Hypothyroidism, sports, and diet?

linter · 06-30-2009, 10:14 AM

I am a male, 55, with hypothroydism, and take 175mcg Levothyrovine daily, along with 12.5mcg Cytomel; and I'm trying to figure out if diet may play a part in why I'm exhausted all the time and why, despite my exercise routine, I can't gain any muscle. Here's the deal ...

For the past 2-3 years, my workout has consisted of 5xweek pushups and pulls up *except* on days when I stand up paddle surf. And I SUP a lot -- 3x week, for 2 -3 hrs each session. My pals have done the same thing and all of them have lost weight, put on muscle and in general benefited from SUP surfing. Me, not at all. I've gone from 165 lbs, up to 180 lbs, and down now to 175, and all of it is blubber, i think. At least, I don't have any muscles to show for it. At the same time, I can do 3 sets of 10 pull ups, no problem, while I max out on push ups at around 10, which is bad.

And then, after working out, or SUP surfing, I am exhausted, as in, I'm shot for the rest of the day. Not good for work!

So: I'm going in for more hypothyroid blood work, to see if things have changed there. but I'm also interested in what part my diet plays. I usually stick pretty close to the TNT Diet -- going carb heavy before and after I hit the water to SUP.

Thoughts, anyone? Suggestions? Thanks!

LancelotsLover · 06-30-2009, 11:10 PM

Is it possible that the meds have changed your body chemistry to make you less tolerant of high carb meals? I know that some people (women at least, not sure if it's the same for men) don't metabolize carbs as well as others do, and excess carbs can cause that fatigue. You could try going for a lower carb diet and see if that makes a difference in your energy levels. Not sure what part the thyroid medication might play in that. . . how long have you been taking the medication, and did you do carb-loading before you started meds, and if so, did you experience that fatigue then as well?

Leigh P. · 07-01-2009, 01:40 PM

I don't think your diet strategy is the best course. What do you do in a day and what is your rough caloric intake?

Hypo have to eat just as hard as everyone else to gain muscle. I do think putting extra focus of eating around training time is good, but it sounds to me as if you are trying to build a skyscraper with a Lincoln log set.