How to Beat Thyroid Problems and Weight Gain
Losing weight with an underactive thyroid
An underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, has a direct effect on the metabolism. When your thyroid is not working well, the metabolism does not work properly, and despite your best efforts, you start gaining weight.1
Losing weight is tough at the best of times, but when you have hypothyroidism, it is an uphill struggle to lose weight and keep it off. An underactive thyroid is a frustrating condition, of which unexpected weight gain is just one of the symptoms.
If your weight is inflating, and you are also unusually tired, sensitive to cold, depressed, have muscle aches and weakness, it would be a good idea to get your thyroid tested at your doctor. A blood test should pinpoint the problem.
How does hypothyroidism influence weight gain?
The thyroid gland regulates several body processes, including the metabolism, which has a major connection to diet and weight. When the thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone to allow the body to function properly. The function of the metabolism is also affected, and it does not operate efficiently.
This means that fat and calories are not effectively burned, and not converted into energy, leaving you feeling tired all the time. Almost everything goes to your fat cells, and you gain weight, which just keeps adding up.
Hypothyroidism slows down the working of your metabolism, making it very difficult to lose weight. However, research has shown that it is still possible to lose weight even with an underactive thyroid.2
How you can manage your weight if you have hypothyroidism
The first thing that comes to mind is to embark on a healthy eating plan concentrating on foods which are good for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
This is all good, but the BEST way to manage your weight is to first deal with the condition which is cause of the unusual weight gain.
If you have been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, your priority is to make certain that you are getting the correct medication. Liaise with your doctor to find out what type of thyroid medication you are taking, and what the dosage is.3
Only when your thyroid hormones are correct, will you be able to successfully lose weight.
What kind of treatment protocol is available for an under active thyroid?
There are natural ways to help stimulate your metabolism which include:
- A healthy diet, high in B vitamins, and zinc – which is an essential mineral needed to regulate TSH, the thyroid stimulating hormone.
- Exercise daily, or at 4 or 5 times per week.
- If you suffer from unrelenting stress, learn techniques and ways to reduce this major culprit of thyroid dysfunction.
- Spend some time in the sun to maintain vitamin D levels. If sunlight is scarce in your location during winter months, a vitamin D supplement will do the trick to help support healthy immune and thyroid function.
A healthy diet and good lifestyle habits will also help to restore your feeling of general well-being, especially when unwanted weight begins to disappear.4
Hormonal treatment for hypothyroidism
Studies have shown that Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement, is taken by 22 million Americans, each month. It is the 4th most prescribed medication in the US. It is purported to be the same as thyroxine (T4) but research has shown that it is different to the natural hormone thyroxine.
Synthetic Synthroid may also have some common side effects such as fever, sensitivity to heat, headaches, irritability, anxiety and nausea.5
The question has been posed in some studies as to whether synthetic thyroid drugs could make your condition worse. There is no consensus on the answer to this question, except that studies have shown that there may potentially be unpleasant side effects, from synthetic hormones.6
More and more people are opting to use natural hormone replacement therapy, known as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy – or BHRT.
Why are bio-identical hormones so effective?
Health experts agree that bio-identical hormones are effective because they are the same chemical and molecular structure of the hormones produced in the body. They are manufactured from plant chemical extracts like yam and soy, and are less likely to have any side effects. In fact, if the bio-identical hormones are administered in the correct dosage, side effects should be minimal.
Many doctors are now using BHRT to help their patients, not only for thyroid conditions, but for other hormonal imbalances as well.
Research has indicated that a deficiency of the female hormone progesterone, may contribute to thyroid dysfunction.7 This is quite common in women who suffer from hypothyroidism, and often manifests itself in symptoms such as tiredness, and unexplained weight gain.
There is a definite connection between progesterone and thyroid health.
How BHRT can benefit you
- Synthetic progesterone may cause some unpleasant side effects such as stomach upsets, appetite issues, fluid retention, fatigue, acne, possible depression, and breast discomfort. It also bears no resemblance to the hormones produced by the body.
- BHRT hormones are completely natural and are the exact same molecular structure as hormones in the body.
- BHRT is customized hormone treatment made from natural plant compounds, and are unlikely to cause side effects which may be associated with synthetically produced progesterone, and synthetic synthroid.
Research has indeed shown that BHRT is therefore an effective, natural way to restore hormone deficiencies.
What to do next
Renew delivers the correct dosage of bio-identical hormones in the recommended pellet form. BHRT pellet hormones are placed just under the skin, allowing the body to gradually absorb the needed doses of hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Visit us at www.renewmetoday.com to find out more about BHRT, and take the Hormone Health Test. You will also be able to find out the location of your nearest Renew office.
References.
- http://www.nihadc.com/health-programs/metabolic-therapy-thyroid-adrenal-hormone-correction.html
- http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-and-weight/
- http://www.webmd.com/women/features/hypothyroidism-and-weight#1
- http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/for-borderline-underactive-thyroid-drug-therapy-isnt-always-necessary-201310096740
- http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/hypothyroidism/medications.html
- http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone-treatment/
- http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/transcripts/1443_thyroid-problems
