Why Heat and Cold Affect People Without a Thyroid

 Tuesday, March 17

Training in the sauna for Kona

One of the things I didn’t expect after losing my thyroid was how much temperature would affect my body.

Before my thyroid surgery in 2005, I didn’t think much about heat or cold when it came to workouts or daily life. If it was hot outside, you sweat. If it was cold, you put on another layer.

But after my thyroid was removed, I began to notice something different.

Some days the heat felt overwhelming.
Other days the cold seemed to cut right through me.

And when you train for endurance sports, weather becomes a much bigger factor.

Why Temperature Sensitivity Happens

The thyroid plays a major role in regulating the body’s metabolism and temperature control.

Thyroid hormones help control how quickly your body produces and uses energy. That process also affects how your body generates and regulates heat.

When the thyroid is removed, the body no longer produces these hormones naturally. Instead, hormone levels depend on medication such as T3 and T4.

While medication helps replace these hormones, it doesn’t always perfectly mimic the body’s natural rhythm.

Because of that, some people living without a thyroid notice change in how their body responds to temperature.

You may feel colder than others around you.

Or in hot environments, your body may struggle to regulate heat as efficiently.

What This Means for Athletes

For endurance athletes, temperature regulation can play a big role in training and racing.

Heat can increase fatigue faster.

Cold can make muscles feel tighter and slower to warm up.

Over time, I learned that temperature wasn’t just a comfort issue — it was something I needed to plan for in my training.

That meant:

• Paying attention to hydration in hot weather
• Allowing extra time to warm up in the cold
• Adjusting pace and expectations on extreme weather days
• Listening carefully to how my body felt during workouts

Learning to Adapt

Endurance sports have taught me that the body is incredibly adaptable.

It might take time to understand how your body responds to temperature changes, especially after thyroid surgery.

But once you start paying attention to those signals, you can learn how to adjust.

Extra layers in the cold.
More hydration in the heat.
More patience on difficult days.

Those adjustments don’t make you weaker.

They make you smarter about how you train.

What Living Without a Thyroid Has Taught Me

Living without a thyroid has taught me to pay attention to things I once ignored.

Energy levels.
Recovery patterns.
Temperature changes.

And endurance sports have helped reinforce the same lesson again and again:

Your body is always communicating with you.

The more closely you listen, the better you can adapt.

Because progress — whether in health or training — doesn’t come from ignoring your body.

It comes from learning how to work with it.

And no matter how small the step forward may feel…

A small step still takes you forward.

— Danniela
IronSunshine ☀️

#NoThyroidAthlete
#IronSunshine
#EnduranceAthlete
#ThyroidWarrior
#StrongOver50

Wowza!

Up at 3:00 AM, with the alarm set for 4:15 AM — first things first, coffee and a quick look outside to see how much snow we got overnight. Thankfully the plows had already come through, which meant I could get on the road and make it to the La Crosse Area Family Y to teach my Pilates and Cardio Essentials classes.

After class, it was off to the sauna for a little recovery. Today is a no-running day, so I’m keeping it light and focusing on recovery.

Later this morning I’ll slow things down and spend some time with the kids over a sweet little breakfast — the perfect way to balance out an early start to the day.

Another reminder that some days are about pushing hard, and other days are about recovery, and gratitude.

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Understanding T3 and T4: The Hormones That Power Your Body and Mind

 

Understanding T3 and T4: The Hormones That Power Your Body and Mind
When people talk about thyroid health, you often hear two terms come up: T3 and T4.
If you no longer have a thyroid — like I don’t — these two hormones become incredibly important because they regulate many of the systems in your body.

But what exactly do they do?
And why do they matter so much for energy, metabolism, and even mental clarity?
What Are T3 and T4?
The thyroid normally produces two primary hormones:
T4 (thyroxine)
T3 (triiodothyronine)
T4 is produced in larger amounts and acts as a storage hormone. Once it enters the body, it is converted into T3, which is the hormone that actually does most of the work.
T3 is the more active hormone and helps control how your cells use energy.
Together, these hormones help regulate many important functions in the body.

