The Passive Hypothyroid Slump - how to stop napping

Posted by kmlnj @kmlnj, 22 hours ago

sounds contradictory: how can you have the energy to exercise but instantly fade when sitting still? There are a few highly specific medical reasons for this after thyroid cancer treatment:

The "Passive" Hypothyroid Slump: When you are walking or exercising, your body pumps adrenaline and cortisol, which masks your underlying hormone levels. But when you sit quietly (reading) or engage in a monotonous, hypnotic task (driving), that artificial boost drops. If your synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine/Synthroid) levels are even slightly off, your body crashes into a deep, passive fatigue.

I can walk 10k steps. But if I sit to read or do anything....I fall asleep. I dont want to spend my day walking and taking 3 naps.
Does anyone have this issue?
Thyroidectomy october 2024 and finished chemoradiation March 2025. I am cancer free.
Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Thyroid Cancer Support Group.

gently | @gently | 15 hours ago

kminj, thanks for your post. I've noticed the "passive slump," even with subclinical Hashimoto's. I thought it was the "tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion," or maybe an adrenalin release. Even if I'm just chasing an idea on pubmed, I can stay on it all night surprised by morning. But if I lay back to watch a movie, I can't get through opening credits. I don't have any answers but appreciate your post and will be following responses.