Low heart rate and metabolism

Ok so in 1994 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism - no biggie, have been taking synthroid since then, with only one period of fluctuation in dosage - which was about 2-3 years ago.

I have had some metabolic testing at my gym, measuring various gasses when breathing at rest and while on the treadmill and the technician was puzzled nad convinced my results were wrong.

I've had a low heart rate all during adulthood which I explain with the hypothyroid - resting heart rate is normally in the 50's or low/mid 60's

My PEAK heart rate according to this study at the gym is only 111 .... meaning 111 bpm for max fat burning.

THIS IS SO LOW and I do not even struggle or feeling I am exerting myself when I am at 111 bpm.

Most women my age should be around 140 for their peak.

Anyone out there have a similar or same issue?

I've fought HARD for weight loss during hte past 6 years and have lost 90 pounds but every single ounce lost is a battle.

thnk the low heart rate influences rate of weight loss????

HELP!

My opinion is that the Meds are throwing off the fitness test results and if you're working out at a exertion level "SO LOW and I do not even struggle or feeling I am exerting myself" then you are not working out hard enough for the type of results you are wanting.  Push yourself harder and you will burn more calories and get a greater health benefit from the exercise that you are doing.

I've always pushed myself cardio wise - always get my heart rate up to 130-140's .... this new number is simply based on the test we did the other day and such

But thanks!

i am going to keep with the "normal" recommendations as you said nad see what happens

FWIW, I'm a firm believer in the calories out >calories in = weight loss.  Everything else is secondary.  I don't think heart rate is a factor other than how it may possibly effect your estimate of calories burned.

It sounds like the heart rate monitor was off.  I have an under-active thyroid too & it has never stopped me from achieving a heart rate of 150 or better! 

If you are on beta blockers (as I am) it results in a lower heart rate for a given level of exertion. I agree with trhawley about hr vs calorie burn for those on meds. I found that using an hrm to calculate calories burned had me near starvation mode due to not eating back enough calories. I had to change how I calculated calorie burn and mostly use kentucky windage applied to Calorie King and CC values.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts.

I did one hour of cardio last night nad kept my heart rate between 137-142 so I will stick with that for now as all are suggesting.

I think it probably is all meds impacted - so I will go with what is common for poeple my age, etc., and see hwo it goes because movement of any kind os better than no movement!

Hey I see you got a lot of advise from people who might not understand your condition, If you have hypothyroidism your heart rate will be lower and it will be harder for you to raise your heart rate during exercise.  I am a long distance runner and I have hypothroidism. I'm on synthroid for it.  My resting heart rate is still 40, and to raise it through exercise is a struggle sometimes.  My advise is to buy a heart rate monitor watch from Walmart or Target (about $25-35) and monitor your heart rate during daily activities - and then while you exercise.  It will help you get an idea of when you are exercising hard enough.  Mypersonal trainer gave me this advise and it really helped me during my marathons.  Hope it helps you too!

Thank you for your advice!  I have been isiong a heart rate monitor, paired with results from metabolic testing that identified my personal zones for training ..... this has helped tremendously!!!

And you're so right - at hte beginning of exercising it's like pulling teeth to get my heart rate up to zone 2-3 ... once I am there for about 25-30 minutes though I settle into a groove nad can keep it there for an hour or more .....

And wow - 40 bpm really is low ... mine's normally 55-60 resting.

thanks again!