Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. Its ability to function affects the rest of your body and your organs. Exercise is helpful in fighting many diseases and conditions such as hypothyroidism. It can help prevent the onset of depression that can be associated with hypothyroidism as well decrease weight gain that could be caused by an underactive thyroid gland. You may improve your thyroid gland's functioning with exercising.
Symptoms
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid does not create enough hormones to help regulate certain functions in your body. If you have hypothyroidism, you may notice more fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and constipation. You also may have a sensitivity to cold and experience muscle aching or weakness, swelling and pain in your joints and have feelings of depression.
Factors Affecting Thyroid
An autoimmune disease, treatment for hyperthyroidism, radiation or certain medications can interfere with your thyroid's ability to produce several important hormones. The thyroid gland does produce two hormones that help regulate your body temperature and control your heart rate. This gland also determines how quickly your body metabolizes fats and carbohydrates. Your physician may test you for hypothyroidism by taking a blood sample to check your thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH. This test will help reveal whether you have hypothyroidism.
Treatment and Exercise
Typically, doctors treat hypothyroidism with medication. Several weeks after you begin treatment, you may notice you have more energy and are less fatigued. Your other symptoms may subside as well. Staying physically active may help with your thyroid function as well. An article published in "Neuroendocrinology Letters," states that exercise affects the activity of many glands and the production of their hormones. One of the glands affected is the thyroid. There is uncertainty as to what effect exercise has on that gland. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that exercise does improve the thyroid's ability to function. It is unknown how this exercise helps the thyroid work more efficiently. Because hypothyroidism can cause fatigue and loss of energy, you may have difficulty exercising. You may experience a change in your mood that makes exercise a challenge.
Considerations
See your physician if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism. Left unchecked, hypothyroidism can lead to further problems, such as such as obesity, joint discomfort, infertility and heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. If you do have hypothyroidism and are thinking about an exercise program, see your physician or health care provider. Exercise may help your thyroid to function better and improve your overall health.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid); Mayo Clinic Staff
- "Neuroendocrinology Letters"; Exercise Intensity and Its Effect on Thyroid Hormones; Figen Ciloglu et al.; May 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Thyroiditis
- MayoClinic.com; Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Exercise; Mayo Clinic Staff
