Exercise and DHEA

[dcarter31]

Can exercise increase testosterone or DHEA in women?  I combine strength training and cardio, which has been very helpful in moderating my hyperthyroid symptoms.

[dcarter31]

Thank you for your perspective and the information on reverse T3.  It's much easier to talk about this online than to my friends or endocrinologist.

[dcarter31]

First of all, yes I have all the hyperthyroid symptoms (trouble sleeping, high energy, high appetite, sometimes nervousness.)  But my hyperthyroidism is a clinical treatment to suppress TSH because I've had thyroid cancer (papillary carcinoma.)  So the bottom line is that I've learned to deal with all of the symptoms except this one.

Second, I wanted to talk about birth control.  The pill increases sex hormone binding globulin which lowers free testosterone and decreases libido in women.  If your wife is on the pill this could also be a factor.  I've been off the pill for three years so maybe there's a rebound effect.  It's odd in that it always peaks about the time of ovulation, but it's high all the time and clealy its a problem in the fact that I can't focus on my work, have to wake my husband up at night, and daydream about coworkers.

Lastly, my husband has been very understanding and cooperative even when I know he's exhausted (his job is very physically demanding.)  One of the issues is that we have young children and simply don't get enough "alone time."  

My plan is to go back on the pill (may also take care of my acne and menstrual issues) and to take a nice adult weekend trip with my husband (long overdue, without the kids.)

[flyingfool]

LACK of libido is what got me researching low thyroid because of my wife's low thyroid.  So your "problem" does in fact sound like a blessing to me.  But in my case it would be going from my wife having nothing to actually having a libido.  But in your case it has raised to too high.  I think if you tell your husband about it, he will be at his age likely to help out all he can with that "condition" if you know what I mean ;)

I have heard about HEAVY exercise or "too much" exercise can cause a hypothyroid condition or some sort of thyroid resistance.  It may also cause a rise in Reverse T3 which has a blocking or resistance of T3 to actually get to the cells.  

I think this is from the body sensing that excessive exercise is a traumatic event and the body is going into famine or shock mode as a protective response as if in starvation or traumatic situation.

This doesn't answer your question about testosterone or DHEA rise with exercise as going Hypo would mean a reduced libido most likely.

Curious why you posted this on a thyroid forum.  Do you have any other thyroid symptoms.  In particular in your case maybe HYPER to too high of thyroid.  Typical symptoms of Hyper are:

High energy
heat intolerance
night sweats
insomnia as inability to get to sleep
weight loss and/or inability to gain weight
anxiety - be careful as this is cross over with Hypo as well
panic attacks
Face heartbeat or tachycardia
may have veracious appetite

Graves disease is an auto immune condition that will or can cause Hyper.  The TSI test is definitive test for graves.

[dcarter31]

I guess I just feel out of control and obsessive.

[dcarter31]

No, I think they may be too high because of the recent cystic acne and increased libido that I've been experiencing.  An increased libido may sound like a blessing but it's not... I can't think about anything else and just keep falling further and further behind in my work.  I really can't afford to be so distracted and the thought of cheating on my husband or crossing any lines with coworkers terrifies me.

[flyingfool]

Are you looking to raise our Testosterone and DHEA?  If so why?

[dcarter31]

If I don't work out I can't sleep and end up feeling very stressed out and nervous by the end of the week.  It doesn't take much time; I only do about 30 minutes twice a week; but add high intensity intervals.  It does however, really increase my appetite.

[Totie]

Oh I so envy you....

I am just flat out to lazy to work out... Sorry not much help.