Excess weight and hypothyroidism in women. How to restore thyroid health and lose weight? Thyroid gland affects excess weight - doctors

Diseases of the thyroid gland are numerous, and each of them has its own clinical picture and symptoms. Moreover, the same symptom can manifest itself in radically opposite ways. We are talking about fluctuations in body weight due to diseases of the thyroid gland.

The hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland can change the metabolic rate in the body, and, accordingly, affect body weight. These hormones are carried through the bloodstream through the arteries, actively affecting energy, oxygen consumption, heat production and all body systems in general. In this case, an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones leads to an increase in a person’s weight, and an excess amount leads to a decrease. This is due to the fact that with hypothyroidism the metabolic rate decreases, and with thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism) it increases. Thus, weight loss due to thyroid disease becomes a problem both for patients with hypothyroidism who want to lose weight, and for patients with hyperthyroidism who want to gain weight.

If you notice that you have begun to rapidly lose weight or gain weight just as quickly, you should not make hasty conclusions. With diseases of the thyroid gland, there are usually other signs in addition to fluctuations in body weight.

• With thyrotokinosis (hyperthyroidism), a person develops weakness, a constant feeling of heat, severe hand tremors, sweating, rapid heartbeat (up to 120 beats per minute, and in severe cases higher), severe irritability, nervousness, tearfulness, rapid severe weight loss, sleep disturbance , change of mood. Exaphthalmos (bulging eyes) appears, accompanied by swelling of the eyelids, bags under and above the eyes, and the inability to concentrate on an object. Sometimes the patient has a low-grade fever. In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and in men, there is a decrease in libido.
• With hypothyroidism, the patient experiences the following symptoms: drowsiness, lethargy, pale skin, hair loss, constant feeling of fatigue, lethargy, lack of energy.

In both cases, the lack of treatment entails serious consequences for the person, so treatment of thyroid disease should never be delayed. And during treatment, you need to constantly monitor your weight: if you have hypothyroidism, try not to gain weight, if you have thyrotoxicosis, try not to lose weight. Losing weight in hypothyroidism patients is a difficult task, as they require more effort to lose weight than healthy people. Nevertheless, you can and should lose weight. And the best way for people with hypothyroidism to control their weight is not to progress the disease itself, but also to adhere to a diet and exercise regimen. Patients with thyrotoxicosis, on the contrary, need increased nutrition, rest, and lack of physical activity and stress.

The thyroid gland is an organ of the human endocrine system. Its main function is the production of hormones responsible for the regulation of metabolism: thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine, T 4) and triiodothyronine (T 3).

Often overweight people blame precisely its improper functioning for the fact that their figure leaves much to be desired, and it is useless for them to diet and exercise. In fact, this is only partly true. Indeed, the thyroid gland and excess weight can be interconnected. But, firstly, this is noted only in 25% of cases. Secondly, her diseases are treatable, which means weight loss is possible.

What is the connection between them

Excess weight due to the thyroid gland occurs when it does not produce enough hormones. This may be a consequence of various diseases. Thus, when there is a lack of thyroid in the body, a chain of processes is triggered, leading to the accumulation of fat reserves:

• the heart rhythm goes astray - oxygen starvation of tissues begins;
• motor activity and performance decreases;
• metabolic processes slow down;
• body temperature decreases;
• Digestion worsens, problems with stool begin;
• blood glucose levels decrease;
• Gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis in the liver slow down;
• lipolysis (decomposition of adipocytes) is blocked, the formation of fat increases, which is “stored” mainly in the abdominal cavity;
• Water metabolism is disrupted, severe swelling is observed.

If the thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, somatotropin, which also contributes to excess weight gain, cannot express itself at full strength. And the first sign of this pathology often becomes, which begins to increase at an incredible speed. At the same time, the arms and legs can remain moderately full.

Interesting fact. The thyroid gland is formed already at the 16th week of fetal development. It reaches its largest size during puberty. It begins to decrease only after 50 years.

Diagnostics

To find out whether excess weight is associated with the thyroid gland, you need to make an appointment with an endocrinologist, take tests and undergo the necessary laboratory diagnostics:

• computed tomography of the brain;
• scintigraphy;
• blood test for hormones (they will look specifically at thyroid hormones).

Indicator standards:

• the volume of the thyroid gland in men is no more than 25 cm³, in women - about 18 cm³;
• TSH concentration = 0.4-4 µIU/ml;
• triiodothyronine = 3-8;
• thyroxine = 4-11.