What T3 and T4 Do for the Body

Thyroid hormones affect nearly every organ system.

Research published in journals such as The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows that thyroid hormones help regulate:

• Metabolism and how the body burns calories
• Body temperature regulation
• Heart rate and cardiovascular function
• Energy production within cells
• Muscle strength and recovery
• Digestive function

In simple terms, thyroid hormones help determine how efficiently your body uses energy.

That’s why changes in thyroid hormone levels can have such a noticeable impact on how a person feels physically.

What T3 and T4 Do for the Brain

Thyroid hormones also play an important role in brain function.

Studies show they influence:

• Mental focus and concentration
• Mood regulation
• Memory and cognitive function
• Nervous system activity

When thyroid hormone levels are out of balance, people may experience brain fog, fatigue, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating.

For athletes and active individuals, that mental clarity can be just as important as physical energy.

What Happens When You No Longer Have a Thyroid?
Do Athletes Need Different Thyroid Hormone Doses?

When the thyroid is removed, the body can no longer produce T3 and T4 naturally. Instead, these hormones are replaced through medication.
Most people are prescribed levothyroxine (T4), which the body converts into T3. Some individuals may also take additional T3 depending on their personal needs. However, medication does not always perfectly mimic the natural rhythm of the thyroid. That’s why people living without a thyroid sometimes notice changes in energy levels, metabolism, body temperature sensitivity, and recovery from exercise.
Understanding how these hormones function can help explain why the body may feel different after thyroid surgery.

Another question that often comes up is whether athletes or highly active individuals need different thyroid hormone doses than someone who is more sedentary.

The answer is not completely straightforward.
Thyroid hormone dosing is typically based on several factors including body weight, metabolism, age, and blood work results that measure hormone levels. Research suggests that lean body mass and metabolic activity can influence how the body utilizes thyroid hormones. Because athletes often have higher metabolic demands and more lean muscle mass, their bodies may sometimes process thyroid hormones differently. However, thyroid hormone replacement is not adjusted based on activity level alone.

Doctors rely on blood tests — such as TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 — along with symptoms to determine the appropriate dose.
Medication adjustments can take several weeks for the body to respond and for hormone levels to stabilize.
"Patience is part of the process." and it's hard! 

What Endurance Sports Have Taught Me About Living Without a Thyroid

When people hear that I train for endurance races without a thyroid, they often assume the hardest part must be the workouts.

The miles.
The early mornings.
The long runs.

But the truth is, endurance sports have actually been one of the greatest teachers in my life after losing my thyroid.

When my thyroid was removed in 2005, I had to learn how my body worked all over again.

Energy felt different.
Recovery felt different.
Even fueling felt different.

And like many people navigating life without a thyroid, there were moments where I wondered what my limits would look like moving forward.

But endurance sports have a way of teaching you something powerful.

They teach patience.

No one runs a marathon by sprinting the entire way. Progress happens one mile at a time, one training day at a time.

Living without a thyroid is very similar.

Some days your energy feels strong.
Other days your body asks you to slow down.

And the key isn’t fighting those signals — it’s learning from them.

Over time I also learned that my body responds differently to things many people don’t even think about.

Heat and cold can affect me much more than they used to. Extreme temperatures can take a real toll on my energy levels and how my body feels during workouts.

I also had to learn how to recognize things like heart palpitations and understand when my body was telling me something needed attention.

Another important lesson was learning how medication works.

When you live without a thyroid, you rely on medications like T3 and T4 to replace the hormones your body would normally produce. But those medications don’t adjust overnight. If your doctor changes your dosage, it can take three or more weeks for the body to fully respond.

That takes patience.

You can’t expect immediate changes. Your body needs time to find its balance again.

Weight was another lesson that took time to understand.

There were moments when I felt like I was doing everything right — eating well, training hard, staying active — and yet my body weight didn’t always respond the way I expected.

Living without a thyroid sometimes means accepting that your body may hold weight differently or respond differently than someone else’s.

That doesn’t mean you stop moving.

It means you learn to work with your body rather than against it.

