Thyroid stimulating hormones, TSH, plays a role in the overall health of your thyroid gland. The thyroid, located at the base of your neck, is responsible for your metabolism, which affects virtually every part of the body. Intense exercise can influence hormone production, including TSH. However, the amount is not significant enough to disrupt hormone production. Intense exercise shouldn't be used as an alternative method to increase TSH production. Consult with your endocrinologist before starting an exercise program.
Role of TSH
TSH is produced by the pituitary gland, located in the brain. Medline Plus explains that TSH directly influences the amount of hormones your thyroid produces. The thyroid hormones include triiodothyronine, T3, and thyroxine, T4. T4 makes up the majority of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism occurs when you don't produce enough hormones. An increased level of TSH in the blood also indicates this disease. Hyperthyroidism is marked by a decrease in TSH levels and an increased amount of T3 and T4 hormones.
Thyroid Treatments
Thyroid disorders are treated in a number of ways. Hypothyroidism requires hormone replacement in the form of prescription medications. Hyperthyroidism is a little more challenging, and may sometimes result in undergoing treatment to destroy part of the thyroid gland in an effort to prevent the over-production of hormones. At the same time, your doctor will likely encourage you to start a regular exercise program and healthy diet. This will make you feel better, help maintain your weight and prevent chronic diseases in the future. Exercise is especially important in hypothyroid patients, because the disease slows down the metabolism.
Misconceptions
Exercise is a part of a healthy lifestyle, and shouldn't be used to increase TSH levels in hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is marked by an increased heart rate, jitters and fatigue, among other symptoms. Working out at too intense of a level will increase your heart rate, and perhaps worsen your hyperthyroid symptoms. Furthermore, a study conducted by the "European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology," revealed that TSH levels fluctuate throughout exercise, usually decreasing during a workout and increasing within minutes after exercising.
Prevention/Solution
Intense exercise is not a solution to help increase your TSH levels for hyperthyroidism. Working out a higher intensity may temporarily increase TSH levels, but will not likely disrupt treatment for hypothyroidism. Work out with a regular and consistent exercise routine. By maintaining a moderate level of intensity during your workouts, your TSH levels will start to level off on their own. Gradually increase the intensity as you become stronger. TSH levels will somewhat vary if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. You should continue to receive regular blood tests from your endocrinologist.
