Research Corner - Q&A Underactive Thyroid and Exercise by Steve Rhyan | Date Released : 02 Oct 2001 0 comments Print Close Question: Do you have any nutritional advice and exercise recommendations for a client with an under active thyroid? Answer: Under active thyroid is also called hypothyroidism. This generally refers to someone who does not produce normal levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroid hormones are responsible for metabolic function. They help regulate body temperature and sweating, change the utilization of energy and help regulate cholesterol. Hypothyroidism may have several reasons for existing. It seems that autoimmune destruction is common. A few symptoms of this are: Decreased metabolic rate Bradycardia (slow heart rate, <60bpm) Cold intolerance Decreased sweating Weight gain without increased calories Slowness, lethargy and sleepiness Some people become "puffy" from non-pitting edema that accumulates. Hypothyroidism can also be caused from a goiter. Iodine is added to salt to help prevent this problem. People who do not take in enough Iodine can get a change in TSH. With that in mind, eating plenty of seafood products, especially the seaweed type, and taking a good multi-vitamin may help your client. As ALWAYS, anybody who is starting an exercise program and has special needs must get cleared by their health care professional (HCP). The HCP will examine the need for medications and safety issues for exercise. Almost 99 percent of the time, people with hypothyroidism NEED to exercise. This is the primary tool for making the metabolism get fired up. Training ideas really start with what the person can tolerate. In most cases, getting the heart rate up is hard to do because the bradycardia response some people exhibit. Use the RPE scale (1-10) and keep the training effort around 5-7. Other ideas include: Resistance training for hypertrophy (Body Building) Use eight to 12 RM values for two to five sets One to two exercises to start, increase when well tolerated Start and end with six to 12 minutes of endurance work (as mentioned above) Ask the HCP about using hyperthermic supplements Train three to four days a week or as tolerated Listen to your client and use common sense. If he or she is "up," then train hard. If "tired," then slow it down. Good luck with the training. Back to top About the author: Steve Rhyan Steve is a member of: National Strength and Conditioning Association American College of Sports Medicine American Society of Exercise Physiologists. <br><br> Steve has been an athlete, coach, teacher and trainer for over 20 years. Steve received his Undergraduate degree in Physical Education/ Biology and Graduate degree in Physiology of Exercise from San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. He has taught from middle school to college and coached high school, college and professional athletes. <br><br> As an athlete, Steve was a professional moto-cross racer for 10 years. He was California State Champion several times, ranked in the top 10 Nationally and in the top 20 Internationally. Steve has also participated in the Decathlon, numerous Triathlons, several Fitness Challenges and won the Police Heptathlon in San Diego, CA. To better understand "Body-Power," Steve studied Kajukenbo(Hawiian Karate) for several years and received a Black Belt. He is pursuing an education in Kodokan Judo to further understand anaerobic conditioning and the application of strength, power and agility. As a coach he specializes in Moto-Cross Racing, Track & Field, Mountain Bike Racing and Surfing. <br><br> Steve is presently a part time lecturer in Exercise Science at Santa Ana College for the Police and Fire Services and is Director of Strength and Conditioning at Specialized Personal Training(SPT) in Mission Viejo, California. At SPT, he specializes in Sports Medicine and Fitness Training for all ages, but especially people over 40 years of age. One of Steve's clients won the female division of the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge, she is 50 years old! Steve has several articles on training for a Fitness Challenge published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning. When he is not writing, studying, teaching or training you can find him, with his family, on the beach surfing. Aloha. <br><br> "I learn by going where I have to go." 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