Endurance training also teaches resilience.

Not every run feels good.
Not every training week goes perfectly.

But when you keep showing up, your body adapts.

Over the years, endurance sports have shown me something I wish more people understood after thyroid surgery or diagnosis:

Your body is still capable of incredible things.

You may have to listen more closely.
You may have to adjust your approach.
But strength, endurance, and progress are still possible.

Every run reminds me of that.
Every class I teach reminds me of that.
And every step forward — no matter how small — reminds me that progress is always possible.

"Because a small step still takes you forward."

— Danniela
IronSunshine ☀️

#NoThyroidAthlete
#IronSunshine
#EnduranceAthlete
#ThyroidWarrior
#StrongOver50

Why I Fuel My Runs with Peeps, Gummy Bears, Licorice, and Black Jellybeans

If you saw what I eat before a run, you might be a little surprised.

Because my pre-run fuel looks like this:

Gummy bears
Licorice
Jellybeans
And yes… Peeps.... And YES, Easter is my favorite holiday 

It might not look like the typical endurance athlete nutrition plan, but there’s actually a reason behind it.

When you train for endurance sports, your body relies heavily on carbohydrates to fuel long workouts. Those carbohydrates get broken down into glucose, which your muscles use for energy.

For many athletes — especially during longer workouts — simple carbohydrates can work very well because they digest quickly and provide fast energy.

Over the years I’ve learned that this type of quick fuel often works well for my body before certain workouts.

Living and training without a thyroid means my body sometimes responds differently to food, energy demands, and recovery.

Some heavier meals before running can make me feel sluggish.

But small amounts of simple sugars can give me just enough energy to head out the door and start moving.

Of course, that doesn’t mean my entire diet is candy.

Most of my meals focus on balanced nutrition that supports recovery, muscle health, and overall energy.

But before a run or workout — especially after teaching multiple fitness classes — sometimes the simplest fuel works best.

One of the biggest lessons endurance sports have taught me is this:

Your body is constantly giving you feedback.

What works for one athlete may not work for another.

Some runners love gels.
Some prefer bananas.
Some rely on sports drinks.

And, for me, Peeps, gummy bears or jellybeans do the trick.

Training without a thyroid has taught me to listen closely to how my body responds to food, movement, and recovery.

And the more you learn to listen, the better you can adapt your fueling to support your goals.

Endurance training isn’t about finding a perfect formula that works for everyone.

It’s about learning what works for you.

Because every mile teaches you something new.

And every run — fueled by whatever works best for your body — is another step forward.

I have to say almost the night before the big race, I always have a bag of licorice, bagels, pasta and or rice.  Lots of carbs! 

And remember:

A small step still takes you forward.

— Danniela
IronSunshine ☀️

#NoThyroidAthlete
#IronSunshine
#EnduranceAthlete
#ThyroidWarrior
#StrongOver50

How I’m Fueling My Body - Not always candy!

 

Eating to Support Training, Health, and Longevity

As an endurance athlete and fitness instructor, people often ask what I eat during a typical week. The truth is, fueling my body is something I think about very intentionally — not only for performance, but for long-term health.

For those who may not know, I live and train without a thyroid and take T3 and T4 medication daily. Because of that, my metabolism functions a little differently than most peoples, and I have to be thoughtful about how I fuel my body to support my training, energy, and recovery.

Over the years, I’ve learned an important lesson:

Eating less isn’t the answer. Eating smarter is.

This week my focus is simple — fuel my workouts, prioritize protein, and keep my meals balanced and consistent.

My goals for the week

• Eat real, whole foods most of the time
• Fuel workouts so I can train strong
• Include protein at every meal
• Keep healthy fats moderate
• Eat enough carbohydrates to support endurance training

Because I teach multiple classes and train for endurance events, my body burns a significant amount of energy throughout the day. Instead of restricting food, I focus on timing my nutrition around my training.

On harder training days, I increase carbohydrates, so my muscles have the fuel they need. On lighter or recovery days, meals are a little simpler and slightly lower in carbs.

