Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Weight gain is common with hypothyroidism low thyroid function.
Even with the best weight loss efforts, people often find they'll shed a few pounds, but suddenly hit a plateau where exercise and diet no longer seem to have any effect.
While this is common with anyone trying to lose weight, it can be complicated by hypothyroidism, a condition that inherently interferes with metabolism the body's ability to convert calories and oxygen into energy. Fortunately, by better understanding how hypothyroidism affects metabolism and weight, you can take steps to overcome plateaus and stay on track to achieve your weight loss goals.
As with any weight loss plan, the simple aim is to burn more calories than you consume. This is known as creating a calorie deficit. If one pound of fat contains roughly 3, calories, you would need a deficit of calories per day to lose one pound per week. That sounds simple enough. Unfortunately, with hypothyroidism, your body is less able to metabolize calories.
So even if you cut back the calories, you may not be able to burn them as effectively as someone without a thyroid condition. The cause of this is complex, but it is ultimately associated with a diminished supply of thyroid hormones. The lack may be the result of an impairment of the thyroid gland itself a condition referred to as primary hypothyroidism or the impairment of the organs that regulate when and how much thyroid hormones are produced known as secondary hypothyroidism.
All of these can, directly and indirectly, influence weight gain and loss. The main cause of primary hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto's disease , an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Irrespective of the cause, lower thyroid hormone levels almost invariably result in greater weight gains. With this in mind, weight loss in people with hypothyroidism will involve both a traditional approach to exercise and diet as well as a strategy to correct the hormonal deficits standing in the way of weight loss goals.
The first step to overcoming a weight loss plateau is to access the state of your thyroid function. Healthcare providers do this by measuring a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone TSH. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and its function is to tell the thyroid gland when to produce thyroid hormones. When thyroid hormones are high, the pituitary gland can sense this and turn down the TSH production. Learn about the different types.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Managing Your Weight with Hypothyroidism. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Share on Pinterest. Stop weight gain. Adopt a new diet. Get moving.
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Recognizing the Symptoms of Myxedema. Medically reviewed by Marina Basina, M. Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD. Research shows that moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise may help boost your thyroid hormone levels. In turn, this may help speed up your metabolism 8 , 9.
People with hypothyroidism might also benefit from increasing protein intake. Research shows that higher protein diets help increase the rate of your metabolism People with hypothyroidism usually have a slower metabolism.
Research shows that aerobic exercise can help boost your thyroid hormone levels. Additionally, eating more protein may help boost your metabolism. Iodine is an essential mineral that is needed to make thyroid hormones. Thus, people with iodine deficiency might be at risk of hypothyroidism If you have an iodine deficiency, consider adding iodized table salt to your meals or eating more iodine-rich foods like seaweed, fish, dairy, and eggs.
Iodine supplements are unnecessary, as you can get plenty of iodine from your diet. Some studies have also shown that getting too much of this mineral may damage the thyroid gland This essential mineral also has antioxidant benefits, which means it may protect the thyroid gland from damage by molecules called free radicals Adding selenium-rich foods to your diet is a great way to boost your selenium levels.
This includes Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, eggs, and legumes. However, avoid taking a selenium supplement unless advised by a healthcare professional. Supplements provide large doses, and selenium may be toxic in large amounts 16 , Studies also show that zinc may help the body regulate TSH, the hormone that tells the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones Zinc deficiencies are rare in developed countries, as zinc is abundant in the food supply.
Nonetheless, if you have hypothyroidism, aim to eat more zinc-rich foods like oysters and other shellfish, beef, and chicken. Research shows that iodine, selenium, and zinc are especially beneficial for those with hypothyroidism. Goitrogens are compounds that may interfere with the normal function of the thyroid gland. They get their name from the term goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland that may occur with hypothyroidism Surprisingly, many common foods contain goitrogens, including 21 :.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: February 22, Medically Reviewed. Use these six strategies to jump-start weight loss with hypothyroidism. Cut Out Simple Carbs and Sugars Kelly Austin, ND, a naturopathic doctor specializing in hormone disorders and the director of the Prime Wellness Clinic in San Diego, recommends a moderate- to low-carbohydrate diet that focuses on complex carbohydrates think starchy vegetables and legumes and avoids simple sugars pass on the candy and soda.
Eat More Anti-Inflammatory Foods Anti- inflammatory foods can help ease joint aches and pains as well as depression, all of which can result from hypothyroidism, Austin says.
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