Unintentional weight gain is one of the potential consequences of an underactive thyroid. With an underactive thyroid, too few thyroid hormones are produced within the body, creating a hormonal imbalance that can actually slow your base metabolic rate, according to the American Thyroid Association. Your BMR has a direct impact on metabolism, which can translate into a reduction in your current caloric need. For some people living with an underactive thyroid, not reducing caloric consumption to meet current caloric need can lead to weight gain.
Medication
The first step to treating an underactive thyroid is medication. You must restore the hormone levels within your body to expect any sort of improvement in your condition. A synthetic thyroid hormone known as levothyroxine is the standard form of treatment. You should see an improvement in your condition within one to two weeks after starting this prescription drug.
Weight Loss
Most people experience a weight loss of less than 10 percent of their body weight with medical treatment, explains the American Thyroid Association. This weight loss is linked to the loss of salt and water that has accumulated within the body as a result of hypothyroidism. In more severe cases of hypothyroidism, treatment may result in a return to your original body weight prior to the development of the condition.
Dietary Restrictions
Dietary restrictions are often required while taking medications to treat this condition. The reason for this is that certain foods, especially those high in fiber, can affect the absorption rate of levothyroxine, which decreases the efficacy of the drug, explains Todd B. Nippoldt, an endocrinologist with the Mayo Clinic. It's also important to avoid walnuts, soybean flour and cottonseed meal.
Thyroid Diet
Other than these dietary restrictions, there's no such thing as a thyroid diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. If medical treatment fails to encourage weight loss, the hormonal imbalance isn't likely the cause for weight gain. As soon as hormone levels return to normal, you should be able to lose weight in the same fashion as people without a thyroid disorder, asserts the American Thyroid Association.
Recommendation
To encourage weight loss, you must learn to balance your caloric consumption with your level of physical activity. You can do this by decreasing your caloric intake, increasing your physical activity or a combination of both. Eating fewer processed foods while increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can often lower your caloric intake enough to promote weight loss. Exercising 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week can increase the number of calories you burn each day, which can also encourage weight loss. Talk to your doctor or dietitian to determine the best approach for you and your health.