Based on the test results and clinical picture, it will be clear whether excess body weight is due to a lack of thyroid hormones or whether its cause lies in something else. With diseases of the thyroid gland, there is usually either a sharp weight loss, which is called hyperthyroidism, or excess weight gain due to hypothyroidism. This is one of the main symptoms of dysfunction of this organ.

On a note. One of the most important products for normal thyroid function is cranberry, since 100 g of this berry contains 350 mcg of iodine, necessary for the synthesis of hormones.

Diseases

Hypothyroidism

Long-term, persistent deficiency of thyroid hormones. One of the most common causes of excess weight.

Provoking factors:

• various diseases: thyroiditis, thyroid hypoplasia, hypopituitarism, sepsis, pancreatitis;
• congenital pathology;
• poor nutrition (lack of iodine, excess of thiocyanates);
• surgical removal of the thyroid gland;
• radiation therapy;
• long-term use of certain medications;
• low sensitivity of cellular receptors to thyroids;
• deiodination of hormones;
• brain oncology.

Symptoms:

• lethargy, slowness, decreased performance, drowsiness, chronic fatigue syndrome;
• deterioration of memory, concentration;
• dehydration of the skin;
• swelling of the arms, legs, face;
• deepening of the voice;
• peeling nails, hair loss;
• excess weight, ;
• chilliness, low body temperature;
• paresthesia;
• constipation

• iodine compounds: Iodomarin, Iodide, Betadine;
• X-ray therapy;
• synthetic analogs of thyroxine: L-Thyroxin, Euthyrox, Bagothyrox;
• combination medications: Thyreotom, Thyreocomb.

With this diagnosis, tablets may be prescribed for the rest of your life (like insulin for diabetics). The problem is that the body gets used to them, so dosage adjustments will be constantly required.

Myxedema

An advanced form of hypothyroidism, insufficient supply of tissues and organs with thyroid-stimulating hormones. It provokes excess weight gain, as it slows down metabolism by almost 60% and is characterized by stagnation, causing severe swelling.

• foci of inflammation, autoimmune pathologies, thyroid oncology;
• surgical interventions in nearby tissues;
• radiation;
• pathology of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Symptoms:

• lethargy;
• dehydration, pale skin;
• severe, even swelling, swelling of the face, arms and legs;
• thinning, splitting, hair loss;
• hypothermia of the body;
• hypotension, bradycardia;
• high levels of bad cholesterol;
• hypochromia;
• myxedematous face: pale, swollen, swollen, narrowing of the eyes, unclear contours.

• hormonal drugs: L-T4;
• glucocorticoids;
• correction of hemodynamic symptoms.

Without treatment or under the influence of certain factors (due to severe hypothermia, use of antipsychotics or barbiturates), a person may fall into a myxedematous coma. The fatal outcome is more than 80%.

Autoimmune thyroiditis

Another name is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by autoimmune problems. It is always accompanied by a sharp decrease in hormones in the body, which invariably leads to excess weight.

• disturbances in the functioning of the immune system: its antibodies mistakenly perceive the thyroid gland as a foreign organ and attack it, making destructive changes in the thyrocytes;
• heredity;
• autoimmune diseases: myasthenia gravis, infiltrative ophthalmopathy, Sjogren's syndrome, alopecia, vitiligo, collagenosis, lymphoid cell hypophysitis;
• infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• trauma, thyroid surgery;
• iodine deficiency.

Symptoms:

• seals, nodes in the thyroid gland;
• increasing its volume;
• pain syndromes;
• difficulty swallowing;
• labored breathing;
• excess weight.

• synthetic thyroids: thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyroidin;
• glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone);
• surgery;
• selenium supplements.

The prognosis is favorable: recovery occurs in most cases, and with it the weight returns to normal.

Nodular goiter

Another disease, without treating it, you won’t be able to lose weight. They are nodules of various sizes on the thyroid gland, which can be benign or malignant.

• iodine deficiency;
• heredity;
• depression;
• poor environmental conditions, radiation;
• poor circulation in the thyroid follicles;
• hormonal imbalance in the body in women;
• autoimmune diseases;
• foci of inflammation in nearby organs.

Symptoms:

• visual increase in the volume of the thyroid gland;
• upon palpation, nodes are detected (one large or several small ones);
• excess weight.

• L-thyroxine;
• thyreostatic drugs: Espa-CARB, Thiamazole, Propicil;
• iodine preparations.

To combat excess weight due to thyroid disorders, you must first identify these diseases. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you will have to take hormonal pills. Some take separate courses, others are prescribed for life.

Did you know that... Does the thyroid gland look like a butterfly, the right wing of which is slightly larger in size than the left?