What a typical day of eating might look like

Breakfast
Eggs with oatmeal and berries, or Greek yogurt with fruit and granola.

Lunch
Lean protein such as chicken or fish, vegetables, and a balanced carbohydrate like quinoa or sweet potato.

Snack
Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or a protein smoothie with fruit.

Dinner
Tuna or chicken with roasted vegetables and a healthy carbohydrate such as rice or potatoes.

The key is balance. I try to keep meals simple, nourishing, and consistent.

What I’ve learned over time

The biggest lesson I’ve learned through years of endurance training is this:

Your body performs best when it is fueled, not restricted.

Healthy eating, for me, isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency, balance, and paying attention to what my body needs.

And if my journey as a #NoThyroidAthlete helps someone else realize they can still train, compete, and live fully — then sharing it is worth it.

Here’s to another week of strong workouts, good food, and chasing the sunshine.

#NoThyroidAthlete
#IronSunshine
#EnduranceAthlete
#ThyroidWarrior
#StrongOver50

The Biggest Mistake Athletes Make After Thyroid Removal

When someone loses their thyroid, one of the first questions they often ask is:

“Will I still be able to exercise the way I used to?”

For athletes, that question can feel even bigger.

Running, cycling, swimming, lifting — movement isn’t just exercise. It’s part of identity.

But there’s one mistake I see athletes make over and over again after thyroid removal.

They try to train exactly the same way they did before.

I understand the instinct. I felt it myself.

You want to prove that nothing has changed. You want to keep pushing forward and keep chasing the goals that mattered to you before surgery or diagnosis.

But here’s the reality:

Your body has changed.

And that’s not a weakness — it’s simply something to understand.

When the thyroid is removed, your body relies on hormone replacement like T3 and T4 to regulate metabolism, energy production, and many other functions that affect training.

Those medications are incredibly helpful, but they don’t always replicate the natural rhythm of the thyroid perfectly.

That means your body may respond differently to training than it did before.

Energy might fluctuate more.
Recovery might take more attention.
Fueling becomes more important than ever.

The biggest mistake athletes make is ignoring those signals and trying to force their body to behave the same way it did before.

Instead, the key is learning to adapt.

That might mean paying closer attention to sleep, recovery, and nutrition. It might mean adjusting training intensity on certain days. It might mean being patient when your body needs more time to respond.

Endurance sports actually teach us this lesson very well.

Success in endurance isn’t about forcing the body.

It’s about working with it.

Over the years since losing my thyroid, I’ve trained for marathons, Ironman races, and countless endurance challenges.

Not because my body works exactly the same as it once did.

But because I learned to listen to it, adjust when needed, and stay consistent.

Athletes are incredibly good at pushing through discomfort.

But sometimes the smartest thing an athlete can do is learn when to adapt.

Because when you respect your body and give it what it needs, amazing things can still happen.

Miles can still be run.
Races can still be finished.
Strength can still be built.

And every day you keep showing up reminds you of something powerful:

Remember - "A small step still takes you forward."

— Danniela
Iron Sunshine ☀️
#NoThyroidAthlete

Good Morning Sunshine!

What Doctors Didn’t Tell Me About Endurance Training Without a Thyroid

When my thyroid was removed in 2005, my doctors focused on something very important — helping my body stabilize with medication.

We talked about hormone replacement.
We talked about monitoring levels.
We talked about getting my health back on track.

But there was one thing we didn’t talk much about.

Endurance training.

At the time, I don’t think anyone imagined that years later I would be running marathons, training for Ironman races, and building a life around movement and fitness.

Most medical conversations after thyroid removal focus on returning to normal life — managing energy, maintaining a healthy weight, and stabilizing hormone levels.

But what happens when “normal life” for you includes endurance sports?

Over the years, I’ve learned some things through experience that were never really part of those early conversations.

First, energy doesn’t always behave the way you expect.

With thyroid hormone replacement, your body depends on medication to regulate metabolism and energy production. Most days it works well, but endurance training adds another layer to the equation.

Some workouts feel amazing.
Others feel unexpectedly difficult.

