enjoy. 🏊🏻♀️💦👍
I sea swim from June to October when I’m in Ireland. Honestly it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve only been doing it 2 years now. If you wanted to take it up I’d say wait until the water warms up a bit and then start. You’ll give up if you go now as water is getting colder. I swim in the Atlantic and it’s Baltic , lol, even in the summer. Well it is to me as I’m always cold. I love it and it makes me feel so great afterwards. I don’t know if it raises my TSH as I only get tested once a year anyway in January.
Good luck
Hi Kate, I know that fear of messing up the very delicate balance - I wondered the same thing (and still do sometimes!) but it doesn’t stop me. I find the total body-boost a sea swim gives is worth the risk. I’ve been winter sea swimming for the last 3 years and it’s an absolutely wonderful tonic for wellness. The benefits far outweigh the chill factor. If I follow it with a brisk walk and a hot shower, the internal heating system kick starts and all is very well indeed. My thyroid levels and wellness are in balance at the moment (🤞🤞🤞) but in the past few years since I started winter swimming they weren’t and no question but the energy boost sea swimming gave, helped me feel more able for each day! I’d say go for it!…….. while continuing to keep support of your body and thyroid clearly in focus. I know regular nutrient testing and boosting was really a game changer for me. Enough but not too much t3 & t4 (I was on slightly too much Thybon and didn’t realise the impact until I lowered it by 5 and waited 6 wks - like magic, symptoms cleared and I could sleep again👏🏻🙌) ) Eating consciously to support the thyroid AND reading this super informative thread as often as you can!
There is a group who swim every day in the sea, they are called The Bluetits. Just thought I would add that to make you smile.
Check your area hasn't had raw sewage pumped into the sea.
I've had hypothyroidism for 20 years and sea swimming is by far the best thing i've done to ease symptoms. I started swimming only in the summer a few years ago but after reading 'Winter Swimming' by a swedish doctor I've decided to keep it going. I have swam in the sea (scotland) most days this year and am absolutely addicted. Since the water got a bit colder in the last few weeks, the benefits have ramped up. The rush of energy lasts all day. I get so lifted by it. I definitely don't feel as cold generally. After the initial cold shock (20-30 seconds) it triggers the parasympathetic system and releases dopamine and other happy hormones. You soon feel numb to the cold and it's amazing. It kicks the body into using all the systems we generally don't use enough in our overly comfortable lives. It increases metabolism, mood, energy, immune response, it's good for the arteries, heart, brain......do it!
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