Aa
Exercise Intolerance: pain, weakness and injury
I've read that hypothyroidism can cause exercise intolerance. I have been very ill since exposure to some toxic pesticides. Part of the poisoning is that I became hypothyroid. I used to be a keen athlete cycling many miles a week and competing often. Now I am unable to do any exercise. I suffer from pain in my joints, particularly my knees. If I try and do any level of exercise, I suffer injuries and weakness afterwards which take ages to heal (some haven't healed at all). For example, an hour's walk incorporating a hill can leave my foot flexors so weak that I can then struggle to lift up my foot for weeks at a time and have to back off doing anything at all. Swimming can cause sharp shoulder pain and weakness.
I have some periods when I feel a bit better (relatively- nothing like when I was well). I notice that the joint pains are worse when I get my period. Could this exercise intolerance be due to hypothyroidism? I am struggling to work out what is the direct result of poisoning and what is the result of hypothyroidism. Anyone experience similar? My TSH is now 4.88 (still too high- was below 2 when well). However, it did get to 0.7 a few months ago and I still had these problems. Free T4 is now 14.1 (range is 12-22 I think). Free T4 did go up to 18.1 a few months ago and I still had these difficulties. Free T3 is now 5.1 (range 4-8 I think). This is higher than it has been since I got ill. It was 4.3 earlier on in the year. When it was that low I could barely walk on the flat.
Any info much appreciated. Thank you
I have some periods when I feel a bit better (relatively- nothing like when I was well). I notice that the joint pains are worse when I get my period. Could this exercise intolerance be due to hypothyroidism? I am struggling to work out what is the direct result of poisoning and what is the result of hypothyroidism. Anyone experience similar? My TSH is now 4.88 (still too high- was below 2 when well). However, it did get to 0.7 a few months ago and I still had these problems. Free T4 is now 14.1 (range is 12-22 I think). Free T4 did go up to 18.1 a few months ago and I still had these difficulties. Free T3 is now 5.1 (range 4-8 I think). This is higher than it has been since I got ill. It was 4.3 earlier on in the year. When it was that low I could barely walk on the flat.
Any info much appreciated. Thank you
COMMUNITY LEADER
There's a whole list of organophosphates and they all affect the body in different ways; you would need to know exactly which compound you were exposed to.
Per the first part of my primary reply, it would be helpful to further look into the cause of your hypothyroid as a first step- if it actually was from the toxic exposure or autoimmune Hashimoto hypothyroid. You have good reason to assume your hypo is from toxic exposure, but you could have Hashimoto going on at the same time.
So just try to rule out Hashimoto first. You tested neg on the TPO antitbody test. Now get the TGab antibody test performed.
The reason? Hashimoto is forever, with increasing replacement thyroid hormones (med) for life in parallel with the antibodies slowly munching on the gland. Non- autoimmune is not always permanent and is caused by many things, things that are not-permanent. I'm no expert on toxicity, but many forms are not permanent.
And you could have Hashimoto along with toxicity going on. In addition to the TGab test, get all the toxicity testing you need based on what was in that pesticide. If you know the name of the brand it was, have you looked into the MSDS information sheet, tells health facts and long, short term health hazzards about the chemical. In the US by law the manufacture has to disclose this in a work place (other countries I do not know about).
The vitamins and minerals as stated in others reply'ss are also known to be related to hypos with muscle pain.
So the info I first posted is good for an athletic person dealing with pain from low thyroid hormone.
So just try to rule out Hashimoto first. You tested neg on the TPO antitbody test. Now get the TGab antibody test performed.
The reason? Hashimoto is forever, with increasing replacement thyroid hormones (med) for life in parallel with the antibodies slowly munching on the gland. Non- autoimmune is not always permanent and is caused by many things, things that are not-permanent. I'm no expert on toxicity, but many forms are not permanent.
And you could have Hashimoto along with toxicity going on. In addition to the TGab test, get all the toxicity testing you need based on what was in that pesticide. If you know the name of the brand it was, have you looked into the MSDS information sheet, tells health facts and long, short term health hazzards about the chemical. In the US by law the manufacture has to disclose this in a work place (other countries I do not know about).
The vitamins and minerals as stated in others reply'ss are also known to be related to hypos with muscle pain.
So the info I first posted is good for an athletic person dealing with pain from low thyroid hormone.
Oops.
Part two:
Obviously this is not something your going to solve overnight. You need to gather more info about what is going on after testing all that everyone mentioned.
Bottom line is not to exercise near the level you used to or anything that brings on body pain until this is resolved, since it can promote more micro trauma to the muscles - more pain for you. Adult athletes bodies, due to pushing their bodies to the limit, are for the most part different than most people that engage in general exercise. Your muscles have been put through their full use and have had many micro injuries, which may be more evident in the form of pain while still being hypo. You can still have hypo symptoms while in range. You can find a lot of proof here that many people feel better with T3 in the upper third.
I did compete while hypo for years in an elite class and as a result accumulated a lot of muscle trauma from repetitive motion and normal injuries that made a lasting impact. That's why I now suspect I have to do all that stuff to get better thats listed in the later half of my first reply to you. Its amassing what you can do while hypo if there is an adrenalin high. But, over exercise with hypo symptoms = you might pay the price later on.
Part two:
Obviously this is not something your going to solve overnight. You need to gather more info about what is going on after testing all that everyone mentioned.
Bottom line is not to exercise near the level you used to or anything that brings on body pain until this is resolved, since it can promote more micro trauma to the muscles - more pain for you. Adult athletes bodies, due to pushing their bodies to the limit, are for the most part different than most people that engage in general exercise. Your muscles have been put through their full use and have had many micro injuries, which may be more evident in the form of pain while still being hypo. You can still have hypo symptoms while in range. You can find a lot of proof here that many people feel better with T3 in the upper third.
