what happened? Crash!

[Kyle1129]

I have strenuously exercised for years, 5 -6 days a week.  For the past few months, I found myself slowing down in the gym, gaining weight; I chalked it up to age.  Then, within a month period, things went rapidly downhill.  I felt like I could not catch my breath with cardio.  My muscles worked harder to do less; lifting weights were going down.  Finally and for the first time EVER, I walked away from a workout - I just couldn't do it.  I felt as if I completely crashed.  I went to the doctor.  Blood pressure was 190/100 with a resting HR of 50.  (ACE inhibitor started and immediately brought BP to normal.) Labs done.  TSH was 8.84 (0.49 -4.67)  Synthyroid started - waiting for it to work.  

What happened?  Why did I go downhill so quickly?  Will I get my strength back? Is it okay to push myself at the gym before the synthyroid is fully working?

Thanks for your help.

57-year-old woman otherwise in excellent health

[Cammie5269]

You need to see an Endro doctor. He will answer all these questions and make sure theres not something more going on with your thyroid. GP's only do the basic thyroid test an Endro is your best bet.
In my experience, my energy level was restored. I wouldn't push it as far as the workouts go. The thyroid control a lot of things, include heart rate and BP. Get it under control first.
Good luck

[Kyle1129]

I will ask about the other tests.  Thanks for your helpful information.

[goolarra]

Did your doctor also test your FREE T3 and FREE T4?  Those are the actual thyroid hormones and much more important than TSH in diagnosing and treating thyroid dysfunction.

What happened?  Impossible to say at this point.  You probably want to investigate the cause of your hypo.  Most, by far, hypo in the developed world is caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease.  Your immune system sees your thyroid as foreign protein and attacks it much like it attacks bacteria or viruses.  A simple blood test for thyroid antibodies will show if they are elevated.  TPOab and TGab must both be tested as some of us with Hashi's are TPOab positive, soem TGab positive and some both.  Hashi's can take years or even decades to cause symptoms, or it can go like gangbusters.

You will get your strength back, but not until thyroid hormone levels are once again stabilized.  It takes 4-6 weeks for a new dose or a changed dose of Synthroid to reach its full potential in your blood.  Very seldom is the initial dose your optimal dose.  The usual pattern is to wait 4-5 weeks, retest, reevaluate symptoms, adjust dose and repeat until you get it right.

Is it okay to push yourself?  I wouldn't.  When thyroid hormone levels are low, our bodies don't heal as well as they should.  Little injuries can linger and turn into bigger injuries.  I'm not telling you to become a couch potato, but listen to your body...go a little easy on yourself.