When your thyroid hormone levels go down, the number on your scale sometimes goes up. But there are a lot of ways you can take control of your weight.
Thyroid and Your Weight
Thyroid and Your Weight
A slowed metabolism makes for slowed body functions. You might feel cold, tired, or sluggish. Your body may also hang on to salt and water, causing bloating.
Holding on to salt and water can make you put on some pounds, but it might not be as much as you think. Only 10% or less of your total weight gain is likely due to the water and salt that your body keeps because of hypothyroidism.
"Thyroid hormone does regulate weight, but it has a minimal effect in people that are hypothyroid," says Kenneth D. Burman, MD. He's a professor of medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
"There are really very few, if any, scientific studies to support the suggestion that hypothyroidism is a key factor in weight gain," Burman says. "Weight gain is actually thought to be only a minor effect of the disease."
If extra weight is the only symptom left standing after thyroid medication brings your hormone levels back to normal, hypothyroidism probably isn't directly to blame for it.
"People with hypothyroidism often have gained quite a bit of weight before their diagnosis," says nutrition coach Cheryl Harris, MPH, RD. "They may experience fatigue, and that makes it harder to have the energy to eat well and exercise regularly."
Weight Management Tips
If thyroid medication is helpful with weight loss in the beginning, you may still find a challenge ahead. Even after your thyroid levels go back to the normal range, Harris says, many people still find it hard to stay at a healthy weight.
The best plan for reaching your weight goal is to focus on the things you can control:
Exercise regularly. "Exercise is a great way to boost metabolism, strengthen bones, build muscle, manage stress, and improve [heart] health," Harris says. see more video
No comments:
Post a Comment