Diet

To improve the functioning of the thyroid gland for weight loss, in addition to the treatment prescribed by the endocrinologist, you will need a special diet. There are foods that are beneficial for this organ:

• coffee drinks, homemade juices and fresh juices, lightly brewed black and green tea, still mineral water, infusions of medicinal herbs;
• cereals: barley, millet, buckwheat, oats;
• chicken eggs;
• low-fat milk;
• white, sea fish, seafood;
• red meat, rabbit, chicken, turkey;
• rye, whole grain, bran bread (rarely wheat);
• butter, olive oil;
• fresh fruits, vegetables, berries.

Products harmful to the thyroid gland:

• carbonated, alcoholic, energy drinks, cocoa, coffee, strong tea;
• mushrooms, legumes;
• fatty fish, caviar;
• greens: sorrel, spinach;
• concentrated meat broths;
• smoked and canned products;
• vegetables: radish, radish;
• pork, lamb, duck, goose, meat by-products, sausages;
• sweets;
• cream, sour cream, fermented baked milk;
• sauces, spices;
• dried fruits;
• bakery and confectionery products with cream;
• persimmons, grapes, bananas.

Sample menu

If you are sure that excess weight is dictated by thyroid diseases, it is imperative to undergo an examination and begin a course of treatment while simultaneously changing your diet. This is a rather serious problem, since hormone replacement therapy in such cases is often prescribed for life. Dietary restrictions will also have to be adhered to constantly.

The content of the article:

It should be said right away that the functioning of the thyroid gland in men and women is significantly different. According to statistics, representatives of the fair half of humanity have problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland ten or more times more often than men. The most common gland disease is considered to be thyroiditis, which occurs approximately 25 times more often in women.

Today we will talk about how the thyroid gland and excess weight are interconnected. However, first we note that there are two critical periods when the risks of organ dysfunction increase - after 40 and 65 years. Thyroiditis can be of several types, but in any form, the body produces antibodies that can destroy the cellular structures of the thyroid gland. It is quite obvious that in such a situation there is no need to talk about normal production of hormones by the gland.

Why is the thyroid gland destroyed?

As we have already said, with the development of thyroiditis, antibodies appear in the body that suppress the activity of hormones. As a result, the thyroid gland is not able to normally perform its functions. The main problem lies in the fact that antibodies begin to work before the thyroid gland produces killer hormones.

According to research results, women who have problems with excess weight are at particular risk. It is in their body that antibodies are produced at an increased rate. As a result, the rate of metabolic processes decreases, muscle tissue is destroyed, and the amount of adipose tissue increases sharply. Here is the first relationship between the thyroid gland and excess weight.

Moreover, the troubles do not end there and, quite possibly, the appearance of pain in the muscle tissues, which can be very strong. Scientists called this phenomenon myalgia. This symptom eloquently indicates that the body has serious problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland. Note that myalgia is not observed in men.

Thus, during the development of the disease, special attention must be paid to antibodies. A few years ago, Norwegian scientists conducted a study that confirmed these assumptions. If you experience muscle pain, the first thing you should do is check the amount of antibodies and determine the concentration of thyroid hormones.

However, diagnosis can also confuse a woman. This is possible after it has been established that there is an imbalance of thyroid hormones, but the doctor claims that this has nothing to do with gaining fat mass. Agree, it’s strange to hear about this, because many people know about increased appetite with hypothyroidism, which is one of the reasons for weight gain. In such a situation, the doctor may advise you to stop eating sweets and start exercising. We recommend that you consult another doctor and carry out appropriate therapy with his help.

What can thyroid diseases lead to?

• in women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted or periods become uneven;
• infertility may develop;
• severe depression appears;
• chronic fatigue develops;
• PMS syndrome appears;
• the concentration of low-density lipoproteins increases;
• the body becomes less susceptible to glucose;
• fibromyalgia develops.

Research has proven that if you have mental problems, at some point the thyroid gland will malfunction. We can recommend at least once a year to be examined for the concentration of thyroid hormones. The older you get, the higher your risk of developing thyroid disease. Even if the results of routine tests indicate that there are no problems with the functioning of the organ, carry out additional diagnostics.

Hormones synthesized by the thyroid gland

As soon as the concentration of hormones drops, a person immediately begins to feel a loss of strength. This disease was called hypothyroidism. However, high concentrations of T4 and T3 negatively affect the functioning of the entire body. In such a situation, excitability increases, sleep patterns are disrupted, and pain may appear in the muscles. The disease is called hyperthyroidism.

Normal functioning of the thyroid gland involves not only the production of T3 and T4 in the required quantities, but also in a certain ratio. Only in this case can a person feel good. Note that thyroxine can be synthesized from triiodothyronine, but this requires the substance TPO. Let's also talk about another hormone produced by the thyroid gland - calcitotin. The substance is necessary to accelerate processing processes and subsequent absorption of calcium. However, it does not in any way affect the relationship between the thyroid gland and excess weight.

