HYROX competition doesn’t rely only on muscle strength—it also requires endurance, energy, metabolism, and recovery. With continuous intense training, the body must adapt across multiple systems, including the endocrine system and hormones—especially for those entering middle age. People with diabetes or thyroid disease may be deficient in certain hormones without realizing it. Without a pre-race check-up before competing in HYROX, the body may develop unexpectedly severe abnormalities.
How are hormones related to exercise?
Hormones help the body function in balance, which affects exercise performance, including:
- Testosterone (Testosterone) is a male sex hormone that helps build muscle mass and bone mass. If the body has low testosterone for a long period, it may lead to low bone density or (Male infertility) in men.
- Growth hormone (Growth Hormone) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and released into the bloodstream. It helps strengthen muscles, repair worn tissues, and increase fat metabolism. As age increases, growth hormone levels decline.
- Cortisol (Cortisol) is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to physical stress. During exercise, cortisol helps ensure the body has enough energy for muscles, supports normal blood vessel function, and helps regulate the immune system so it does not overreact to muscle injury from exercise.
- Insulin (Insulin) is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels. In general, during exercise when muscles need to use sugar for energy, the pancreas reduces insulin secretion to keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Thyroid hormone (Thyroid Hormone) is a hormone that regulates the body’s energy metabolism and efficiently mobilizes energy for use during exercise. If the thyroid functions abnormally, metabolism slows, fatigue occurs easily, and weight increases.
- Endorphin (Endorphin) is a brain hormone that helps reduce pain. During exercise, the body may accumulate stress, so this hormone helps relieve pain and improve mood, making us feel good and want to continue exercising.
Why is preparation before competing in HYROX important?
- Prepare the body to adapt better and to handle sustained endurance, strength, and power.
- Reduce the chance of injury from overexertion and fatigue.
- Set an appropriate running (Pace) and manage energy throughout the HYROX competition well.
- Train to become familiar with exerting effort while accumulated fatigue is still present.
- Care for the body properly with nutrition, hydration, and rest to be at your best on race day HYROX.
How necessary is hormone testing before competing in HYROX ?
Hormone testing before competing in HYROX is not necessary for everyone, and it is not necessary to test every hormone. This depends on symptoms, health history, risk factors, and specialist physician judgment. However, for those with underlying diseases or abnormal symptoms hormone testing by a specialist helps ensure appropriate preparation before competing in HYROX —confidently and safely all the way to the finish line.
Who should get hormone testing before competing in HYROX
- Those with underlying conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid disease
- Palpitations or dizziness during exercise
- Training at the same level but becoming abnormally fatigued easily
- Abnormal changes in weight or muscle mass
- Irregular menstruation
- Decreased performance for no known reason
- Slow recovery after exercise
These symptoms may not be caused solely by hormone imbalance; they may result from overtraining, insufficient rest, or other underlying diseases. You should see a specialist physician for a detailed evaluation.
Before competing in HYROX , which hormones should be checked?
For hormone testing before competing in HYROX , the doctor will consider what is appropriate for each individual. The key may not be testing as many hormones as possible, but testing those that match symptoms and indications.
- Check thyroid hormone (Thyroid Hormone)
- Check sex hormones, such as testosterone (Testosterone) in men or estradiol (Estradiol) in women
- Check vitamin D level (Vitamin D level)
- Check cortisol (Cortisol)
- Other checks as appropriate
Before competing in HYROX , is it necessary to check testosterone and cortisol?
Testing testosterone (Testosterone) and cortisol (Cortisol) should be done when there are symptoms or signs suggesting deficiency of these hormones, because both 2 hormones can change due to many factors such as the time of testing, stress, and certain underlying diseases. In some cases, a single test may not clearly indicate whether there is a deficiency, so interpretation must be done with caution.
Should patients with diabetes have a detailed check-up before competing in HYROX ?
Because HYROX is a high-intensity exercise competition, patients with diabetes, including those with prediabetes, and those who are overweight should be screened for metabolic syndrome (Metabolic Syndrome) such as fasting blood sugar (Fasting plasma glucose), HbA1c (HbA1c), blood lipids, kidney function, electrolyte balance, blood pressure, etc., and also check other hormones if indicated.
In the case of patients with diabetes, exercise can cause blood sugar levels to change both high and low, depending on the type, intensity, and duration of exercise, and those using insulin or certain medications must be cautious about hypoglycemia. Blood sugar should be monitored before, during, and after exercise. Therefore, you should consult an experienced doctor to plan appropriate care before joining the competition.
Is thyroid hormone testing necessary before competing in HYROX
Thyroid hormones play an important role in exercise in terms of energy metabolism and the function of various systems in the body. If the thyroid gland functions abnormally, symptoms may include easy fatigue, rapid heartbeat, unexplained weight gain or loss, abnormal sensitivity to heat or cold, and muscle weakness. This can negatively affect health and change exercise capacity. If you have symptoms, you should undergo an evaluation of thyroid function with a specialist before competing in HYROX to plan appropriate preparation and prevent harm to the body.
Is hormone supplementation necessary before competing in HYROX ?
If hormone testing with a specialist physician shows normal levels, there is no need for additional hormones. However, if there is hormonal abnormality or deficiency of certain hormones, hormone supplementation is necessary only as recommended by the doctor. Do not use it on your own under any circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Training hard but getting tired easily before competing in HYROX —could it be due to hormones?
A: It can be caused by many reasons and is not specific to hormone deficiency alone. You should be evaluated by a specialist physician to check hormones based on appropriate indications.
Q: Losing weight while training for HYROX —what should I do if my energy is insufficient?
A: Many people set goals before competing in HYROX to lose fat, gain muscle, and improve their HYROX time by restricting food too much while increasing intense training. This can lead to insufficient energy intake for the body’s needs and may affect various systems such as metabolism, the sex hormone system (in women, menstruation may become irregular; in men, it may affect the reproductive system), and reduced bone mass, resulting in poorer muscle recovery and decreased athletic performance. Therefore, you should plan appropriate nutrition alongside training. If you have chronic fatigue, slow recovery, or irregular menstruation, you should consult a doctor for further tests.
“Preparing before competing in HYROX is not just about fitness or enough training—you need to know your own hormones.”
A hospital experienced in hormone analysis
The Diabetes, Thyroid, and Endocrine Center at Bangkok Hospital provides comprehensive hormone care with a team of specialist physicians across multiple disciplines (Multidisciplinary Thyroid Team) with extensive experience, modern technology, and a multidisciplinary team ready to plan treatment and provide close consultation so patients can live confidently at every stage of life.
Doctors experienced in hormone analysis
Dr.Nida Serichantalergs Endocrinology and Metabolism Specialist, Bangkok Hospital
You can click here to make an appointment yourself.
