Hypothyroidism-Do any of you have it?

[denda]

I just found out today my thyroid level is a little low.
The doctor put me on levothyroxin. Does anyone out there take this and if so, can you still exercise at your same level as before? Do you have any side effects?
Thanks.

[maillotpois]

I have an autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) that causes me to be hypo (my thyroid is essentially non functioing) and I take levoxyl every day. I can't imagine there would be ANY effects from this on my ability to exercise, and indeed, I have observed none.

[makbike]

I too have Hashimoto's. My daily medication has done nothing but improve my life.

[solobiker]

I have been on thyroid medication since 1988 and it never affected my ability work out. Sometimes the dosage has to be adjusted.

[Triskeliongirl]

I also have Hashi's. Same as the others. For me, when my thyroid is undercorrected I am too tired to cycle, but with proper correction (I take a combo T4/T3 therapy) I have loads of energy.

[crazycanuck]

Another person with Hashi's. Prior to being diagnosed, I had little energy. I'm now on Eutroxig & have lots of energy.

Do not to a crazycanuck & stop taking the medication

[wnyrider]

I too have hypothyroidism. I have taken Levoxyl for over 10 years. I had been started on Synthroid originally. Even taking my medication daily religiously I never did notice great improvements in energy levels. In fact, it had even spiraled downward instead. Weight has crept up over the years. Been consistently not feeling my best. The most bothersome side effect was the hair thinning. It happens when my levels fluctuate. Thankfully it is temporary and grows back. Only a month ago I started also taking Cytomel. I am finally noticing an improvement. Whew! I even lost several pounds without making conscious diet changes. Did you find out why your thyroid level was low? Are you scheduled to have your level checked again soon after beginning the levothyroxin? I was lax in being proactive about my thyroid treatment... I wouldn't like for anyone else to do so. Good-luck!

[denda]

Thanks for all of the replies. Yes, I go back in 6 weeks to be checked again and then in a year.

[wannaduacentury]

I just found out today my thyroid level is a little low.
The doctor put me on levothyroxin. Does anyone out there take this and if so, can you still exercise at your same level as before? Do you have any side effects?
Thanks.

I do, but I was born w/o a thyroid, so I've always used thyroxin. I didn't have to make any physical exercise adjustments. I am blessed through genes w/ having a fast metabolism though, so I like that I get checkups twice a year to keep my levels even. Jenn

[omerkm1]

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with hypothyroidism. Been on a high dose of Levothyroxin ever since. I have been racing professionally during the time before and after. It took about 2yrs for the Levo to build up in my system so I could notice a difference/change. You have to eat, train etc differently than someone without thyroid problems. I would be happy to chat about it offline with anyone interested. omerkm1@yahoo.com.

[Red Rock]

How nice to find this thread. I think this is happening to me. Ugh. I must be getting older or something...I came back borderline today, will go back in 3 months for a recheck. No meds yet.

How do you deal with taking vitamins and supplememnts on this med? Exercise and diet changes? How do you deal with all of that?

Thanks for your help.

Red Rock

[JennK13]

Oh my, where to start!
Hashi's here also - if they didnt test you for autoimmune disease and only took your TSH, get your antibodies checked. I went almost 10 years on levoxyl for "just being" hypo when I do indeed have Hashi's. Although the medication is the same, the "treatment" should be different and finding a Dr to do so can be very difficult.
The medication doesnt affect my ability to exercise other than allowing me to do so, but my disease does affect me. My hashi's is pretty severe with a LOW antibody count of 900+ - I was almost 3,000 when diagnosed. Supplements and food choices do make a difference if it's autoimmune as opposed to functional hypothyroidism, so you do need to know.
Good luck, and PM me if you'd like further info. I've done tons of research to try to get well after being told I was "CRAZY" by one Dr, and several visits to the ER following my change to a new Dr as he helped me get better.

[Red Rock]

I guess I am a new student to all of this. More learning to do. I've been reading the threads on here about all of this. It is kind of scary. Diabetes and thyroid are connected? Argh. I certainly do not want that! I do have a good diet and have to have a sugar fix now and then. I hope this is not anything to major. It would be nice if it was just the thyroid.

[JennK13]

Lol - i didnt realize the age of the original thread!
There is a lot that interferes with your body's absorption of the medication. Most Drs will recommend that you take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (unless it's Armour, which can be taken with food to slow its absorption since it's a combo med)
Iron hinders absorption. I'm also anemic and take my iron in the evening with dinner.
Soy has also been shown to have an impact, and if you're autoimmune, gluten can affect you - that's why I previously said it's important to know if you're functional or autoimmune. A lot of people will recommend iodine/kelp, but again that depends on why you're hypo. Iodine can adversely affect you depending on the reason for your thyroid dysfunction.
At any rate, I take my meds right when i wake up. I avoid soy. I take my vitamins with breakfast about 2 hrs after my medication, and my iron with dinner.

[JennK13]

Unfortunately, hypothyroidism is connected to a bunch of different things, as a symptom, a result of something else, or a "companion". I have a few "minor" issues affiliated with it, and when it flares up new things present and my Dr runs new tests checking for other autoimmune diseases as it's very common for Hashis patients to have something else. Diabetes hasnt been any issue for me, though.