Hypothyroidism riders out there?

observeroffacts
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observeroffacts
Edited Date/Time 8/2/2018 10:39am
Any of you guys have hypothyroidism or buddies that do and are able to ride? I was diagnosed 3 years ago and my energy level is shot. Can’t do much aerobic activity without serious fatigue.

I know Andrew Short was diagnosed one of the last years of his outdoor career. The disease also affects everyone a little differently but I can’t seem to shake the whole body fatigue.
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lostboy819
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lostboy819 7/31/2018 1:35pm
7/31/2018 1:35pm
I had radiation to kill my thyroid and now take a Levothyroxine pill every day and I am fine. Trying to treat hypothyroidism wasn't working for me so i went the kill the sucker route and I am good to go. My hypothyroidism was also contributing to afib but now everything is where is should be.
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chrisg19
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chrisg19 7/31/2018 2:40pm
7/31/2018 2:40pm
I have been Hypthyroid for probably close to 20 years. This disease is a bitch. Just make sure your levels are optimized, and I have had much greater success with a naturally dessicated thyroid (armour, Naturethroid, west throid, etc.) than with Levothyroxine alone. Levothyroxine depends on your thyroid to convert T4 to T3, but your thyroid is already struggling, so why count on it to do that. Many people find that a combination of Levothyroxine, and a T3 (Cytomel) help significantly. Find a Doctor who is willing to try different medicines, and not just Synthroid. Good Luck, you will never feel as though you had no thyroid issues, but you can get pretty close to feeling well.
Sully
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Sully 7/31/2018 4:41pm
7/31/2018 4:41pm
I have a reasonably mild case (only taking 137mcg of Synthroid), but mine doesn't bother me at all. In fact, if my doc hadn't done a blood test on me for something unrelated, I probably wouldn't have known about it until it was too late, because I didn't/still don't have any of the normal tired/weight gain symptoms.
observeroffacts
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observeroffacts 7/31/2018 4:57pm
7/31/2018 4:57pm Edited Date/Time 7/31/2018 4:57pm
chrisg19 wrote:
I have been Hypthyroid for probably close to 20 years. This disease is a bitch. Just make sure your levels are optimized, and I have had...
I have been Hypthyroid for probably close to 20 years. This disease is a bitch. Just make sure your levels are optimized, and I have had much greater success with a naturally dessicated thyroid (armour, Naturethroid, west throid, etc.) than with Levothyroxine alone. Levothyroxine depends on your thyroid to convert T4 to T3, but your thyroid is already struggling, so why count on it to do that. Many people find that a combination of Levothyroxine, and a T3 (Cytomel) help significantly. Find a Doctor who is willing to try different medicines, and not just Synthroid. Good Luck, you will never feel as though you had no thyroid issues, but you can get pretty close to feeling well.
Thanks for the reply guys! It’s been a real bitch for me as well. I do need to get on Armour, as I’ve been on Levo for 3 years and feel like I’m running at 40% all the time.

The Shop

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plowboy
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plowboy 7/31/2018 5:06pm
7/31/2018 5:06pm
This is a sore subject with me. My wife was diagnosed in her early 20's. She's been on synthroid ever since. Problem is, she gets her level tested and two weeks later gets an adjusted dose, by which time her levels have changed again. They should have developed a home daily test like diabetes testing years ago. My oldest daughter also is afflicted. She can't tolerate synthroid and has to take Armour but it's more expensive so it's a constant fight with the insurance company. I'll stop here or a rant will ensue.

For those unfamiliar with the outward expressions of hypo/hyper thyroidism...just imagine uber bi-polar....super energetic highs and days of nothing but sleep. Moods that follow. I'm guessing since it's a chronic and not acute disease it doesn't get the funding/attention it should.
motomike894
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motomike894 7/31/2018 5:12pm
7/31/2018 5:12pm
I’ve been on levothyroxine since I was 18, I’m 37, it hasn’t affected me in anyway that I can tell since I’ve taken meds, my dosage has been adjusted few times I get it checked once year, if it’s off I can tell, I get more tired etc.

