Hyperthyroid disease and training

[etsoilguy]

I've been diagnosed with some form of Grave's disease and am now taking methimazole to slow my thyroid down. I'm 51 and had worked hard to improve my speed and stamina this winter for the spring race season. The elevated heart rate, lack of energy and muscle aches that have occurred as symptoms these last few weeks have done me in I'm afraid. Anyone had experience in overcoming this? Any training recommendations? I love racing and just hate the idea of having to quit.

[matagi]

I've been diagnosed with some form of Grave's disease and am now taking methimazole to slow my thyroid down. I'm 51 and had worked hard to improve my speed and stamina this winter for the spring race season. The elevated heart rate, lack of energy and muscle aches that have occurred as symptoms these last few weeks have done me in I'm afraid. Anyone had experience in overcoming this? Any training recommendations? I love racing and just hate the idea of having to quit.
No personal experience or suggestions for you except a general one ......

You won't have to quit, but you will have to take things easy for a while until the medication takes effect and your system equilibrates. Is your endocrinologist aware of your committment to cycling? It would be a good idea to talk to him/her about it if you haven't already done so and if you have, then you need to re-iterate how important cycling is to you.

[daveryanwyoming]

I've been diagnosed with some form of Grave's disease... Anyone had experience in overcoming this? Any training recommendations? I love racing and just hate the idea of having to quit.I was diagnosed with Grave's disease about fifteen years ago. I went through the supression drugs for a while then went the full nuclear surgery route and basically no longer have a functional thyroid gland. I've been on a stable synthroid regimine ever since.

It basically ended my first racing career as I had to first deal with the hyperthyroid phase, then the diagnosis and treatment, then the hypothyroid phase before titrating up to a stable daily synthroid dose. My body changed dramatically as I put on a lot of upper body weight.

But I never actually stopped being active or riding and after a decade of other pursuits I started racing again, thyroid issues and all and with better training and more focus actually race better now than I ever did back before the Graves disease. I've also brought my weight back down to roughly where I raced as a senior.

I can't offer advice on what treatment route to take (not sure I'd opt for the very permanent nuclear surgery option with what I know today, but I can't go back now) or how to train while you get the hyperthyroidism under control. That depends a lot on the treatment options you pursue as well as your riding goals. But the bottom line is that you can ride or race quite sucessfully post Grave's disease and although it's pretty traumatic, it isn't the end of high level athletic activities.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss this further and good luck,
-Dave

[etsoilguy]

Ah, glimmers of hope! I'll take the advice to heart.

Thanks guys