Thyroid Problems and Distance Running
While your legs and cardiovascular system are clearly the primary contributors to your ability to run, being in top condition depends on your whole body, including your endocrine system. This system is responsible for producing hormones, many of which -- notably insulin, testosterone, growth hormone and thyroid hormone -- play a direct role in how you feel and perform while running. Disturbances to your thyroid can profoundly affect your exercise and overall well-being.
What the Thyroid Does
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. The active form of hormone it produces, called thyroxine or simply T4, participates in processes related to development, growth and metabolism. According to Colorado State University, T4 probably affects every type of cell in the body 1. Higher T4 levels imply a higher metabolic rate in all respects -- increased heart rate, and greater breakdown of fats and carbohydrates -- and are associated with greater mental alertness. Very high levels result in anxious states.
- The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.
- Higher T4 levels imply a higher metabolic rate in all respects -- increased heart rate, and greater breakdown of fats and carbohydrates -- and are associated with greater mental alertness.
Hyperthyroidism and Running
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If you are a distance runner, you may be trying to lose weight or are accustomed to being very thin, so you may be more likely than others to miss these symptoms. Often, physical signs such as a goiter, or lump in the throat, or protruding eyeballs, are present. Graves' disease is a very common cause of hyerthyroidism. If your weight is dropping despite no change in training or eating habits, see your doctor for a blood test.
- If you are a distance runner, you may be trying to lose weight or are accustomed to being very thin, so you may be more likely than others to miss these symptoms.
Hypothyroidism and Running
As you might guess, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are opposite those of hyperthyroidism: sluggishness, weight gain, feeling cold even in warm environments and depression. Left untreated, it can cause serious health problems over time. An underactive thyroid is usually the result of an autoimmune reaction. According to Pete Magill of "Running Times" magazine, runners with a family history of thyroid problems may induce an autoimmune attack on their own thyroid gland by training heavily. The end result in distance runners is an inevitable decline in motivation and performance.
- As you might guess, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are opposite those of hyperthyroidism: sluggishness, weight gain, feeling cold even in warm environments and depression.
- According to Pete Magill of "Running Times" magazine, runners with a family history of thyroid problems may induce an autoimmune attack on their own thyroid gland by training heavily.
Long-Term Outlook
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The key to treating thyroid problems is identifying them early. This done, treatment is straightforward and symptom relief is virtually immediate. An overactive thyroid is treated using surgery or radioactive iodine, after which you will have to take T4 supplements for the rest of your life. Hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic T4 as well, and it may take time to get the dose right. In either case, once your weight and mood are stable and you are feeling better, you should be able to return to your running routine without any lasting consequences.
- The key to treating thyroid problems is identifying them early.
- Hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic T4 as well, and it may take time to get the dose right.
Related Articles
References
- Colorado State University: Mechanism of Action and Physiologic Effects of Thyroid Hormones
- American Thyroid Association. General Information/Press Room.
- Pirahanchi Y, Jialal I. Physiology, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Updated April 25, 2019.
- AACC. Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Lab Tests Online. Updated October 18, 2019.
- DeGroot LJ. Graves’ Disease and the Manifestations of Thyrotoxicosis. [Updated 2015 Jul 11]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2015.
- Nguyen QT, Lee EJ, Huang MG, Park YI, Khullar A, Plodkowski RA. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with thyroid cancer. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2015;8(1):30-40.
- Bindra A, Braunstein GD. Thyroiditis. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(10):1769-76.
- Medeiros-Neto G. Multinodular Goiter. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Updated September 26, 2016.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid). Published August 2016.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid). Published August 2016.
- Brent GA. Environmental exposures and autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid. 2010;20(7):755-61. doi:10.1089/thy.2010.1636
- Mcaninch EA, Bianco AC. The history and future of treatment of hypothyroidism. Ann Intern Med. 2016;164(1):50-6. doi:10.7326/M15-1799
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Grave’s Disease. Published September 2017.
- Stagnaro-Green, A., Abalovich, M, Alexander, E. et. al. Guidelines of the American thyroid association for the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and postpartum. Thyroid. 2011(21)10. doi:10.1089/thy.2011.0087
- Liu G, Liang L, Bray GA, et al. Thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and metabolic parameters in response to weight loss diets: the POUNDS LOST trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(6):878-886. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.28
- Bahn R, Burch H, Cooper D, et al. Hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis: Management guidelines of the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Endocrine Practice. 2011;17(3). doi:10.1089/thy.2010.0417
- Braverman L, Cooper D. Werner & Ingbar's The Thyroid, 10th Edition. WLL/Wolters Kluwer; 2012.
- Garber J, Cobin R, Gharib H, et. al. Clinical practice guidelines for hypothyroidism in adults: Cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association. Endocrine Practice. 2012;18(6). doi:10.1089/thy.2012.0205
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Writer Bio
L.T. Davidson has been a professional writer and editor since 1994. He has been published in "Triathlete," "Men's Fitness" and "Competitor." A former elite cyclist with a Master of Science in exercise physiology from the University of Miami, Davidson is now in the broadcast news business.