I did compete while hypo for years in an elite class and as a result accumulated a lot of muscle trauma from repetitive motion and normal injuries that made a lasting impact. That's why I now suspect I have to do all that stuff to get better thats listed in the later half of my first reply to you. Its amassing what you can do while hypo if there is an adrenalin high. But, over exercise with hypo symptoms = you might pay the price later on.
well, I'm going on forever here arent I?
[ "When you say multi-dosing, do you mean trying to add in T3 again, on top of the levothyroxine?" ]
- Specifically taking T3 again with your levothyroxine, but splitting and taking the daily dose of T3 two separate times. Most do this and feel better since T3 works for about 4-5 hours and is very strong feeling at first.
Its quite a puzzle you have to work out. In time you will figure it out.
Happy new year!
[ "When you say multi-dosing, do you mean trying to add in T3 again, on top of the levothyroxine?" ]
- Specifically taking T3 again with your levothyroxine, but splitting and taking the daily dose of T3 two separate times. Most do this and feel better since T3 works for about 4-5 hours and is very strong feeling at first.
Its quite a puzzle you have to work out. In time you will figure it out.
Happy new year!
Thanks so much all for your comments.
I saw my GP this morning and as per suggestions, am going to start taking T3 at a much lower dose- initially 2.5mcg/day and then increasing to 5mcg (taken 2.5mcg in AM and 2.5mcg PM) if I can tolerate it. Will also take T4.
GP didn't know about the Tgab test. I've looked up online and can only find info relating to this test be used in relation to thyroid cancer here. Is it definitely used to rule out Hashimotos too? If so, any info would be useful, as I may be able to use that to persuade my GP I should have that test too.
The organophosphates I have in my fat and on DNA (cholormandelic acid) are a metabolite of some different original organophosphate. They're not sure what, but have given a suggestion, so will look up the side effects of that- thanks for the suggestion. I got ill after my house was treated by a pest control company who said they only used carbamate (I also have that in my fat but not to anywhere near the same extent). You paid them once and they guaranteed to rid the house of fleas. I had them round 3 times as the fleas didn't go and I wonder if they got fed up with coming out and put down something they weren't allowed to (they of course say they only used a very dilute carbamate, but I can't see how else I would be riddled with organophosphate). This of course makes matters difficult for me, as I don't know for sure which organophosphate I was exposed to.
I have had tests to look at nutritional status etc and I was deficient in Vit D and B12 and low in selenium and zinc. Magnesium and iron were ok. II have been on supplements for all I was low in since May (as well as high dose vit C, a high dose multi-B supplement, milk thistle and evening primrose oil) and am now in the normal range. Is this what you mean by hard minerals, Stella 5349, or should I be looking at something else too?
Thanks so much for all of your thoughts- what a mine of information and wisdom you all are.
I saw my GP this morning and as per suggestions, am going to start taking T3 at a much lower dose- initially 2.5mcg/day and then increasing to 5mcg (taken 2.5mcg in AM and 2.5mcg PM) if I can tolerate it. Will also take T4.
GP didn't know about the Tgab test. I've looked up online and can only find info relating to this test be used in relation to thyroid cancer here. Is it definitely used to rule out Hashimotos too? If so, any info would be useful, as I may be able to use that to persuade my GP I should have that test too.
The organophosphates I have in my fat and on DNA (cholormandelic acid) are a metabolite of some different original organophosphate. They're not sure what, but have given a suggestion, so will look up the side effects of that- thanks for the suggestion. I got ill after my house was treated by a pest control company who said they only used carbamate (I also have that in my fat but not to anywhere near the same extent). You paid them once and they guaranteed to rid the house of fleas. I had them round 3 times as the fleas didn't go and I wonder if they got fed up with coming out and put down something they weren't allowed to (they of course say they only used a very dilute carbamate, but I can't see how else I would be riddled with organophosphate). This of course makes matters difficult for me, as I don't know for sure which organophosphate I was exposed to.
I have had tests to look at nutritional status etc and I was deficient in Vit D and B12 and low in selenium and zinc. Magnesium and iron were ok. II have been on supplements for all I was low in since May (as well as high dose vit C, a high dose multi-B supplement, milk thistle and evening primrose oil) and am now in the normal range. Is this what you mean by hard minerals, Stella 5349, or should I be looking at something else too?
Thanks so much for all of your thoughts- what a mine of information and wisdom you all are.
TGab test is very commonly taken at the same time as TPO. Thyroglobulin antibodies "TgAb" is a test used to check blood levels of antibodies the body has made against the compound thyroglobulin, a protein produced and used by the thyroid gland. People with Hashimoto can have high TPO , and/or/also high TGab. Anyone thats been here a while knows this, your DR should too. Is not a thyroid cancer diagnostic.
Magnessium, specifically magnessium glycinate or magnessium taurate and the 2nd best - mag citrate will help ease muscle pain in pretty much anyone, even if mag levels are OK. Mag cannot be OD'd, you will just "go" easier in the morning - thats how you guess your dose. Best if taken at night (while the body rebuilds) sepparated from thyroid meds.
Vit tested by D-25 is best at 50 or above.
B6 is important for muscles and nerves.
Magnessium, specifically magnessium glycinate or magnessium taurate and the 2nd best - mag citrate will help ease muscle pain in pretty much anyone, even if mag levels are OK. Mag cannot be OD'd, you will just "go" easier in the morning - thats how you guess your dose. Best if taken at night (while the body rebuilds) sepparated from thyroid meds.
Vit tested by D-25 is best at 50 or above.
B6 is important for muscles and nerves.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
