The thyroid is a very important gland in the body because it is responsible for the production of two hormones, called T3 and T4, which regulate the functioning of various mechanisms of the human body, heart rate, bowel movements and even body temperature and menstrual cycle. women.
Thus, any modification of the thyroid can easily affect the functioning of the whole body, causing various unpleasant symptoms such as constipation, hair loss, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, for example.
- Easy weight changes.
- Which don’t seem to be related to other factors.
- Such as diet or level of physical activity.
- Are another very common sign of thyroid problems.
- Discover 7 common signs and symptoms of thyroid problems.
Since the thyroid has the function of regulating the functioning of various organs of the body and even influencing body temperature, this gland can affect metabolism, which is the amount of energy the body expends during the day to maintain itself. Work. The rate of metabolism varies depending on the evolution of the thyroid:
People with accelerated metabolism tend to lose weight because they spend more energy and calories during the day, while people with decreased metabolism tend to gain weight more easily.
Therefore, not all thyroid problems gain weight, and this is most common when the person has a disease that causes hypothyroidism. However, people who are being treated for hyperthyroidism may also experience weight gain, as their metabolism will be reduced with treatment.
In addition to causing weight gain, hypothyroidism also causes other symptoms that can lead the person to suspect this thyroid change, such as frequent headaches, easy fatigue, difficulty concentrating, hair loss, and brittle nails. Learn more about hypothyroidism, your symptoms, and your diagnosis.
However, the diagnosis of hypothyroidism can only be made by blood tests that measure levels of hormones produced by the thyroid, T3 and T4, as well as the hormone TSH, which is produced in the brain and is responsible for stimulating thyroid function. People with hypothyroidism generally have lower-than-normal T3 and T4 values, while TSH increases.
The best way to combat weight gain due to changes in the thyroid is to identify the problem and initiate proper treatment, as this will balance thyroid function and metabolism throughout the body.
However, reducing the amount of calories consumed in the diet, as well as increasing energy expenditure through daily exercise, are also critical to helping maintain body weight. In all cases, these recommendations should always be given by the doctor who treats the thyroid problem.
Check out some tips from our nutritionist on how to eat for thyroid problems: