Is your thyroid causing weight gain?

There is a complex relationship between thyroid disease, body weight, and metabolism. The thyroid hormone regulates metabolism. Metabolism is the measure of the amount of oxygen used by the body over a specific amount of time. If the measurement is made at rest, it is known as the basal metabolic rate (BMR). Indeed, measurement of the BMR was one of the earliest tests used to assess a patient’s thyroid status. 

Most of the extra weight gained in hypothyroid individuals is due to excess accumulation of salt and water. Massive weight gain is rarely associated with hypothyroidism. In general, 2-5 kgs of body weight may be attributable to the thyroid, depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism.

• If weight gain is the only symptom of hypothyroidism that is present, it is less likely that the weight gain is solely due to the thyroid. 

• The first and most important step is to treat hypothyroidism, which means taking a thyroid replacement medication. 
• Treating your low thyroid will help you stop gaining weight, but it may not help you lose the weight you’ve already gained. 
• What you eat and your lifestyle factors can definitely help. 

• Eliminate sugars and refined carbohydrates - Examples of low glycemic foods include non-starchy vegetables, beans, whole grains, berries, fish, and meat. 

 It’s also a good idea to avoid processed food as much as possible. 

• Focus on nutrient-dense whole foods - Some studies have shown that zinc and selenium can help improve hypothyroidism. And improving thyroid function may help restore your metabolism and ideal weight.

• Check your fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels -  In some people, hypothyroidism has been associated with metabolic syndrome, which can increase your fasting glucose. This could mean an increased risk of getting diabetes and a harder time trying to lose weight.

• Get plenty of sleep - Not getting enough sleep has been associated with weight gain and can keep you from losing weight

• Limit alcohol - Alcohol can add a lot of calories to your diet, and for some people drinking too much is associated with weight gain

• Get enough exercise - Exercise is important for mental and physical health, and not getting enough could keep you from losing the extra weight.

For such guidance and recommendations concerning health issues and blood and urine reports, it’s time to upgrade to Neodocs Smart Reports. Get a better understanding of any blood reports and dietary and other lifestyle recommendations to aid you in monitoring health from just a Whatsapp number on your smartphone. Simply Whatsapp any blood report to +917400281971 and do away with googling your health concerns! It will be a digital report and will be available to you within minutes. Once you have the reports, you can consult your doctors about the treatment plan. Also, explore our NEODOCS website or download our NEODOCS app. We will ensure you get a comfortable and high-quality health check-up from the comfort of your home.

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/can-hypothyroidism-cause-weight-gain
2. https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-and-weight/
3. Sanyal D, Raychaudhuri M. Hypothyroidism and obesity: An intriguing link. Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism. 2016 Jul;20(4):554.