Sorry to hear of your difficulties with exercise. Unfortunately, it sounds like your doctor is not familiar with this common symptom of hypothyroidism. The Stop the Thyroid Madness site includes "bizzare and debilitating reaction to exercise" on its extensive list of hypo symptoms:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/long-and-pathetic/

I'm a lifelong, avid exerciser and definitely had similar experiences that you are having when my levels were too low for me.

I did the 90-day P90X extreme fitness program starting in Sept 2011 and was concerned about any possible effects on my levels. My levels were optimal when I started and I was fortunate that they stayed that way even after I did a second round.

Everyone's different, though, so getting labs done after maybe a month on a new exercise routine might not be a bad idea.

Since you shared your labs, I am sorry to tell you that your doctor is running outdated tests that don't provide useful information.

Before I expand on that, I can tell you that your TSH is way too high for someone on levothyroxine. Thyroid textbooks indicate that TSH will be 1.0 or lower for people who are optimally medicated on levothyroxine.

Now, onto the "fun stuff"...the outdated and basically useless test you've had. (so sorry to tell you this. If it's of any comfort, many doctors run these tests because they don't know better.)

I'm not sure how familiar you are with thyroid lingo but, in the event you aren't, please know that "thyroxine" is one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid. It's commonly referred to as T4.

OK....

The thyroxine test measures thyroxine that is bound to proteins and not usable by the body.

The T3 uptake test measures how well binding proteins latch onto thyroid hormone.

The Free Thyroxine Index is an obsolete calculation that uses the T3 uptake result along with the thyroxine result to guesstimate about how much thyroxine is available for the body's use.

Well, we have the FreeT4 test that does exactly that.

Now, T4 is our storage hormone and our bodies convert it to T3, the active hormone. Since many hypothyroidism patients have trouble with conversion, it's important to make sure they have adequate T3 levels....the amounts available for the body's use are measured with the FreeT3 test.

You really only need the FreeT4 and FreeT3 tests to properly evaluate your thyroid function. TSH provides a general indication but should never be used for dosing purposes until it is lower than the 1.0 mentioned in thyroid textbooks.

Here's some info from a doctor that knows how to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism:

http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis_comp.htm

I apologize if this is TMI but, I like to substantiate the stuff I say on here.

Bottom line.....the new exercise program may or may not affect your levels so continuing to get regular labs is a good idea.

And, even more importantly, your labs are screaming for a dose increase.....I hope your doctor gives you one and you're also able to get the doctor to run the FreeT4 and FreeT3 tests next time....and every time.

On a "simpler" note....while spinach and certain other veggies are really good for most people, they can wreak havoc in people dealing with thyroid issues. Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, peanuts, almonds and others fall under a class of food called "goitrogens". Consumption of these foods can actually lower thyroid hormone levels.....that's good for someone dealing with hyPERthyroidism but, not good at all for someone in our shoes.

Wikipedia has an easy-to-understand article about goitrogens along with a pretty comprehensive list of common goitrogenic foods.

Hope this helps...

PLH:
Sorry that you feel so lousy. Have you been eating high fiber for a long time? If not, high fiber can slow the absorption of your thyroid meds. You may not be getting enough.
Unfortunately, it's consistency with this disease. Your blood work should be able to tell you if you have enough.
If I work out one day, I too may be too exhausted to do it the following day... Unfortunately, I never know...

peave----discuss this with your doctor for sure. Thyroid meds if not taken at the right dose can cause a person's heart to react strange. Increasing your exercise could make your heart work more and then tire you out if the meds are putting stress on you already. The reason I know this is I had this happen on the Synthroid. Had to change to Armour and have never had any problem for over 4 yrs now. Everyone is different.

I never have any problems with any different foods, love fresh veggies all of them (except lima beans). They do not affect my thyroid numbers at all or how I feel.

One thing I have also learned over the years is to be sure to communicate everything to the doctor no matter how trivial I may think it is. Just open up and let him/her know how you are feeling and what tests you think you need to help. Take care !

Just another note......your doctor is running a good test with the TSH....it alerts him/her to any thyroid problems. Mine was first 15 which woke my dr up enough .... sorry though .... I fired him because I had to insist on the test and I should not have had to since my sister has it also.

Still----has a good point regarding the fiber. Be careful to take the thyroid meds at least one hour before eating anything.

me again...

I got to thinking about my post and realized I should have clarified something - Synthroid is one brand of levothyroxine.

Therefore, whenever I mentioned levothyroxine, you can deduct that those same comments apply to Synthroid.



And, this sentence was erroneous (sorry): "TSH provides a general indication but should never be used for dosing purposes until it is lower than the 1.0 mentioned in thyroid textbooks"

It's correct that TSH can provide a general indication but, it really shouldn't be used for dosing purposes.

Yes, some doctors will focus on getting TSH down to 1.0 and then address the FreeT4 and FreeT3 levels.

However, thyroid-savvy doctors work with the FreeT4 and FreeT3 levels throughout treatment.

They are, after all, the measurements of thyroid hormone levels vs. TSH which measures a pituitary hormone.

Hope I didn't make things any more confusing.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

I agree with both ladies. Fiber can decrease the Synthroid. If you suddenly add it if you aren't used to it, especially. Also you have to make sure you take it on an empty stomach, waiting one hour to eat. Don't take it within 4 hours of calcium or an antacid either.
CD has given you very clear advice. She's right (as usual) your tsh should not be 3.72 (that's usually when they treat at first, not 3 years after!) Also, yes the tests are outdated. My doc says anything other than FT3,FT4 and lastly tsh is useless. You have to make it clear to your doc you only want these tests. Some are still clueless about thyroid disease. If you still have these symptoms after 3 years, something is wrong.