Thyroid cancer and Tri

Triathlon Forum
1

So unfortunately I was diagnosed with tyroid cancer and will soon be under going surgery to remove it along with some near by lymph nodes. Just wondering if any one on this forum has undergone this surgery and how it may have affected your tri training, etc. I am a 63 year old male, usually do half IMs (about 12 so far) with one full under my belt.

thanks

2

I was told if you have to have cancer, thyroid cancer is the one you want.

I did not have thyroid cancer. However, my thyroid was nuked with radiation to treat the cancer I did have. I have been on levothyroxine (the replacement for the hormone the thyroid makes) for the last 15 years. Once dialed in, the biggest PITA is that you need to take it on an empty stomach every morning. Skipping here and there is not a big deal. I probably miss a dose once or twice a month and never notice.

After you get dialed in, you’ll be fine.

3

My experience isn’t direct… my brother had thyroid cancer and has had a few surgeries (ear to ear incisions) to remove it and lymph nodes.

With that kind of an incision/surgery I’d say a month for sure, maybe do some light trainer riding initially and consult your doctor about returning to swimming and running. Make sure they understand your not just getting in a pool… you’re swimming laps, head in the water, neck turning to breath… not just wading in and splashing a little. Running I think everyone understands that, but that’s my experience with doctors and ‘swimming”.

One other thing I’d mention, take the meds they’ll prescribe you as you don’t have a thyroid anymore. I forget the side effects but my brother really kicked himself for not doing that initially.

Will also pray for you in my run this evening.

4

There really aren’t any side effects to Levothyroxone (Synthroid). It is a pharmaceutical copy of the hormone our bodies make naturally. In effect, the body doesn’t know the difference between what the thyroid makes and the little pill you swallow.

5

Same here, throat cancer now will be be 10 years in my past Dec 6th of this year. They had to shoot the radiation thru my thyroid so on levothyroxine .75 mg for life. In the almost 10 years missed a few doses with zero issues. Also have to drink a lot of water and chew gum on the bike to keep my throat moist since the radiation also killed several saliva glands in my throat. A side effect from treatment and not the worst issue to have.

6

It makes fueling for long course events much more difficult. I am actually competitive in local short course triathlon. But the longer the course, the more relevant fueling is, the more submediocre I get. I’m planning IMCA this October and my training revolves around trying to time my fueling. Just gulping fluid on the bike is a nonstarter for me. I could be the first ever Ironman athlete to drown on the bike!

7

Thanks everyone. going under the knife in a couple of weeks. Hoping for the best. Thanks again.

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