Scientists Examine Obesity and Thyroid Disorders

For many obese people, achieving an optimal weight, and then maintaining it can be a lifelong challenge. Even those that diet and exercise regularly can have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.

And because living with excess weight can often lead to other medical ailments, the cycle is difficult to break, which may lead to frustration and a feeling of defeat. The aging process can promote weight gain and lead to difficulties losing weight, but often the culprit may be something that is so subtle that even medical professionals do not pinpoint it upon first examination.

In many cases, an underlying thyroid disorder can be affecting metabolism so much that even the most stringent diet and exercise programs meet with little results. By treating the cause and not the symptom, many obese people are able to achieve the results for which they have worked so hard.

The slowing of the thyroid

The slowing of the thyroid gland, a condition called hypothyroidism, can develop gradually over a period many years. In many cases, the person does not even realize that they are suffering from hypothyroidism, until the day that they understand that their weight is completely out of control. Although many health care professionals state that the link between thyroid disorders and obesity is a myth, because of many differing opinions on this issue, the debate still continues today. It can be confirmed, however, that hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain due to water retention and once the hypothyroidism is treated, the extra pounds go away. But there is still debate among researchers as to the exact percentage of weight gain that can be attributed to hypothyroidism. So it is clear that by eliminating the unknown factor by achieving a hormone balance that is normal, the question as to whether hypothyroidism is affecting one's weight can be answered.

Hypothyroidism is defined as a thyroid disorder of which the body lacks enough thyroid hormone. And because the main job of thyroid hormone is to manage the body's metabolism, any change in the level of this hormone can have dramatic results.

What causes hypothyroidism?

There are several causes of hypothyroidism. The most common is a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells resulting in antibodies being produced and misdirected against the gland. The result is a lower function of the thyroid gland called hypothyroidism. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is more prevalent in women than it is in men and often occurs in women over the age of forty. But this condition can also afflict men. The symptoms include a slowed heartbeat, fatigue, anxiety, memory loss, dry skin, and inability to endure cold temperatures.

Treatment goals of hypothyroidism

The treatment goals of hypothyroidism is to keep the TSH levels under the mid to normal area. Some physicians will be satisfied by getting the patient's TSH levels in the normal range of 1.0, but researchers note that many endocrinologists and thyroid specialists will target a TSH range in a hypothyroid patient that is lower than normal with TSH from 0.3 to 0.5 to see if the patient has a better conclusion of symptoms.

What is TSH?

TSH is an abbreviation for the medical term thyroid stimulating hormone. It is responsible for producing Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) which are needed for normal maturity of the brain. T3 and T4 control the metabolism. Testing for normal TSH levels include a simple blood test and results can be received within a number of days.

What can be done?

If you or a loved one suspects weight gain, or obesity due to a thyroid disorder, it is recommended that you contact an endocrinologist or thyroid specialist right away. If you are not familiar with an endocrinologist or thyroid surgeon in the area, you can search on the Internet or consult your family physician to ask for a referral. Be sure to check with your health insurance carrier to be sure that your policy covers visits to a specialist. You may need to read your policy in detail or call the carrier directly to get confirmation. And as always, if you are able to get permission from your insurance carrier to see a specialist, it is recommended that you get this in writing prior to the physicians visit.

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Weight Loss for Hypothyroid Patients

Maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge for any adult, as the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States and around the world clearly confirms. The hectic modern lifestyle leaves most people little time to exercise regularly and prepare wholesome foods. Over time, drive-thru fare and takeout dinners can turn into extra pounds.

Even those who make a practice of eating right and exercising can experience difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. The aging process and related health problems often tend to promote weight gain, and over the course of a few years, these gradual increases can ultimately result in obesity. Since carrying excess weight often worsens a person’s existing health issues, the outcome can be a vicious cycle of illness and obesity from which it is very difficult to break free.

If maintaining a healthy weight can pose a formidable challenge even for healthy adults who are conscientious about sticking to a healthy diet and fitness regimen, it can feel like a frustrating debacle for those who suffer from thyroid problems. Hypothyroidism and other conditions that slow down metabolic function often cause weight gain and make weight loss difficult. But over the last several years, research has revealed new methods that may lend hope to hypothyroid patients who are hoping to lose weight.

Metabolism Woes: The Root of Hypothyroid-Related Weight Gain

The thyroid gland -- and the hormones it produces and distributes throughout the adrenal system -- help keep the body up to speed. These hormones regulate the metabolism, which is the system of processes by which energy is processed, stored, and used for fuel.

Very generally speaking, people with slow metabolisms gain weight easily and have difficulty shedding excess pounds, while those with faster metabolisms usually have little trouble staying trim, even with occasional overindulgences. Either way, your metabolic rate strongly influences the way that the body handles calories and regulates weight.

In hypothyroidism, the thyroid functions at a much slower rate than it should. This, in turn, slows down the entire metabolism, thus prompting weight gain. Indeed, one of the most widely recognized symptoms of hypothyroidism is an unusual weight gain that can’t otherwise be explained.

 Not only does hypothyroidism make it all too easy to gain excess weight, but it also renders the process of shedding those extra pounds very difficult. A metabolism that has been slowed by hypothyroidism can often be very resistant to even the most concerted weight loss efforts.

The experience of following a diet and exercise plan to the letter and still making no discernible progress has discouraged many hypothyroid patients who are trying to make a healthy lifestyle change.  After weeks or even months of little or no tangible results, many lose confidence in their ability to lose weight normally and give up altogether.

A Custom Weight-Loss Plan for Those with Hypothyroidism

While the prospect of weight loss can pose a serious challenge for hypothyroid patients, it’s not impossible. In fact, it’s mostly just a matter of convincing your metabolism to join in on the effort. Using a variety of methods, hypothyroid patients can get their metabolism up to speed and shed excess pounds, although it may take more time and effort than it does for people with normal thyroid function.

What’s the secret to weight loss success for hypothyroid patients? You don’t necessarily have to work harder, just smarter. Combining multiple tactics at the same time, you can increase the rate of your metabolism and likely begin to see results within several weeks of starting the program.

Strategies for Jump-Starting a Sluggish Metabolism and Weight Loss

The hypothyroid patient’s ideal action plan for weight loss has to be specially targeted to increase metabolic functioning. By combining several strategies to bump up the metabolism all at once, it’s more likely that your weight loss efforts will begin to be rewarded with visible results.

• Ensure that you are being treated with the proper dose of a suitable hypothyroid medication.

•  Include regular exercise in your plan to help combat metabolic resistance and increase your basal metabolic rate.

• Avoid simple carbohydrates and emphasize protein and whole grains to help overcome insulin resistance.

• Drink 64-100+ ounces of calorie-free liquids each day to help eliminate the retention bloat that can add as many five to ten pounds to your physique.

• Seek out support from fellow hypothyroid patients during your weight loss journey. Sometimes, only those who have faced the same kind of challenges can offer the comfort you’ll need to work through the inevitable difficulties of the process.

 For Further Reading

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

• http://www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/18912/2313/2

• http://thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Thyroid_and_Weight.pdf