If you are experiencing weight loss, it could be the sign of an underlying medical problem with your thyroid. The thyroid is a gland in the neck above the collar bone shaped like a butterfly. Your thyroid gland helps regulate your body's metabolism; if your metabolism is too high, you can experience symptoms including an increased heart rate and weight loss.
Thyroid Function
Your thyroid function is an important component of how your body manages everything from weight and energy levels to heart rate. As the thyroid produces thyroid hormones such as thyroxine or T4 and triiodothyronine or T3, your body determines how fast to use energy and create proteins in the bloodstream, explains Lab Tests Online. As your blood levels fluctuate, the hypothalamus releases chemicals, and the pituitary gland regulates the amount of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. When T3 and T4 hormones are working, the body can metabolize properly and the liver and kidneys can perform effectively. Too little or an imbalance of the hormones can lead to weight gain, hair loss and fatigue. When the body makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, the body goes into overdrive with tremors, weakness, insomnia and weight loss.
Thyroid Conditions
Hyperthyroidism is a serious condition in which the thyroid gland overproduces thyroxine. Instead of your body processing food and energy at a normal level, it accelerates rapidly. The most prominent sign is often weight loss, which is sometimes sudden and drastic, explains MayoClinic.com. Hyperthyroidism has a wealth of other symptoms including an increase in appetite, sweating and anxiety.
Another thyroid condition that can also cause sudden weight loss is Grave's disease. It is similar to hyperthyroidism in that you also experience rapid heart rate, muscle weakness and tremors. Although rare, cancer of the thyroid can also cause weight loss. The National Cancer Institute reports around 37,000 cases of thyroid cancer annually.
Causes
Most thyroid disorders, including hyperactive thyroid, are caused by Grave's disease. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body fails to protect itself against viruses and bacteria. A goiter, thyroid nodule or thyroiditis, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excess hormone due to a virus, are other possible causes. These conditions can lead to weight loss, even if you are eating a moderate or high-fat diet.
Diagnosing and Treatment
Treatment for an overactive thyroid begins with testing the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your bloodstream. The levels should be within a normal range between 0.4 and 4.0 mI. Additional thyroid blood testing along with an ultrasound of the thyroid can help confirm a diagnosis. If you have nodules or a goiter is found, doctors may perform a biopsy. Treatment for an overactive thyroid may include radio-iodine therapy. Beta blockers and anti-thyroid medications will help lower hormone levels and restore the thyroid to a normal state.
