Smizzy Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Jets | Houston Battling Thyroid Condition Tue, 19 Jul 2005 20:32:42 -0700 Karen Crouse, of The New York Times, reports New York Jets rookie RB Cedric Houston was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism during a physical examination at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February. Houston said the condition first came to light during his senior season at Tennessee. "I was tired a lot," Houston said. "I was sweating a lot. I was jittery all the time. My vision was blurry. It was awful. I didn't know what was wrong. I thought I was just getting old." According to team physician, Dr. Elliot J. Pellman, Houston is currently taking medication for his thyroid and must have his blood tested at least once a month so that his thyroid-stimulation hormone values can be monitored. The team expects his levels thyroid levels to return to normal shortly. "Right now is the best I've felt in three or four years," Houston said. "It's the perfect time to get my zip back." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 If Houston is feeling his best he has in the past 3 or 4 years just imagine what he might be able to do for us!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I didn't know what was wrong. I thought I was just getting old." Not good for a kid that's 22. :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 It is interesting because it is a gamble. If he has this problem and they cure him does his performance increase? I think the Jets are betting on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Rookie's Biggest Problem Is His Thyroid Condition E-Mail This Printer-Friendly Reprints By KAREN CROUSE Published: July 20, 2005 The sturdily built Cedric Houston extended his hand in greeting. His arm was trembling, as if he had just lifted weights to exhaustion. In fact, he was at rest. Because of an overactive thyroid, Houston's metabolism is stuck in fifth gear even when he downshifts to first. His hyperthyroidism was uncovered during a physical examination at the N.F.L. combine in Indianapolis in February. When doctors at the combine sat Houston down and delivered the diagnosis, he was thrown for a loss. "What's a thyroid?" he asked. Houston, 23, has since schooled himself on the body's regulatory center. And the Jets studied a scouting report on Houston from their medical staff before selecting him in the sixth round of the draft, with the 182nd pick over all. It was a relief, Houston said, to find out there was a medical explanation for the mystifying symptoms he tried to shrug off during his senior season at Tennessee. Houston rushed for 1,005 yards in 2004, averaging 5.6 yards a carry despite never feeling quite right. "I was tired a lot," Houston said. "I was sweating a lot. I was jittery all the time. My vision was blurry. It was awful. I didn't know what was wrong. I thought I was just getting old." Trooper Taylor, who started coaching the running backs at Tennessee last year, could not understand why Houston would run two plays, then go to the sideline to catch his breath. Taylor had not been around the 6-foot, 225-pound Houston long enough to know whether he was dealing with a lackadaisical player or an overloaded one. "I thought his fatigue was from burning the candle at both ends," Taylor said in a telephone interview. "He'd tell me he was getting enough rest. I wanted to trust him, but in the back of my mind I was wondering if his fatigue was stemming from the nightlife or not managing his time well, so he was up all night studying." Taylor's solution was to assign Houston extra running during practices. Knowing what he does now, it pains Taylor to say, "I was thinking the more he runs, the better shape he'll be in." He may as well have been giving candy bars to a diabetic. Houston became more worn out. "That's when I really started struggling with the sense that something's not right," Taylor said. "I'd see the kid in tears because he had goals and he was trying to make his body do things and it wouldn't." Houston said some N.F.L. teams wrote him off after his thyroid condition came to light. "A lot of coaches didn't know what to make of it," he said recently during an interview at the Jets' practice facility in Hempstead, N.Y. With Curtis Martin and Derrick Blaylock under contract, the Jets had the luxury of drafting a running back they could bring along slowly. "We knew when we drafted him that it would be a three- or four-month period bringing his thyroid to its normal levels," said David Price, the Jets' athletic trainer. "We think he can be a player that he's never been before. Because who knows how long he was playing with this condition? It's a testament to how good an athlete he is that he could get by with it and play as well as he did." Houston, who was recently signed to a four-year contract, is taking medication for his thyroid and must have his blood tested at least once a month so that his thyroid-stimulation hormone values can be monitored. Dr. Elliot J. Pellman, the team physician, said that in most cases normal thyroid function is restored through such treatment. It is difficult to bring the powerful Houston down, but his thyroid condition occasionally manages to do so. He was running wind sprints during a workout last month when he had to pull up. "My heart started beating faster, like it was jumping out of my chest," Houston said. "It gets me nervous. You're doing normal running and your pulse is 120 and you can't breathe." When that happens, Houston has the green light from the Jets to stop. Slowly, steadily, he has been able to do more with less discomfort. "Right now is the best I've felt in three or four years," he said. "It's the perfect time to get my zip back." This is the whole story- pretty amazing what he was able to accomplish in college with this condition- The Jets can work to get the thyroid problem fixed So we can try to bring him along slowly in his development hopefully this year to be in a position to contribute in the future years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehands Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 People with thyroid problems will tend to go through weight fluctuations while they get it under control. Not a good sign for an NFL runningback if he balloons up while they are adjusting his medication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I would hope that the doctors stay on top of him so he doesn't blow up. This kid has 1st round RB potential if he stays healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 People with thyroid problems will tend to go through weight fluctuations while they get it under control. Not a good sign for an NFL runningback if he balloons up while they are adjusting his medication. Well it's not like we are expecting Houston to take over as the starter next season. He will have time to get himself healthy and in good shape before handed the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Not good for a kid that's 22. :? Hell, I'm only 23, and I feel old But, then again, that's after 10 miles of rollerblading, 2 hours of beach volleyball (we, uh... play real hard... as in we fly all over the court, spiking, sliding in the sand, ect), an hour of horrible hoops, and a half hour of Yoga. I think my ankle's going to fall off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionelRichie Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 this kid could turn out to be the steal of the draft. if he get his thyroid in order he has the potential to be a jamal lewis type back - just minus the drug deals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirlancemehlot Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Not good for a kid that's 22. :? Sounds like maybe he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. Attributing weakness, dizziness, and exhaustion to getting old at the age of 22? I mean, I could see if he caught himself driving with his turn signal on for a few miles... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green DNA Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 People with thyroid problems will tend to go through weight fluctuations while they get it under control. Not a good sign for an NFL runningback if he balloons up while they are adjusting his medication. No problem, we'll just move him to fullback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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