The brain, which, in essence, is a “command center” that controls all processes, has a great influence on the functioning of the organ. The hypothalamus, a part of the brain, produces the substance GST, which activates the synthesis of thyrotropin. By monitoring the concentration of T3 and T4, the brain regulates the rate of their synthesis processes.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

1. Rapid gain of fat mass, which is extremely difficult to get rid of.
2. Feeling constantly tired.
3. Signs of developing depression.
4. Problems with menstruation in women.
5. Body temperature drops below 36 degrees.
6. Symptoms of early menopause.
7. Hair loss.
8. Disruption of the digestive system.
9. The voice becomes hoarse.
10. Heart rate increases.
11. Blood pressure drops.
12. Pain appears in the muscles and joints.
13. The reaction slows down.
14. A tingling sensation appears in the palms and wrists.
15. Sleep disturbances.
16. Allergies to many foods, dust, etc.

What test results are possible for thyroid diseases?

1. The concentration of HSH hormone exceeds normal limits.
2. High content of antibodies synthesized by the organ.
3. High level of lipoprotein compounds.
4. The concentration of liver enzymes increases.

All hormones are capable of influencing cell membranes. This is largely due to the feeling of fatigue and excess weight problems. This is possible even if the concentration of thyroid hormones is within acceptable limits. This situation is called underactive thyroid syndrome.

Unfortunately, this condition has not been fully studied, and scientists continue to work in this direction. In their opinion, the syndrome can develop without a person even knowing about it. As a result, excess weight is gained and the thyroid gland is involved in this.

Diets and thyroid function

When the balance of thyroid hormones is imbalanced, you will gain excess weight. This suggests that it is extremely important to maintain normal triiodothyronine concentrations. It is with its help that cellular structures can receive the necessary amount of energy.

Any hormone in the body can be in two forms - passive (bound) and active (free). In the first case, hormonal substances are bound by transport protein compounds and cannot affect tissues and organs. The body regulates the concentration of hormones in each of these forms independently.

When the concentration of free T3 is high, it negatively affects our health. However, a high content of the substance in this form is also not good. In this situation, scientists talk about the appearance of a “thyroid storm,” when the work of the organ is overstimulated.

This does not go unnoticed for cellular structures, because their activity also increases. Imagine a watch whose mechanism is faulty and the hands are rotating at high speed. Something similar happens in the body during a “thyroid storm.” As a result, cellular structures may well be destroyed. However, the body has a defense mechanism against high T3 activity.

To do this, free T3 is bound by transport protein compounds, and the concentration of the active hormone decreases. All this suggests that with metabolic disorders, regardless of the amount of food consumed, a person is not able to lose weight.

If you are on a strict diet program or otherwise hungry, your body will slow down its production of T3. In addition, the concentration of the active hormonal substance decreases. As a result, we see a paradox when we eat little food, but do not lose weight, and can even gain weight. Fasting can be beneficial, but to a certain extent.

If the body does not receive food for a long time, then for it this becomes a signal of the onset of a period of starvation. Metabolism slows down and at the first opportunity the amount of adipose tissue increases for a “rainy day”. In recent years, soy products have become increasingly popular, although opinions on them are mixed. Scientists have found that soy contains special isoflavins that stimulate the conversion of T3 to T4. As a result, the risks of developing thyroid diseases increase.

More about the relationship between excess weight and thyroid problems in the video below:

The thyroid gland is an organ belonging to the endocrine system. The thyroid gland is an internal secretion organ; it produces specific hormones, which are special regulatory proteins.

This gland is located on the anterior surface of the neck from 2 to 6 cartilaginous rings of the trachea, below the thyroid cartilage. It is an active, 24/7 hormone production factory. In this regard, it needs a constant supply of iodine, oxygen, amino acids, and other elements. The mass of the thyroid gland ranges from 20 to 60 g, but an average of 140 - 150 liters of blood passes through it per day!

How does the thyroid gland regulate fat deposits in the body?

Thyroid hormones directly or indirectly affect all biological processes in our body. This is a powerful regulator of the speed of metabolic processes. In addition, the hormone that directly regulates the activity of the thyroid gland also has a certain effect on many tissues of our body.

Hypothyroidism and excess weight

Hypothyroidism (hypo means decreased) is the opposite of hyperthyroidism, a condition that occurs in the body when there is low levels of thyroid hormones.
Hypothyroidism occurs in 1.5% to 2% of women and 0.2% of men. These disorders are more common due to age. Up to 10% of women over 65 may have some signs of hypothyroidism.

