Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism

You can Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism

People who have problems with hypothyroidism often have almost uncontrolled weight gain. Even after they have been diagnosed and are now on treatment for the disease, they continue to put on the pounds. They may wonder whether the diagnosis and subsequent therapy should have helped, when they realize that they are still having trouble losing weight with hypothyroidism.

Many have changed their diet to a low calorie one, plus made a rigorous exercise regime part of their daily routine, in an attempt to lose weight with thyroid problems. Follow up tests may show that that their TSH levels are normal, but despite these measures, the weight gain continues. Then their doctor says that the losing battle with weight is not linked to the thyroid in any case.

The truth about losing weight with thyroid problems

Thyroid sufferers need to understand that there are three possibilities that hampers people from successful weight loss – a changed metabolic set point, brain chemistry change and insulin resistance.

In his book Weigh Less Live Longer, Dr. Lou Aronne posits that when calorie intake increases, so does weight gain to a small degree. In response, “metabolic resistance” takes place: your metabolic rate increases to maintain your set point weight, you lose appetite and then you experience some weight loss.

Dr. Aronne compares your body temperature “set point’ with his “weight set point”: the body tries to keep a set temperature just as it tries to keep weight in equilibrium.He hypothesizes that in persons who suffer from weight issues, the body only resists moderately to weight increase. As you burn less than your calorie intake, your metabolism is not longer as potent, and a new set point is established.

In fact, this could be a reasonable explanation for the phenomenon that skinny people eat so much, but still manage to stay skinny, but obese persons who try to eat less continue to be on the heavy side of the scale! Dr. Aronne says that notwithstanding diet, losing weight with thyroid is heavily dependent on the right amount of exercise as well to keep the metabolism rate up.

Fluctuations in brain chemistry are linked to hunger and nutrition. When you lack energy, the brain tells the body that you need carbs. When you are satiated, the brain also sends the signal to stop eating.

There are situations when this complex system does not function as it should:

1. your metabolic rate is not fast enough to match the appetite set by the brain. Your metabolism can slow down if you have thyroid disease. If your food intake is more than your metabolic levels, you will gain weight.
2. your stress levels obscure the neurotransmitter functions, and slows down the secretion of serotonin.

Natural remedies for thyroid problems

Besides drugs to deal with chemical imbalance of serotonin resulting in depression, many sear by natural remedies like regular aerobic exercise, herbal treatments and relaxation techniques.



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external links
Thyroid.org: Lose weight with hypothyroidism