A lot of people fail to see that there is a relationship between an underactive thyroid and weight loss. An underactive thyroid and weight loss cause a significant effect on one another. This is because having an underactive thyroid contributes to weight gain and loss of energy.
What's hypothyroidism?
To understand how a hypothyroidism can affect you and your weight loss goals, you need to know what it is and how it can contribute to weight gain. It is a condition that happens when your thyroid gland fails to generate enough quantities of thyroid hormones that are essential for regulating the metabolism of your body.
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Thyroid hormones and metabolism
In the subject of an underactive thyroid and weight loss, remember that lacking enough thyroid hormones can decrease your metabolism. This can result to weight gain, depression, poor concentration skills, constipation, dry skin, and tiredness.
Your condition
In understanding how an underactive thyroid and weight loss can affect you, you need to know that you gain a lot of weight prior to diagnosis or when your condition is poorly managed. Medication is usually prescribed in the form of Thyroxine.
Thyroxine
Thyroxine is prescribed for those with an underactive thyroid, and weight loss is usually one of its end results. However, you need to ensure that you are exercising regularly and eating healthy balanced meals so you can effectively lose those unwanted pounds.
Improve your condition
However, when you have problems with an underactive thyroid and weight loss, remember that treatment with Thyroxine does not promise immediate results and recovery from your condition. It may take around nine months or more for your symptoms to improve or go away, depending on the severity of the case.
Counting calories
Make sure you keep your daily caloric intake in check if you are having problems with your underactive thyroid and weight loss. Cutting down on your calorie intake can help in weight loss. However, if weight loss is not achieved after several months, check if you are underestimating the amount of calories you are taking in everyday, or your hypothyroidism is not being controlled effectively by treatment and medication.
Check with the doctor
Check with your doctor if you are having problems with an underactive thyroid and weight loss. Your doctor can guide you on how you can safely lose weight while making sure that your hypothyroidism is being treated carefully.
Understanding hypothyroidism
The more severe your hypothyroidism is, the more you are at risk for gaining more weight. When your metabolism decreases because of the condition, remember that the reason behind gaining weight is not entirely related to the accumulation of excess fat in your body. In fact, the extra weight may come from excessive water and salt accumulation.
How much weight you can lose
Once your hypothyroidism is treated, you can expect to lose around 10% of your body weight. That is a small yet significant decrease in your body weight. Over time, your body weight should return to normal with the practice of a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen. However, since the condition develops over a long span of time, it is normal to expect that there won't be any obvious weight loss even after the treatment for hypothyroidism is successful.
Mind the symptoms
Remember that if all the symptoms are treated but you are not able to lose weight, it is possible that your weight gain is not completely the fault of your thyroid. When hypothyroidism is already treated and your hormone levels are on the normal range again, your ability to lose or gain weight should return to normal, too.
Maintenance and treatment
Never self-diagnose. Remember that only your doctor can correctly diagnose and prescribe the right medication to treat your underactive thyroid. Furthermore, take into consideration the following measures to keep yourself healthy throughout your treatment:
o Reduce your caffeine intake
o Reduce your alcohol intake
o Stop smoking
o Avoid iodine-rich foods since high levels can contribute to an underactive thyroid.
o Eat foods that are high in selenium like broccoli, tomatoes, whole wheat bread, and tuna.
o Exercise regularly at least 30 minutes a day.
Remember that determining the right treatment and weight loss goals can help in restoring your weight back to normal in a healthy manner while avoiding other health complications.
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