ccerh01’s BodyBlog

I decided to write this blog because I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism on November 2008. This condition is not merely a declared hypothyroidism but levels of TSH are somehow above normal range (more than 5 less than 7), with T3 and T4 on normal.

I have to say that when the doctor told me about my condition I started a big research on this health problem. I needed to understand what was happening to me. I went to libraries, googled, everything I could to know.  On the other hand I couldn’t find any information on this condition for people who are into sports… I mean none. That was frustrating because even when asking trainers, dietitians on how to focus on this condition and still compete, they have no clue (at least the people I asked).

In my country lab tests show that TSH normal range should be around 1-5. I first went through tests on June last year because I was very very tired. TSH levels at that time where on 4.5 so my trainer discarded any thyroid problems, so we focused on overtraining, and adjusted my diet. Those adjusments where good though because food and suplementation gave me the extra energy I needed to complete my workouts and keep my fitness level to compete last September.

I still felt tired, I thought that it was all competition training was the cause. I also thought, given that I have been competing for many years that this time I was getting to old to resist all preparation. Finally the time came and I went to competition. I placed good but personally was felling terribly, I was looking so small (muscularly speaking). Other years with less effort I was so big and reduced bf without so much trouble…. age I thought.

After competition in October my aim was to regain muscle, but it took me more than 4 months to gain from competition level and energy levels now even with the diet and supplementation support went to the floor. Late November I went again to the doctor, this time a different doctor was in the clinic. He checked me and he noticed that my thyroid gland was somehow bigger than what it is supposed to. This time I went through all lab tests (blood, urine, thryoid, sugar, etc)

Everything was perfect, except for my thyroid level the TSH was at 6.7 which he said was subclinical hypothyroid. His first approach was send me to a specialist. My bad luck with his recommendation was that the specialist doctor wanted me to make biopsy and even remove my gland… of course charging a lot of $$$

After lots of research I found that the new standards for optimal TSH function are 1-3 so I figured that I had been subclinical for a long time and not even knowing!!

My first approach was to reduce stress and get into healthy diet (which was no problem for me) but this time I had to cut all goitrogen foods. With these, my lab test showed TSH of 4.95

I went to another specialist doctor on February 2009 and started taking levothyroxine as treatment. I couldn’t believe that it was having my TSH at 4.95 what made me felt so tired and backing me off my progress. After the last competition I stayed at 54 kgs and 14% bf for 4 months, it was so damn difficult to regain weight and strenght. I started dose of levothyroxine at 50mcg every other day.

I went for lab tests last week of March  and my TSH is at 2.59. I still feel somehow tired (not as before) and I am regaining muscle weight. Dose was reduced because of annoying heart palpitations (overdose symptoms) to 37.25 mgc. Doctor recommended to include Melatonin and Arcalion in order to aid recovery. 
may 2009

My body has recognized the daily dose of the medicine. Though it has been crazy adjusting to the right dose… this is where I have really learnt how to listen to my body. Signs and symptoms of overdose or underdose can be so misleading. But this is my feedback on symptoms

Overdose: feeling tired, heart palpitations (uncomfortable), tremors… something as being in ECA stack but with stomachaches, loss of weight, eye pain.

Underdose: feeling tired, brittle nails, constipation, frequent dehydration, edema

Optimal dose eliminates any of the above symptoms and make me feel like I’m 15 again!

Got TSH tested again late May and the level increased to 3.89 I am somehow disappointed, I thought it was going to be better. Doctor increased dose again and I’m back in 50mcg. So far, I feel alright. Gym related my strenght has gone up, so I started lifting heavier.

After competition I found myself depleted and dehydrated. I’m naturally ectomorph so this means that with such low bf% I can’t lift as heavy. With additional calories I have started including more heavier weigths, however rep range is 8-10 and only 3 sets per exercise. On the other hand I started this week only training weights 3 times per week, with the aim of recovering faster than with the 4 or 5 times per week.

I am also including cardio and planks, on non-lifting days.

After competition I found my body with a lot of definition and good muscle tone… however the low carb diet and dehydration had adverse effects on the skin of my face… aka lost elasticity and appearing wrinkles!! Therefore, I have changed my diet to include more fruits and vegetables, I have reduced eating refined foods (only pasta because I need to regain weight) and drinking green tea all day.

Specifically I added: honey, oranges, papaya, yams, plums, sardines, green tea, whole grain bread.

Well, it is really not that new. Rope jumping. I started yesterday for 30 minutes. It makes me sweat more than other forms of cardio I tried (threadmill, eliptical). Also my HF gets faster in the range of  60 - 75%.

By the way, it is like training my calves. Today I measured and they are 1/2 " bigger. I like this pump. Also I look more lean, of course it have been only two days. I report my results after a couple of weeks.

After following a muscle bulking period I found myself with lots of water retention, great size but mostly it is water :p so I am beginning the cutting phase. As for a week I have increased my water consumption from 3  to 5 liters a day (more or less, on training days it is more). I took taraxatone on friday (3) but it is too strong for me, saturday I had only 1 pill morning and 1 mid-evening, it seems to work well this way. But it has to be taken with previously taken at least with 1 liter water and a meal… My goal is to get rid of water retention but still achieving youthful look… meaning NO wrinkles! therefore, even if my diet is starting to reduce carbs, I have added papaya in my pre-breakfast and a handful of nuts. Today my weight is 1 kg less, my measurements decreased too.