My Doctor Said My Thyroid Is Causing Weight Problems

1. small gland big problems the
It can be hard to lose weight with hypothyroidism but it is possible.
Could you dtect a difference if your thyroid gland slowed down ints production of thyroid
hormone?
When thyroid hormone synthesis decreases it's not always easy to tell by symptoms alone. Above
the approximate 10 million Americans diagnosed with thyroid disease, many more are not
diagnosed, mis-diagnosed, and under-treated. Thyroid disease, "the great mimicker" often gets
mistaken for other illnesses or aging, because it's symptoms include weight gain, persistent
constipation, weakness, fatigue, and thinning hair.
Playing a key role in the endocrine system, (the system responsible for creating, distributing, and
regulating hormones in the body) is the thyroid gland, shaped like a butterfly and sitting at the
base front of your neck. The thyroid gland produces the hormones T3 and T4 which provide the
cells with energy needed to function and thereby regulate the body's metabolism.
When your thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones, the balance of chemical
reactions in your body can be upset and many times results in a slowed metabolism. THe clinical
symptoms directly related to this metabolic upset can be frustrating, the most common being
weight gain.
If levels of thyroid hormones are low, you burn fewer calories per day. An underactive thyroid
makes every calorie count more, sometimes double. It causes the process of losing weight to be
slow and difficult.
Here are seven things to consider if attempting a weight management program when you have an
underactive thyroid:
1. See your physician
It is essential to get proper treatment from a health care professional if you are experiencing
symptoms of hypothyroidism. Blood test will determine if thyroid hormones need to be prescribed.
Just know that taking thyroid hormone can normalize your blood levels but won't necessarily
cause you to release weight. Diet and lifestyle changes must still be followed to help shed the
pounds (more about this below).
2. Stay away from thyroid absorption hindering foods
Foods that hinder thyroid hormone absorption should be avoided when taking thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone absorption can be inhibited for example by dietary calcium or iron. For this

2. reason, many doctors recommend taking thyroid medication immediately upon rising and two to
three hours apart from consuming calcium- or iron-containing foods. Antacids, calcium-fortified
orange juice, and multivitamins are some supplements that you may not consider as containing
calcium and iron but they may so do your research.
There are foods that disrupt thyroid function as well (goitrogenic foods) which should be avoided
also. Some regularly eaten foods that are goitrogenic are non-fermented soy foods, legumes such
as lima beans,and raw cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
Cook or ferment these foods to reduce the amount of goitrogens in them.
3. Include quality protein in every meal
The greatest contributor to basal metabolic rate (BMR)-the rate that your body burns calories-is
muscle tissue. Even when you are at rest (such as sleeping), muscle requires energy to rebuild
and restore. Therefore it is key to preserve muscle when on a weight lose journey. Meals higher
in protein compared to other macronutrients (carbohydrates and fats) have shown to help
maintain muscle mass resulting in a higher BMR, faster metabolism, and greater energy
expenditure. It requires twice as many calories to digest and absorp protein than both fat and
carbohydrates combined.
4. Be wise when deciding on calories
When trying to lose weight, every calorie counts. Every calorie counts when trying to lose weight.
A sluggish metabolsim emphasizes this even more. It's important to limit "empty" calories such as
sugary drinks, white-flour pastas and breads, and other sources of refined carbohydrates that can
quickly spike blood sugar and leave you feeling hungry and fatigued. Consuming meals loaded
with deitary fiber rather than refined carbohydrates will satisfy your appetite and keep you feeling
fuller, longer. A high fiber diet not only curbs appetites, but is an important bulking agent for
solidifying and softening stools thus helping to avoid hypothyroidism-induced constipation.
5. Move your body, even if it is only for a short time
Resistance training and other physical activity contributes to metobloic stimulation and muscle
growth, which helps fuel weight loss. High-intensity interval training (HIT) is a great choice if time
and desire are issues. HIT involves alternating intense bouts of exercise ranging from 30 seconds
to several minutes with recovery periods spanning one to five minutes. Longer, continuous
exercise is no match to HIT when it comes to the benefits of improving body composition and
metabolic health.
6. Sufficient vitamins and minerals daily is a must
A diet supplying sufficient amounts of minerals such as iodine and selenium is important for
thyroid health. Iodine can be found in sea vegtables and iodized salt. Brazil nuts, animal products,
seafood, and dairy contain selenium. YOu can also assure you are getting enough by taking

3. supplements.
Vitamin D is also key for those with thyroid disorders and other auotimmune disorders. Vitamin D
can be obtained through what you eat, supplementation, or sitting in the sun, however you get it
get enough, it is so important to bone and brain health.
7. Quality sleep and plenty of it
Hypothyroidism makes it even more important to get enough shut eye when trying to lose weight.
In an effort to increase alertness, sleep deprived people will often eat high-calorie foods. Self-
medicating with unhealthy foods to fight fatigue is bad not only for your slim figure but your health.
Not enough sleep can lower insulin sensitivity and basically cause a metabolic meltdown. On
average, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
It is possible to reach your weight-loss goals even if you have hypothyroidism. Keep taking steps
each day towards your healthy body, stay consistent, and keep smiling- you got this.
Bonuses