Thyroid and Weight Gain

What is the role of Thyroid in controlling the weight? Is the reduced thyroid function making you fat?

Optimizing your thyroid can help control weight! Women in perimenopause and menopause (ages 35 to 55) are hit harder than anybody else. The symptoms of weight gain, along with fatigue, hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, palpitations, and “fuzzy” thinking have been shown to be thyroid-related in may instances. Many common weight related problems are aslo Symptoms of Low Thyroid.

As main regulators of the body’s rate of metabolism, thyroid hormones have profound impact on weight and controls how the body burns carbohydrates and fats. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of these “energy-generating” thyroid hormones causing a low resting metabolic rate which can cause weight gain and obesity.

In addition to disrupting metabolism, thyroid imbalances also affect appetite control. Studies suggest that thyroid hormones may modulate levels of leptin, a hormone produced from fat cells that is believed to control hunger and stabilize energy levels.

Weight control, how much energy people have, how well they get up in the morning, how well they sleep, and how much stamina they have for the day is directly related to their levels of thyroid hormone. When your thyroid level is too low, you don’t have the energy to cope adequately with anything, much less the additional stress and emotional liability associated with the menopausal years.

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. There are several types of thyroiditis. Most result in three phases: overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), and return to normal. When the thyroid is inflamed, it often releases an excess of thyroid hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism. As the supply of thyroid hormone is depleted, the body has too little, and hypothyroidism the results. Young to middle-aged women seem most at risk, although some forms of thyroiditis occur in both men and women of all ages. With some forms, hypothyroidism may develop years later even if the thyroiditis has resolved.

Symptoms of Low Thyroid are often subtle and often goes undiagnosed. Hypothyroidism symptoms are often attributed to other conditions and needs to be tested by an experienced healthcare provider. Waight gain and difficulty in loosing weight can be Symptoms of Low Thyroid at times.

In case of Hypothyroidism specific nutritional supplements may be used to Naturally Stimulate Thyroid. Coleus forskohlii and Herbs such as guggul are used for this purpose. Unless all symptoms are discussed your doctor may not know to test for Hypothyroidism or low thyroid function.