Exercising with Hypothyroidism

Posted by baileydesouza @baileydesouza, Jul 13, 2011

Looking for fellow patients to share experiences with on how to maintain an exercise schedule given the fatigue

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I am going to the doctor soon and I had a long list of complaints that I was going to share with my doctor. I was terrified that the doctor was going to think I was crazy or being a hypochondriac. A close friend told me to ask about Hypothyroidism, and after doing some research, I found that 99% of my symptoms fit this. I am just worried that the test will come back negative and I will be back at square 1.
I have been gaining weight for several years, even though my eating habits hasn't changed. In the past year, I have lost 5 pounds. I was exercising daily, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then the elliptical for 30 minutes. I would swim laps in our pool, and I began a very tight eating schedule. I haven't lost anything. It is heartbreaking, and it makes me wonder why even try. I stay so tired all the time from exercising, and then not sleeping well at night. Everyone says I am a heavy sleeper, but if that is the case, wouldn't I feel more refreshed each day?

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@k0silv01

I am going to the doctor soon and I had a long list of complaints that I was going to share with my doctor. I was terrified that the doctor was going to think I was crazy or being a hypochondriac. A close friend told me to ask about Hypothyroidism, and after doing some research, I found that 99% of my symptoms fit this. I am just worried that the test will come back negative and I will be back at square 1.
I have been gaining weight for several years, even though my eating habits hasn't changed. In the past year, I have lost 5 pounds. I was exercising daily, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then the elliptical for 30 minutes. I would swim laps in our pool, and I began a very tight eating schedule. I haven't lost anything. It is heartbreaking, and it makes me wonder why even try. I stay so tired all the time from exercising, and then not sleeping well at night. Everyone says I am a heavy sleeper, but if that is the case, wouldn't I feel more refreshed each day?

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I feel your pain. Ask them to test for thyroid and parathyroid issues.

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@k0silv01

I am going to the doctor soon and I had a long list of complaints that I was going to share with my doctor. I was terrified that the doctor was going to think I was crazy or being a hypochondriac. A close friend told me to ask about Hypothyroidism, and after doing some research, I found that 99% of my symptoms fit this. I am just worried that the test will come back negative and I will be back at square 1.
I have been gaining weight for several years, even though my eating habits hasn't changed. In the past year, I have lost 5 pounds. I was exercising daily, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then the elliptical for 30 minutes. I would swim laps in our pool, and I began a very tight eating schedule. I haven't lost anything. It is heartbreaking, and it makes me wonder why even try. I stay so tired all the time from exercising, and then not sleeping well at night. Everyone says I am a heavy sleeper, but if that is the case, wouldn't I feel more refreshed each day?

Jump to this post

I know what you are going through. I have Hypothyroidism and what you descirbe is exactly what is happing to me. I would advise you to go see an endocringlist. They do more testing than a reguarl doctor. I was never diagnosed until I went to a speacialist.

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@k0silv01

I am going to the doctor soon and I had a long list of complaints that I was going to share with my doctor. I was terrified that the doctor was going to think I was crazy or being a hypochondriac. A close friend told me to ask about Hypothyroidism, and after doing some research, I found that 99% of my symptoms fit this. I am just worried that the test will come back negative and I will be back at square 1.
I have been gaining weight for several years, even though my eating habits hasn't changed. In the past year, I have lost 5 pounds. I was exercising daily, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then the elliptical for 30 minutes. I would swim laps in our pool, and I began a very tight eating schedule. I haven't lost anything. It is heartbreaking, and it makes me wonder why even try. I stay so tired all the time from exercising, and then not sleeping well at night. Everyone says I am a heavy sleeper, but if that is the case, wouldn't I feel more refreshed each day?

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I will do that, I never thought to go to a specialist. I just want to start feeling better...

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Sounds VERY familiar! I am so tired all the time. I have no energy to exercise. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid 10 years ago and still I have the same problems as I did then. I'm still being treated for depression after 10 years as well. I don't ever seem to get better. Sometimes I feel very hopeless. I went to an endocrinologist a few years ago thinking perhaps I would learn something new there about my condition, but it was more of the same. She kept telling me I needed to exercise. Duh. But, I'm tired all the time. It's a vicious cycle. I don't know what to do either. I've been reading about hyperparathyroid today. I don't know if I was ever tested for that or not. Maybe that will be something else to try. I feel your pain.