That aside since my late teens I’ve been fat and only way I can lose weight is to half starve myself and workout a ton, I’m assuming my thyroid issue doesn’t help, and I’m an active person but here I am still fat as hell lol
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chrisg19
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chrisg19 7/31/2018 5:17pm
7/31/2018 5:17pm
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how much money the makers of Synthroid spend each year to Doctors Association, Lobbyists, etc. The average Dr. only knows Synthroid, and there are many newer Drs. Who have no idea what Naturrally Dessicated Thyroid is. They look at one number, TSH, and determine your levels based on that. They need to look at so many other numbers, and they just see high TSH and write a script for that. Then when you tell them you still don’t feel well, they say it’s all in your head. You need to find a Dr who treats how you feel, not what an arbitrary number says. Having been dealing with this for so long, it just gets infuriating for me.
chrisg19
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chrisg19 7/31/2018 5:22pm
7/31/2018 5:22pm
Ok last post, but if you want a good site with good information about being Hypothyroid, check out this link. Lots of helpful info in there....

Mary Shomon Site
Crush
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Crush 7/31/2018 5:41pm
7/31/2018 5:41pm Edited Date/Time 7/31/2018 5:42pm
My Wife has issues with her thyroid too. Diet is the biggest thing for her, eat clean and find a med program that works for you and you’re good. Bread and anything gluten has to go.

You guys have much more up to date treatment schedules there in terms of medication, we are lagging a bit. But diet is huge.
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plowboy 7/31/2018 5:48pm
7/31/2018 5:48pm
chrisg19 wrote:
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how...
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how much money the makers of Synthroid spend each year to Doctors Association, Lobbyists, etc. The average Dr. only knows Synthroid, and there are many newer Drs. Who have no idea what Naturrally Dessicated Thyroid is. They look at one number, TSH, and determine your levels based on that. They need to look at so many other numbers, and they just see high TSH and write a script for that. Then when you tell them you still don’t feel well, they say it’s all in your head. You need to find a Dr who treats how you feel, not what an arbitrary number says. Having been dealing with this for so long, it just gets infuriating for me.
What country do you live in my brother? I can't remember a doctor in the last 15 to 20 years that gave a f@$k about anything other than getting as much out of your insurance as possible and getting you out the door to get to the next patient. This is the rant I didn't want.
plowboy
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plowboy 7/31/2018 5:52pm
7/31/2018 5:52pm
chrisg19 wrote:
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how...
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how much money the makers of Synthroid spend each year to Doctors Association, Lobbyists, etc. The average Dr. only knows Synthroid, and there are many newer Drs. Who have no idea what Naturrally Dessicated Thyroid is. They look at one number, TSH, and determine your levels based on that. They need to look at so many other numbers, and they just see high TSH and write a script for that. Then when you tell them you still don’t feel well, they say it’s all in your head. You need to find a Dr who treats how you feel, not what an arbitrary number says. Having been dealing with this for so long, it just gets infuriating for me.
plowboy wrote:
What country do you live in my brother? I can't remember a doctor in the last 15 to 20 years that gave a f@$k about anything...
What country do you live in my brother? I can't remember a doctor in the last 15 to 20 years that gave a f@$k about anything other than getting as much out of your insurance as possible and getting you out the door to get to the next patient. This is the rant I didn't want.
I need to add this to my above statement. There are GOOD doctors in my area. Trouble is....the receptionist says, "Sorry, the doctor is not accepting new patients at this time". That's how you know he's worth a shit and cares.
observeroffacts
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observeroffacts 7/31/2018 6:00pm
7/31/2018 6:00pm
chrisg19 wrote:
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how...
Actually here is the biggest problem in my opinion, Synthroid, and the money they pay to have their product as the “only” treatment. Look up how much money the makers of Synthroid spend each year to Doctors Association, Lobbyists, etc. The average Dr. only knows Synthroid, and there are many newer Drs. Who have no idea what Naturrally Dessicated Thyroid is. They look at one number, TSH, and determine your levels based on that. They need to look at so many other numbers, and they just see high TSH and write a script for that. Then when you tell them you still don’t feel well, they say it’s all in your head. You need to find a Dr who treats how you feel, not what an arbitrary number says. Having been dealing with this for so long, it just gets infuriating for me.
plowboy wrote:
What country do you live in my brother? I can't remember a doctor in the last 15 to 20 years that gave a f@$k about anything...
What country do you live in my brother? I can't remember a doctor in the last 15 to 20 years that gave a f@$k about anything other than getting as much out of your insurance as possible and getting you out the door to get to the next patient. This is the rant I didn't want.
plowboy wrote:
I need to add this to my above statement. There are GOOD doctors in my area. Trouble is....the receptionist says, "Sorry, the doctor is not accepting...
I need to add this to my above statement. There are GOOD doctors in my area. Trouble is....the receptionist says, "Sorry, the doctor is not accepting new patients at this time". That's how you know he's worth a shit and cares.
That’s been my experience with every good specialist as well, they won’t get me in
TJMX947
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TJMX947 7/31/2018 6:18pm
7/31/2018 6:18pm Edited Date/Time 8/1/2018 4:34am
Hey guys, i was recently diagnosed with hypothyroid and have been taking 125mcg of Lthrox daily. I honestly didn't know I was suffering from hypothyroid or could really tell. I just thought I was tired because I have a wide open toddler son. My ridi g in recent years has suffered and I hinestly took a few months off the bike to sort out other health issues, my hands were going numb which was actually b12 deficiency.

