under active thyroid in an elite athlete

[Guest guest]

My daughter has been recently diagnosed with a underactive thyroid.

She has just turned 15. Her TSH was 20.95 and her T4 was 9. She also

has a ferritin level of 15. The doctor has prescribed 50mcg of

thyroxin along with ferrous sulphate. Thyroxin to be taken in the

morning and ferrous taken in the evening so they don't clash. She

has been taking the tablets for about 3 weeks.

My daughter is also an elite swimmer to national standard and trains

for 18 hrs per week swimming doing about 50km plus 2 land training

sessions per week of about 45 mins duration. The doctor was amazed

that she could do the training and compete to the level that she has

with her thyroid levels as they are. I know it is really early days

for her but she feels exhausted most of the time and you can

physically see her energy levels deplete when she is competing.

What I am looking for is some advice relating to an elite athlete. I

would like to know what to do for the best in terms of her training

eg aerobic sets rather than anerobic sets. Should she cut down her

sessions? Is there anything else I can give her to help her energy

levels during events? Is there anything she should avoid doing or

eating? How long does it take for her to feel less tired?

I can find nothing on the web and don't know where to go to get the

re assurance that she needs. The more I read from you guys the more

I am amazed she is swimming at all. Is she only slightly underactive

compared to most of you?

Thanks