Learning to adapt and listen to those signals becomes incredibly important.

Second, recovery matters more than you might realize.

Endurance training breaks the body down so it can rebuild stronger. When you don’t have a thyroid, recovery can sometimes take a little more attention.

Sleep, nutrition, and rest days are not optional — they are essential parts of training.

Third, fueling becomes a science experiment.

Endurance athletes rely heavily on carbohydrates and steady fuel during long workouts. Over time I’ve learned that paying attention to what I eat, when I eat, and how my body responds makes a big difference in how I train and recover.

What works for one athlete may not work for another.

And that’s okay.

Finally, patience becomes one of your greatest strengths.

Training without a thyroid doesn’t mean you can’t push yourself or pursue big goals.

But it does mean you learn to respect your body in a deeper way.

Progress may look different some days.

Energy may fluctuate.

But the body is incredibly adaptable when you give it time, consistency, and care.

Looking back now, I realize something important.

Doctors helped me understand how to manage my health after thyroid removal.

But endurance sports helped me understand how capable my body still was.

Running miles, teaching classes, and training for races has shown me that limits are not always where we think they are.

Sometimes they simply require us to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Because whether you’re training for a race or simply rebuilding your strength, the same truth applies:

"A small step still takes you forward."

— Danniela
IronSunshine ☀️
#NoThyroidAthlete
#IronSunshine
#EnduranceAthlete
#ThyroidWarrior
#StrongOver50

Why Endurance Athletes Without a Thyroid Often Struggle with Weight and Energy

One of the most frustrating things many people experience after losing their thyroid is the feeling that their body suddenly works differently.

Energy feels unpredictable.
Weight becomes harder to manage.
Training doesn’t always respond the way it used to.

And for endurance athletes, that can feel incredibly confusing.

If you’re running, cycling, swimming, or training for long events, you would assume the miles alone would keep weight and energy balanced.

But when you don’t have a thyroid, things can work a little differently.

I’ve lived without a thyroid since 2005, and over the years I’ve learned that endurance training with thyroid hormone replacement requires a little more awareness and patience.

The thyroid gland normally helps regulate metabolism, energy production, and how the body uses fuel. When it’s removed, those hormones are replaced with medication such as T3 and T4.

Those medications are incredibly helpful, but they don’t always mimic the body’s natural rhythm perfectly. Some days energy feels great. Other days it feels like the tank is running low.

For endurance athletes, that matters.

Long workouts require steady fuel, efficient metabolism, and recovery that allows the body to adapt to training.

Without a thyroid, three common challenges often show up.

1. Energy Can Fluctuate More Than Expected

Some days training feels fantastic. Other days even an easy run can feel harder than expected.

This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. It often means the body is still adapting to the balance between medication, sleep, nutrition, and training load.

Over time I’ve learned to pay attention to these signals and adjust my training when needed.

2. Fueling Becomes Extremely Important

Endurance athletes already depend on nutrition to support long workouts, but when you don’t have a thyroid, fueling can play an even bigger role.

I’ve personally noticed that simple carbohydrates sometimes support my workouts better than heavy meals before training. Quick sugars before a long run or workout can provide the energy my body needs when hormone balance isn’t perfectly aligned.

Every athlete is different but learning how your body responds to different foods becomes incredibly valuable.

3. Weight Changes Can Feel Confusing

Many people without a thyroid feel like they are working incredibly hard but not seeing the weight changes they expect.

This can be discouraging.

But the body is doing something important behind the scenes — constantly working to regulate energy, hormones, and recovery while relying on replacement medication instead of its natural system.

Sometimes the solution isn’t simply training harder.

Sometimes it’s about better recovery, smarter fueling, and patience with the process.

Endurance sports teach us something powerful: progress happens over time.

For me, living without a thyroid hasn’t stopped me from running marathons, training for Ironman races, or continuing to challenge myself as an athlete.

It simply taught me to listen to my body more closely.

To adapt when needed.

And to remember that strength is built one workout, one mile, and one small step at a time.

— Danniela IronSunshine ☀️

Because no matter where you start, progress is still possible.

