Chela, remember that Gail Devers won the Gold at the Olympics with Graves’ Disease, on thyroid replacement hormone.
How long it takes each person to return to a more normal state is extremely variable, depending on a number of circumstances, some of which are in our control, and some of which are not. (For example, the severity and duration of hyperthyroidism, amount of muscle lost, length of time to stabilize thyroid levels, nutrition and exercise, etc.)
You may have to give up your expectations of yourself as an athlete temporarily, but not permanently.
I am as active again now as before Graves’, but it has been nearly four years since my diagnosis. I went hypo three months after my RAI, and that’s when my difficulties really started. My thyroid continued to die out steadily for over three years, so I didn’t ever feel entirely well because my dose always needed upward adjustment. During this time I worked out regularly, but my athletic performance (cycling) was pathetic compared to pre-Graves’ days. Until my thyroid quit dying out and I started on Armour, I had problems with endurance, fatigue and muscle weakness. You probably will not have this much trouble, especially if your thyroid levels don’t change a lot and you have a chance to heal.
The endocrinologist speaker at the NGDF Conference last summer told us it can take many months or even years for our bodies to completely recover from the damage caused by hyperthyroidism.
Hopefully you have a doctor who will work with you to find the type and amount of replacement hormone that will restore you to your normal athletic performance quickly.
Best wishes,
Dianne W