Question for you all, how many of you are overweight? I was in great shape until I was 22 years old, weighed 175lbs but I started indulging in the college life. By 23 I was 190lbs. By 25 I was 220lbs. By 30 I was 260. Went on a really strict diet and got back down to 215lbs by 30.5 years old. Started packing the weight back on and by 34 I was 305. Lost about 20 lbs so Im currently 285lbs. Just wanted to see if its affected your weight and If I can look forward to a better metabolism once my levels are optimized.
Permeance_Flux 7/31/2018 8:49pm
7/31/2018 8:49pm
I have had it for roughly 3-4 years. Going to get more blood work done soon but past tests have shown my levels remain off. My energy levels were pretty low for a while until I got on levothyroxine.
I work a physical job right now while going to school and my energy has been good for the most part. Although I find that I need to drink at least a gallon of water a day to keep me going. I feel that my cardiovascular training has been sustained as well as my explosiveness.
Here is me training to dunk at 5’10.
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lostboy819
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lostboy819 7/31/2018 9:43pm
7/31/2018 9:43pm Edited Date/Time 7/31/2018 9:43pm
observeroffacts wrote:
Any of you guys have hypothyroidism or buddies that do and are able to ride? I was diagnosed 3 years ago and my energy level is...
Any of you guys have hypothyroidism or buddies that do and are able to ride? I was diagnosed 3 years ago and my energy level is shot. Can’t do much aerobic activity without serious fatigue.

I know Andrew Short was diagnosed one of the last years of his outdoor career. The disease also affects everyone a little differently but I can’t seem to shake the whole body fatigue.
When I was being treated when my Thyroid was active and they were trying to treat it I could not walk more than a block and then I was winded and if it was even a small hill I was worse, so I feel your pain. Once they gave me radiation to kill the thyroid and I was on the right level of levo 125mcg per day I felt great and can ride and run and do everything with out the fatigue. I am at 190lbs at age 56 where I was close to 240lbs before, but I am active again. CoolCool Once its figured out you will be good to go so stay positive. I like it better when its called hypothyroidism better than Graves disease which is the other name Pinch
brimx153
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brimx153 8/1/2018 4:33am
8/1/2018 4:33am
I have Been on med s for it a good few year s .does nt affect me much . The only this is weight .I use to be skinny until 23 I could eat and eat never put up weight .now unless I really eat well I put on weight very easy considering the amount out exercise I do any way. It just makes it harder to keep weight down . Then again if I eat 100 % right I could be skinny.
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Preston412
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Preston412 8/1/2018 6:50am
8/1/2018 6:50am
I have hypothyroidism (31 yrs) and have been on ever product available from 50 to 90mcg. The best one on the market that makes me feel like I have no problem is Armour Thyroid which is not a synthetic and comes from a pig gland. Energy level is normal, depression is gone and motivation is great.
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rucka356
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rucka356 8/1/2018 11:25am
8/1/2018 11:25am
On a serious note you may need to have your testosterone levels checked.

