Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is hyperactive. It normally leads to a very high metabolism, significant weight-loss and an increased risk of cell damage. The hCG diet is a combination of injections with the pregnancy hormone hCG and a near-starvation diet that provides 500 calories a day. There are not enough studies of hCG to establish the side-effects of this hormone within a diet regimen. But following a starvation-diet when your thyroid gland is hyperactive is likely to be unsafe.
Hyperthyroidism
When the thyroid gland is hyperactive, it secretes higher than normal amounts of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. The thyroid hormones control the metabolic rate. Excess thyroid hormones increase the metabolic rate, which leads to weight loss. Excess thyroid hormones also increase the risk of oxidative stress, a condition in which oxygen's reaction with molecules in the body produces an excess of free radicals, a type of molecules that can cause cell damage. (ref 6)
hCG Diet
The hCG diet dates back to 1950s when A.T.W. Simeons discovered that the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, together with a calorie-restriction diet, helped people lose fat. (ref 1, 3) The hCG diet has increased in popularity since hCG diet centers started to appear around the country in the 2000s. The diet consists of daily injections of hCG combined with a restriction of carbohydrates and calories. Dieters are allowed to consume 500 calories worth of low-carb foods a day. Those who follow the diet do lose weight but it is unclear whether the weight loss is due solely to the near-starvation diet or the pregnancy hormone.
Side Effects of hCG
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has approved hCG, for the treatment of infertility. The hormone promotes ovulation in women and can increase testosterone and sperm production in men. During pregnancy, the hormone prepares the uterine lining for the growing embryo. When used as a treatment of infertility, hCG is associated with a number of side-effects, including pain at the site of the injection, numbness, tingling, dizziness, confusion, headaches and blood clots. (Ref 4)
The hCG Diet and Hyperthyroidism
Since the FDA has not approved hCG for weight loss, information about the side-effects of the hormone together with the near-starvation diet is sparse. US Today reports a case of a woman who suffered from a blood clot in the lungs after following the diet. (Ref 1) However, even if hCG should turn out to be relatively harmless, there is good reason why people with hyperthyroidism should not follow the diet. In hyper-thyroidism weight-loss normally occurs fast. If you consume only 500 calories a day, you put yourself in a condition that is very similar to starvation. Muscle and fat will break down quickly as your body struggles to get enough energy.
References
- "U.S. News and World Report"; HCG Diet Dangers: Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?; Angela Haupt; March 2011
- New York Times: Diet Plan With Hormone Has Fans and Skeptics; March 2011
- HCG Diet Info: The Original HCG Diet by A.T.W. Simeons
- Drugs: hCG
- Mayo Clinic: Hyperthyroidism
- "Hormone and Metabolic Research"; Oxidative Stress and Anti-Oxidant Metabolites in Patients with Hyperthyroidism: Effect of Treatment; B. Bianchi, et al.; November 1999
Member Comments