Energy loss - real or perceived?

[Kristin6]

I'm starting to feel better now on the Synthroid 100cmg, but it is SLOOOOW going.  Some days I have energy, some I don't, but at least I'm starting to exercise again.

When I'm feeling hypo, you can't convince me that I have enough energy to walk a mile then make it through a day at the office.  But by nature I'm not a sit on the sofa kind of girl.  When I'm healthy I'm very active and don't loaf around.  Those 6-10 years I was undiaganosed, I berated myself for being so lazy.  I didn't know I was sick.  

Now when I go hypo, I understand what's happening to me but I feel powerless to stop the cycle.  I can't muster the mental discipline to reduce my calories and I feel too tired to exercise, so I put on weight...and that only adds to my depression.  

Are the hypometabolism symptoms real or perceived?  Do I truly not have energy, or do I only perceive that I don't have energy?  I suspect its the former...that somehow my ATP levels are truly low.  Should a person who is hypothyroid exercise?  And how much?  How does hypometabolism change the rules about physical exertion?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Keep exercising - this is important - of course when the hypothyroidism is not treated, it makes exercise and recover from exercise more difficult - but hypothyroid patients who are treated should exercise on a regular basis.

Weight control is difficult for lots of people -- most of these people don't have thyroid problems -- so it's more than the thyroid that is causing weight (unless the hypothyroidism goes untreated).  Recent research suggests that women who wish to keep weight off eat about 1200 cal /day and exercise 5 hours / week -- my guess is that most people aren't doing these things.

[Maggie2007]

I've been wondering some of this myself.  I have been very active for the last several years. At one point I was in great shape due to working out a lot, eating well and walking everywhere (I live in NYC). Last summer I started to gain weight and feel a lack of energy. I'd still walk some and work out some, but it was so hard. My body just couldn't do it! I gained 10 pounds in a year even though I was still active (not a gym rat, but moderate exercise). I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypo a few months ago. I've been on medication for about 4 months now. I do feel somewhat better and I think some days are better than others, but the weight will not come off. I've been going to the gym consistently, eating ok and walking 2 miles a day. The weight will not budge! I don't get it.
I will say that it took a while for my meds to work (2 months at least) and even now I don't feel awesome...but I feel ok. I just don't get why the weight isn't coming off. Its very frustrating.
????

[Marymore44]

Great question.
I have exactly the same problem. I am on the same dose and am about 10 weeks post diagnosis. Aswell as running out of energy and strength by about 5 pm,  I find that I CRAVE concentrated sweets like a junkie still, especially at night. I am counting the days till my next TSH test because I know I need to Iincrease my dose. I am anxious to try Cytomel or Armour thyroid because in the forums many people on these meds say the weight falls off and they have much more energy. My endo is'nt keen on this idea though.
I will be watching this thread for sure