A small step still takes you forward.

#IronSunshine
#NoThyroidAthlete
#EnduranceAthlete #marathontraining
#Letsdothis #IronmanTraining

#KeepMovingForward

Training Without a Thyroid Teaches You Something Important — Your Body Becomes Your Greatest Teacher

When people ask me what it’s like to train as an endurance athlete without a thyroid, the answer isn’t always about races or big accomplishments.

Most of the time, it’s about the small daily routines.

Training without a thyroid teaches you something important: your body becomes your greatest teacher.

You learn to pay attention to energy, recovery, nutrition, and timing in ways you may never have thought about before.

For me, every day begins the same way.

Because I no longer have a thyroid, I take T3 and T4 medication each morning. I always wake up about an hour before my first class so I can take my medication and give it time to absorb. It needs to sit in my stomach for at least 15 minutes before I even think about touching coffee.

And trust me… coffee is usually the next thing on my mind.

Most mornings I don’t eat right away. I typically wait until after I finish teaching my classes. However, if I’m teaching multiple classes and planning a run afterward, I’ll have something small with simple sugars before I head out.

Sometimes it’s gummy bears.
Sometimes licorice.
Sometimes Black jellybeans.
And yes… my favorite are Peeps.

It might not look like the perfect endurance nutrition plan, but over the years I’ve learned what works for my body.

And that’s the key.

Your body will teach you — if you’re willing to listen.

This week I also started adding running back into my schedule as I prepare for my first race coming up in April.

Here’s what my training week looked like.

Monday

The week started a little rough because I was still feeling sick. But movement is part of my routine, so I got up and taught my morning classes.

6:00 AM – Pilates
7:00 AM – Cardio Essentials

Even on days when energy is low, showing up matters.

Tuesday

Still feeling a bit run down, but the morning schedule continues.

5:00 AM – TRX
6:00 AM – Strength
7:00 AM – TRX

Later in the afternoon I added a light baby jog to start easing back into running again.

Wednesday

Early morning coffee and a 3-mile run before heading to the YMCA.

7:00 AM – Cardio Essentials
Quick trip to run my daughter to school

Then back to the YMCA for:

9:00 AM – Pilates

Thursday

Another early morning start.

5:00 AM – TRX
6:00 AM – Cycling                                                                                                                  7:00 AM – TRX

Later in the afternoon I added a steady 6-mile run as part of building back toward race training.

Friday

6:00 AM – Pilates
7:00 AM – Cardio Essentials

And in the afternoon:

6-mile run

Some weeks feel strong.
Some weeks feel like you’re just holding the pieces together.

But endurance sports — and life — aren’t about perfect weeks.

They’re about continuing to show up, adjusting when needed, and trusting that consistency over time builds strength.

Training without a thyroid has taught me to listen more closely, adapt more often, and appreciate every mile my body allows me to run.

Because every workout, every step, and every small effort adds up.

And at the end of the day, a small step still takes you forward.

— Danniela
Iron Sunshine #nothyroidathlete☀️

Can You Train for Endurance Races Without a Thyroid?

My Honest Experience YES, YOU CAN! 

One of the most common questions I get when people hear my story is simple:

“Is it even possible to train for endurance races without a thyroid?”

The short answer is yes.

But the longer answer is that it takes patience, awareness, and a willingness to learn how your body works differently.

My thyroid was removed in 2005. At the time, I had no idea how much that small gland actually affects the body — metabolism, energy levels, temperature regulation, recovery, and even mental focus.

When the thyroid is removed, your body no longer produces those hormones naturally. Instead, you rely on medication like T3 and T4 to replace them.

For someone who loves endurance sports, that creates a unique challenge.

Because endurance training already pushes the body’s energy systems to their limits.

Add thyroid hormone replacement into the mix, and suddenly things like fueling, recovery, and timing become even more important.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me continue training and racing.

First — energy management matters more than ever.

There are days when energy feels completely normal, and other days when fatigue hits hard. Learning when to push and when to back off has been one of the most important lessons.

Second — fueling is critical.