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Knobbyjake
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Knobbyjake 8/1/2018 11:52am
8/1/2018 11:52am
This thread is a breakthrough for me. My doctor just put me on Synthroid 2 weeks ago. I have all the symptoms described here. My previous doctor said I had depression. I've tried so many meds and nothing has helped. Now I'm hoping this prescription does something. He told me to give it 3 weeks. Fingers crossed.
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observeroffacts
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observeroffacts 8/1/2018 1:02pm
8/1/2018 1:02pm Edited Date/Time 8/1/2018 1:03pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
This thread is a breakthrough for me. My doctor just put me on Synthroid 2 weeks ago. I have all the symptoms described here. My previous...
This thread is a breakthrough for me. My doctor just put me on Synthroid 2 weeks ago. I have all the symptoms described here. My previous doctor said I had depression. I've tried so many meds and nothing has helped. Now I'm hoping this prescription does something. He told me to give it 3 weeks. Fingers crossed.
It took me more like 6 weeks every time I’ve changed dosage for things to “normalize”. I still haven’t overcome the fatigue but there are months here and there where I can function somewhat normally

Doctors simply do not listen.
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mxbrian15
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mxbrian15 8/1/2018 5:59pm
8/1/2018 5:59pm Edited Date/Time 8/2/2018 3:23am
observeroffacts wrote:
Any of you guys have hypothyroidism or buddies that do and are able to ride? I was diagnosed 3 years ago and my energy level is...
Any of you guys have hypothyroidism or buddies that do and are able to ride? I was diagnosed 3 years ago and my energy level is shot. Can’t do much aerobic activity without serious fatigue.

I know Andrew Short was diagnosed one of the last years of his outdoor career. The disease also affects everyone a little differently but I can’t seem to shake the whole body fatigue.
I actually talked to Andrew’s trainer at the time, coach Segi. He stated that Andrew was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but that it eventually went away and his TSH levels are normal without medication.

I was diagnosed 10 years ago (now I’m 31). Once my levels evened out, I have been much better and feel normal. Took about 6 months for me.

I actually won one of my hardest off-road championships after I was diagnosed, so there is hope for those that are nervous when first diagnosed. With consistent levels, I am pretty much back to normal. Find the brand that works best for you, for me it was eventually synthroid, and stick to it. Once your levels even out, get checked twice a year.

Good luck!
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Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 8/2/2018 9:31am
8/2/2018 9:31am
Wow, I had no idea Hypothyroidism was this common. I got diagnosed when I was 14, my numbers were so low my doc almost fell out of her chair. I take 225mcg daily, and get my blood tested once a year to see how my numbers are.

I just remember how shitty, tired, and cold I was before I got diagnosed. My doc put me on meds and slowly increased the dose for a year or so and I remember how much energy I had and how great I felt when I finally got normalized.
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OW38B
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OW38B 8/2/2018 9:32am
8/2/2018 9:32am
Levothyroxine 100 mcg every day for the last 10 or so years........

It never affected my riding, but I was diagnosed after rapid weight gain.
TJMX947
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TJMX947 8/2/2018 10:32am
8/2/2018 10:32am
Any of you guys experience rapid weight gain, then get normalized and find that it was easy to shed the pounds?
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JBernard_401
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JBernard_401 8/2/2018 10:39am
8/2/2018 10:39am Edited Date/Time 8/2/2018 10:39am
Where were you guys at on TSH levels? I'm at 5.5 right now which is out of range (0-4.5), but not a ton it seems compared to a lot of people. Contemplating jumping on some medication but not if its going to mean meds for the rest of my life just to drop it a point or 2 and not feel a ton different.
Also it seems that as years go by the 'ideal' number keeps dropping. Seems like 2.0'ish is ideal levels.
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