Thyroid disorders are closely connected to body weight problems. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are caused by a malfunctioning thyroid. Thus, weight gain is not the cause of thyroid problems, it is a symptom. If you are attempting to lose weight and not succeeding, thyroid problems are a possibility. According to the National Institutes of Health, the thyroid regulates how the body uses energy from food.
What Is the Thyroid?
Located just above your collarbone, the thyroid is an endocrine gland and makes hormones. Controlled by the pituitary gland, the thyroid uses iodine from the food you eat to make thyroid hormones. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are the hormones produced when thyroid cells combine iodine and an amino acid called tyrosine. When put into the bloodstream, the hormones control metabolism throughout the body, explains Endocrine Web.
Hypothyroidism
When the thyroid is underactive and does not produce enough hormones, it is called hypothyroidism. Low levels of thyroid hormone cause the body to slow down. The result is being unable to tolerate cold, tiredness, dry skin and depression. Many disorders can cause these symptoms, suspected thyroid disorder should be diagnosed with a blood test, according to the American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism makes it very difficult to lose weight because it slows metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism
Too much thyroid hormone circulating in the body is called hyperthyroidism. Weight loss that occurs even when you eat the same or more is a symptom of overactive thyroid. Heart problems including rapid heartbeat and irregular heartbeat can be caused by too much thyroid hormone. Nervousness, trembling, sweating and becoming unable to tolerate heat also signal problems. Sometimes a swelling at the base of the neck, called a goiter will appear, says the Mayo Clinic.
Causes
An underactive thyroid problem can happen because the body's immune system attacks the thyroid and damages it. Babies can be born without a thyroid or have a malfunctioning thyroid. Certain medications can cause the thyroid to stop working. Damage to the pituitary gland by a tumor impairs the gland's ability to tell the thyroid to release hormone, causing it to shut down. Overactive thyroid can be caused by inflammation that stimulates it to produce too much hormone. Graves' disease causes antibodies to attack the thyroid pushing it to release too much hormone. Thyroid problems can be inherited; if a family member suffers from thyroid dysfunction, bring it to the attention of your doctor.
Treatment
Losing weight is good for overall health, but it won't cure thyroid problems. For an underactive thyroid, a synthetic version of thyroxine will act the same way as natural thyroid hormones. This treatment is very effective but must be continued for life, according to The American Thyroid Association. According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment for overactive thyroid can be more complex. Drugs can slow the thyroid and normalize function but can also cause serious liver damage and even death. Radioactive iodine can be taken to shrink the thyroid and cause less hormone to be released. The thyroid can be surgically removed, but the surgery can damage nearby structures. With surgery and often with radioactive iodine treatment, the thyroid stops producing hormones completely and you will need thryroxine treatment for life.
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