Many endurance athletes rely on carbohydrates during long workouts, but I’ve noticed that my body responds very differently depending on what I eat and when I eat it. Sometimes simple carbohydrates before or during longer sessions actually help sustain my energy better than heavier meals.

Third — consistency matters more than perfection.

Training with a thyroid condition means some days will feel amazing and others will feel frustrating. What matters most is continuing to show up and building fitness over time.

Since losing my thyroid, I’ve been able to complete marathons, Ironman races, and other endurance challenges. Each race has taught me something new about how my body adapts and how powerful persistence can be.

If you’re someone living without a thyroid and wondering whether endurance sports are still possible for you, I want you to know something:

Your body is still capable of incredible things.

It may take more awareness, more patience, and more learning along the way.

But progress is still possible.

And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply take the next step in front of you.

"Small steps always takes you forward."

— Danniela

#nothyroidathlete 

Starting Again!

 

Life as an Endurance Athlete Without a Thyroid

For a long time, my blog has been a place where I simply shared life as it happened — training runs, races, teaching classes, raising kids, and chasing big endurance goals.

But today I want to start something new with it.

Or maybe I should say… start again.

Because there is one question people ask me more than almost anything else:

“How are you doing Ironman races without a thyroid?”

It’s a fair question.

Back in 2005 my thyroid was removed. For many people, that kind of diagnosis changes everything. Energy levels change. Metabolism changes. Doctors often encourage people to slow down and manage their health carefully.

But before I go any further, it helps to understand something important.

What Is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. Even though it’s small, it plays a very big role in how your body functions.

The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many of the body’s most important systems, including metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, heart rate, and how your body uses nutrients for fuel.

In simple terms, the thyroid acts like a control center for how your body uses energy.

When the thyroid is working normally, it releases hormones that help keep your body balanced. These hormones influence how quickly your body burns calories, how your muscles recover after activity, and even how alert or tired you feel throughout the day.

When the thyroid is removed, the body can no longer produce those hormones on its own. That’s why people without a thyroid rely on medication such as T3 and T4 to replace the hormones the thyroid would normally produce.

These medications help regulate metabolism and energy, but they don’t always perfectly mimic the body’s natural rhythm.

That’s why people living without a thyroid can sometimes experience challenges with fatigue, metabolism, weight management, and recovery.

And while there’s truth in all of that, I also discovered something else along the way.

The human body is incredibly adaptable.

Since losing my thyroid, I’ve gone on to run marathons, complete Ironman races, train for endurance challenges, and continue doing what I love most — moving my body and helping others move theirs.

Has it been easy?

Not always.

There are days when energy crashes harder than expected. Days when fueling feels like a science experiment. Days when medication timing, hormones, recovery, and training all seem to collide at once.

But there’s also something powerful that happens when you stop seeing your body as broken and start learning how it works.

You adapt.
You listen more closely.
You learn patience.
And you realize that limits aren’t always where we think they are.

For years I’ve quietly lived this life — training, racing, coaching, and teaching fitness classes in my community.

But recently I started thinking about something.

There are so many people out there dealing with thyroid issues who believe their athletic days might be over.

Maybe they were told to slow down.

Maybe they feel like their body doesn’t respond the way it used to.

Maybe they simply don’t see anyone showing what’s still possible.

So, I’ve decided to use this space a little differently moving forward.

IronSunshine will still be about endurance, racing, and life — but I’ll also start sharing what it actually looks like to train, fuel, and compete as an athlete without a thyroid.

The good days.
The frustrating days.
The lessons learned from thousands of miles and countless workouts.

If you’re someone navigating life without a thyroid, I hope this space reminds you that your body is still capable of more than you might think.

And if you’re simply someone who loves endurance sports and the lessons they teach us, I’m glad you’re here too.

Because at the end of the day, endurance isn’t just about racing.

It’s about continuing to move forward — even when progress feels small.

Because a small step still takes you forward.

— Danniela
IronSunshine ☀️

#NoThyroidAthlete
#IronSunshine
#EnduranceAthlete
#ThyroidWarrior
#StrongOver50