Hypothyroidism, sometimes called low thyroid, is a common disease affecting people of any age and race. It is more common in women, affecting up to 20 percent of women over age 50. Many people with hypothyroidism have difficulty losing weight, even after treatment. Certain supplements and lifestyle changes may help.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism happens when there is not enough thyroid hormone circulating in the bloodstream. The thyroid gland controls the body's metabolism by producing two hormones, T4 and T3. These hormones influence your heart rate and body temperature, regulate the production of protein and generally affect nearly all the tissues and organs of the body. When your metabolism slows down because of low thyroid, it affects a number of bodily systems, causing an array of symptoms.
Symptoms and Causes
Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, intolerance to cold, decreased sexual interest and an enlargement of the thyroid gland, called a goiter. If not treated, hypothyroidism can cause mental health problems, trouble breathing, heart problems and a lowered body temperature.
A common cause of low thyroid function is Hashimoto's disease, a possibly hereditary autoimmune condition. Thyroiditis, another cause, can happen after a pregnancy or viral illness. Being treated with radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism can cause hypothyroidism. Lack of iodine and pituitary gland problems are also causes.
Low Thyroid and Weight Gain
Since hypothyroidism affects the basal metabolic rate, usually some weight gain is associated with it. According to the American Thyroid Association, the cause of weight gain in people with hypothyroidism is complex and not always related to excess fat. The majority of weight gained is because of an accumulation of water and salt. With treatment, a small weight loss of less than 10 percent of body weight usually results.
Weight Loss
According to Mary Shomon, thyroid patient advocate and author of "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," people with hypothyroidism often complain about difficulty losing weight. Shomon believes three factors impact this: a changed metabolic "set point," changes in brain chemistry and insulin resistance.
Shomon theorizes that because the body's metabolism is underfunctioning, metabolic resistance becomes impaired, encouraging the body to establish a higher set point. She believes changes in brain chemistry happen because of metabolism being too slow for the appetite level set by your brain. Insulin resistance comes into play because the slowed down metabolism also slows carbohydrate processing, creating excess insulin, which causes excess weight.
Tips for Weight Loss
Shomon names four things people with hypothyroidism might try to lose weight: antidepressants, regular aerobic exercise, breathing and a low-glycemic diet.
She suggests antidepressants, based on information from sufferers who said their diet and exercise plans suddenly started to work after their doctors prescribed a short course of antidepressants. Aerobic exercise also can raise metabolism and burn calories. Since hypothyroidism affects the strength of respiratory muscles, a program of deep breathing such as yoga or meditation can reduce fatigue and increase energy. Eating a low-glycemic diet also encourages weight gain.
