Support for endurance athletes with thyroid disease
Monday, February 1, 2016
Running Podcast Episode Featuring Alene
I was featured on the Mile After Mile running podcast, a little history about my thyroid problems mixed in. But it's really about my experiences with running the Badwater ultramarathon and double. Something different, I hope you'll enjoy it.
I would REALLY like to get in contact with you. I am a runner (former), 25, struggling with hashimotos. Would really appreciate any advice/experience from someone who sounds like they have got such a great handle on such a disease that is so often mistreated.
Please feel free to leave a comment. Sharing your experience can help someone else who feels they are alone! (Note: I do not endorse anyone's product. ALL attempts to sell a product WILL BE DELETED- don't waste your time!)
The Internet is full of information. Some of it is good, and a lot of it is not-so-great. Be very careful when you read anything from any site. Be wary of sites with a lot of advertisements, because they are selling products and might not be posting information in your best interest. Any information offered on any site, including this one, should be carefully considered before making changes in your lifestyle or habits. What works for one person, even if it is legitimate, scientifically researched, evidence-based, and FDA approved, might not work for you. Don't assume that it will. Discuss it first with a professional with legitimate medical credentials.
The best guidance is to read and weigh the different options, and seek professional advice before purchasing or trying anything new that could have an adverse impact on your health, including nutritional supplements.
Be especially wary of anything that is offered as a miracle cure or with testimonials. Some people will say anything for a free six pack of energy drink or a bottle of vitamins.
This site does not offer and is not a substitute for medical advice. For medical advice, consult a physician. Remember, physicians are human, they are not gods. They have medical training, and they also have opinions. You might not have medical training, but you have common sense, and you have options. If you don't feel your physician is doing a good job for you, seek another physician.
I have been running ultramarathons since 1991 and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 2003. After several frustrating years of suffering from fatigue and unexplained swings in my weight, clarity of thinking, energy levels, and mood, I finally found an endocrinologist in 2004 who helped me.
Soon after that, I started an informal group, a spin-off from an ultrarunning discussion list. I knew there had to be other runners out there who struggled with the same thing. When I first posted my story to the list, people came out of the woodwork.
By sharing my story, it helped all of us start a discussion about how to get the best care from physicians, who are often dismissive of our concerns because we appear to be so much healthier than the general population. Once we get treated, many of us find we feel better than ever.
I want to help other athletes who struggle with thyroid disease to minimize their suffering and get on the road to treatment as soon as possible.
I would REALLY like to get in contact with you.
ReplyDeleteI am a runner (former), 25, struggling with hashimotos.
Would really appreciate any advice/experience from someone who sounds like they have got such a great handle on such a disease that is so often mistreated.
Brenda:-)
Brenda, you can write me at ultrahypo at gmail dot com.
Delete