One of the most common complaints of our society is fatigue, which can come from many sources. Part of the task that I am charged with in each session is looking at the puzzle pieces of my clients’ lives and figuring out how to make the picture come into focus. Often by the time my clients reach me, they have tried almost everything and have been tested for all sorts of diseases. They are mentally and physically exhausted, and yet they keep beating themselves up through exercise and starvation methods. They think that if they exercise harder and longer or eat minimally that they will reach a point of being healthy and whole. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, and what many of my clients find over time is that strenuous exercise takes a toll on the thyroid.
The thyroid gland is a hormone gland that is located in the front of the neck, and it affects virtually every organ in the human body. According to the American Thyroid Association, around 12% of the population may develop a thyroid condition at some point in their lives.
The thyroid secretes hormones (T3 and T4) that regulate metabolism and heart rate. TSH, produced by the brain, regulates the production of T3 and T4.
According to a study conducted by Röcker and Sander in 1988, prolonged exercise negatively impacts the rate of T3 to T4 conversion for up to 22 hours post exercise. In a more recent study, Yili, Klubo-Gwiezdzinska and Wartofsky reiterated that exercise affects thyroid hormone production and metabolism. The negative effects of strenuous exercise are compounded by age, baseline fitness, nutritional status, and altitude as well as how long and intense the exercise period is.
The fatigue that many of my clients experience stems from thyroid dysfunction due to overexercise. If you are spending hours exercising (running in particular), there is potential for greater risk of thyroid impairment. Giving the body 22 hours of recovery after intense exercise may help to mitigate thyroid symptoms. Consider reducing your amount of exercise or alternating with more gentle versions of exercise such as Hatha yoga, Tai Chi, and walking. Allow your body the rest it needs to regulate itself by spreading out the more strenuous activities.
Signs that your thyroid isn’t functioning well:
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TACOMA
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Sunday: 9 am - 7 pm
Please call for current deli counter service hours. Grab and go options available until closing.
2951 S. 38th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409