Thyroid condition - Triathlon Week

04-03-2005, 01:16 PM

Wondering if anyone else is competing with a thyroid condition. I've
recently been diagnosed and have just been getting advice obviously
geared toward only non- or recreational-athletes (like, drop carbs to
5-10% of your diet, etc), and am looking to talk to other high level
triathletes to for some advice. Feel free to email me off-list as well.

Thanks,
Amie

04-04-2005, 07:55 AM

Amie,
my condition is probably different from yours, but I'll just throw it
out there and home you can take somthing from it:
I am a 42 yo male with hypothyroidism (failing thyroid), for which I
have to take sytroid daily (little white pill, no big deal) for the
rest of my life. WHen it "gfails completely" the Dr. will just triple
my dose. Anyway, I have noticed just a slight energy boost from this
medication (I guess putting me at "normal" levels) and my diet has
changed not one bit, nor am I told I have to change anything.
>From what I read about thyroid disorders and athletes is diferent for
everybody.

d

04-04-2005, 07:58 AM

Amie,
my condition is probably different from yours, but I'll just throw it
out there and hope you can take somthing from it:
I am a 42 yo male with hypothyroidism (failing thyroid), for which I
have to take synthroid daily (little white pill, no big deal) for the
rest of my life. When it "fails completely", which can only be detected
via a semi-annual blood test, the Dr. will just triple my dose. Anyway,
I have noticed just a slight energy boost from this medication (I guess
putting me at "normal" levels) and my diet has changed not one bit, nor
am I told I have to change anything.
>From what I read about thyroid disorders and athletes it is more unique
with men than women.

d

04-04-2005, 10:14 PM

Thanks so much for your response. I spoke with another woman, a
distance runner, who said the same about diet and energy levels. She
has hashimoto's, perhaps similar to what you have. For me, they don't
know the reason why things aren't working so well; but it's taking a
long time to get things stabilized (am now on a medication called
Armour) and i've had to put training on hold as a result.

It's good to hear your diet hasn't changed. If I had to do one of these
low-carb diets like people are so quick to suggest, that would end my
sports career pretty much completely!! Finding information, or more
like, sorting through what is valid for athletic people, is very
difficult.

Thanks,
Amie

04-11-2005, 06:28 PM

Greetings fellow thyroid slackers,

I have had a bum thyroid since 1992. Since then I have taken Synthroid
(generic now available). My dosage changed for about 3 years until it
plateaued. Within a year after diagnosis I had lost the 15 pounds I had
gained. Since then I have my yearly check ups and have trained off and on
since then in rowing and now triathlon. This includes 4 half marathons and
a full marathon.

I have always felt normal (except when I forget for 2-4 days in a row :-)
and have never felt weak or lacking, except when I don't train :-)

I can't speak for highly trained athletes but it is mostly a nuisance to me.

Good luck!

Charles

p.s. One doc said it was Hashimoto's but others have differed. Ironically I
have had symptoms of an autoimmune disorder since I was 13 but no doc ever
caught it (now 35).

p.p.s Definitely do the update checkups, a couple years ago my doc found me
overdosed due to some slightly high blood pressure. Since then I have been
great 115/70, 54 hr.