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@k0silv01

I am going to the doctor soon and I had a long list of complaints that I was going to share with my doctor. I was terrified that the doctor was going to think I was crazy or being a hypochondriac. A close friend told me to ask about Hypothyroidism, and after doing some research, I found that 99% of my symptoms fit this. I am just worried that the test will come back negative and I will be back at square 1.
I have been gaining weight for several years, even though my eating habits hasn't changed. In the past year, I have lost 5 pounds. I was exercising daily, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then the elliptical for 30 minutes. I would swim laps in our pool, and I began a very tight eating schedule. I haven't lost anything. It is heartbreaking, and it makes me wonder why even try. I stay so tired all the time from exercising, and then not sleeping well at night. Everyone says I am a heavy sleeper, but if that is the case, wouldn't I feel more refreshed each day?

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Me too. I was hypothyroid from childhood on due to radiation treatment of a goiter, but no one told my folks I should have a thyroid supplement. I guess doctors didn't know enough back in the 60's. It wasn't til I went to an endocrinologist in my late twenties that i found that out. He ran a complete blood workup and found my pituitary was going "90 mph" as he put it to make my low-functioning thyroid put out enough hormone to keep me in the very low end of normal. That's why so many GPs missed it. They only looked at the thyroid level. I guess they assumed my fatigue and excess weight were a result of laziness.

REPLY
@k0silv01

I am going to the doctor soon and I had a long list of complaints that I was going to share with my doctor. I was terrified that the doctor was going to think I was crazy or being a hypochondriac. A close friend told me to ask about Hypothyroidism, and after doing some research, I found that 99% of my symptoms fit this. I am just worried that the test will come back negative and I will be back at square 1.
I have been gaining weight for several years, even though my eating habits hasn't changed. In the past year, I have lost 5 pounds. I was exercising daily, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then the elliptical for 30 minutes. I would swim laps in our pool, and I began a very tight eating schedule. I haven't lost anything. It is heartbreaking, and it makes me wonder why even try. I stay so tired all the time from exercising, and then not sleeping well at night. Everyone says I am a heavy sleeper, but if that is the case, wouldn't I feel more refreshed each day?

Jump to this post

Definitely talk with an Endocrinologist, but also consider the possibility that you could have a sleep disorder.

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My wonderful NP did a long exam & labs. Hypothyroidism. I was so elated to finally have a name for this invisible foe. Now I know who I'm fighting, & it gave me Hope. During a cardiac workup, a tech made a note to cardiologist about hyperparathyroidism. I asked about it. He said it's nothing. I was sent to an endocrinologist. He said your fine, didn't want to talk about it again. & No one ever said the word diabetic. It took my young NP that actually listens to people, to dig into my herd of symptoms. Not surprised it's genetic as well. Now I've started treatment, but it is so important to have a support system. I have two longtime friend with the same. Things are going to get better, & sleep already is. Now where's that energy switch? Patience & time, time & patience. Hang onto Hope everyone.

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@moi2558

My wonderful NP did a long exam & labs. Hypothyroidism. I was so elated to finally have a name for this invisible foe. Now I know who I'm fighting, & it gave me Hope. During a cardiac workup, a tech made a note to cardiologist about hyperparathyroidism. I asked about it. He said it's nothing. I was sent to an endocrinologist. He said your fine, didn't want to talk about it again. & No one ever said the word diabetic. It took my young NP that actually listens to people, to dig into my herd of symptoms. Not surprised it's genetic as well. Now I've started treatment, but it is so important to have a support system. I have two longtime friend with the same. Things are going to get better, & sleep already is. Now where's that energy switch? Patience & time, time & patience. Hang onto Hope everyone.

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Good for you. I have bee in a literal fight with doctors with no result. I have weight gain even though I a careful what I eat and I work out five to six days a week. I alternate the exercises. I have extremely high cholesterol and diabetes starting. Cold hands feet constantly. Basal temps almost always 95 to 96 in morning after being under two blankets and winter pj’s and socks. I have brittle nails brittle hair. Headaches and tinnitus along with jaw pain. Thyroid nodules (not a problem) goiter and other swelling in left neck jaw area. Carpel tunnel symptoms as well as dry skin loss of hair arms and legs and can’t pinch skin on legs at all. Tsh 2.58 with t3 t4 near normal. They all say I’m eating too much and not working out. Ent had no idea what hypothyroidism type 2 is and endocrinologist dismissed it right away. I am extremely tired. They want me to take anxiety drugs. I’m at a loss

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@moi2558
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
It must be very frustrating hitting the wall with your doctors.
Obviously, you have something going on.
It reminds me of my daughter who started putting on weight in college without reason. It continued after graduation and she started seeing an endocrinologist as well as an internist. The Endocrinologist would yell at her for putting on more weight etc. Turns out a physician in a totally different specialty suspected Cushing’s disease. Pretty much saved her life.
In your situation you need to go somewhere else- Mayo Clinic or similar large University Hospital.
Would you be able to go to such a medical center?

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