Somewhat less frequently, hypothyroidism also occurs among young people. For example, hypothyroidism in newborns causes a condition described as cretinism. It is characterized by mental retardation, jaundice, poor appetite, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. In adolescence, hypothyroidism is characterized by growth retardation and problems with the mental development of the child. Some medications can cause hypothyroidism by affecting the production of thyroid hormone. These include some heart medications, lithium medications, etc.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: weight gain, hypothermia (low body temperature), chilliness, jaundice of the skin, hypercholesterolemia, early atherosclerosis, etc. However, weight gain with hypothyroidism is not too great and is partly due to myxedematous edema, and not the accumulation of fat mass. This edema (myxedema) develops due to the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in the tissues - glucosaminoglycans, which sharply increase the hydrophilicity (water content) of the tissues.

Such disorders in connective tissue arise from the influence of thyroid-stimulating hormone, the amount of which increases significantly in various forms of hypothyroidism. Myxedema is also characterized by thickening of the skin and a puffy face. Of course, hypothyroidism is accompanied in many cases by the deposition of additional amounts of fat mass, but the main weight gain is still due to mucous edema.

Hypothyroidism usually develops slowly. Often the first symptom of the disease is hearing impairment, which forces the patient, first of all, to contact an otolaryngologist. This hearing loss occurs due to swelling of the auditory tube (Eustachian tube) and the organs of the middle ear. Difficulty in nasal breathing may also occur, which is associated with swelling of the nasal mucosa, a low, hoarse voice due to swelling and thickening of the vocal cords, and other symptoms. In severe cases of hypothyroidism, periorbital edema (swelling of the tissues in the eye sockets), puffy face, large lips and tongue with teeth marks on the lateral edges, swollen limbs, difficulty in nasal breathing, etc. are observed.

When treating hypothyroidism, body weight is reduced due to the loss of excess fluid, not fat. Also, in patients with hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine (L-T4), the degree of TSH suppression has no effect on body weight.

In the studies, patients with lower TSH levels had higher basal metabolic rates, but there was no difference in weight or fat and lean body mass. In contrast, it should be noted that with low levels of thyroid hormones, not only general metabolism decreases, but also appetite, which compensates for the potential risk of gaining excess weight

Such conclusions are supported by the observation that in patients receiving suppressive therapy for thyroid tumors, weight gain over 3–5 years corresponds to the usual level, despite a decrease in thyroid hormones in the blood.

Thus, as you yourself understand, with general significant obesity and the absence of additional symptoms of hypothyroidism, there is no reason to associate weight gain with hypothyroidism and prescribe hormonal therapy. Only insufficient thyroid function confirmed by laboratory testing may require correction. And this correction does not always involve prescribing thyroid hormones!

rice. Myxedema in a patient with hypothyroidism
(low thyroid function)
(illustration from textbook)

Hyperthyroidism and weight

Hyperthyroidism (hyper- means enlarged) refers to an increase in the thyroid gland's production of thyroid hormones. When the level of thyroid hormones increases, the metabolic rate, as well as energy expenditure at rest and during physical activity, correspondingly increases. With hyperthyroidism, this leads to weight loss with a decrease in the amount of fatty tissue. Many processes in the body also accelerate, body temperature rises (by the way, an increase in base body temperature is one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction), the heartbeat accelerates, and trembling occurs in the hands. Along with this, appetite increases, but despite this, patients often lose some weight (a kind of metabolic weight loss, not obesity). In this situation, additional energy will be spent on maintaining an elevated body temperature.

Losing weight with thyroid hormones

This effect of thyroid hormones on metabolism was the reason for the creation of weight loss methods using them. To do this, overweight patients were given additional thyroid hormones, despite their normal hormonal levels in the blood, which caused a condition similar to hyperthyroidism and led to some weight loss. However, weight loss with moderately severe hyperthyroidism is not too severe, while at the same time, with significantly severe hyperthyroidism, other symptoms begin to predominate - from the heart, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, etc. (It is in connection with these more noticeable disorders that patients turn to doctors .)

Is it right to use thyroid hormones for weight loss?

In my opinion, the prescription of thyroid hormones, with their normal amount in the blood, has a destructive effect on the entire regulatory system of our body. The weight loss caused by this method will be short-lived and will quickly return to the initial values, and what is even more likely, will exceed them. In addition, the impact of increased amounts of thyroid hormones on many organs and tissues will lead to their restructuring and an adaptive decrease in receptor sensitivity, which will subsequently cause withdrawal syndrome after the end of the course.

It should also be noted that attempts to use thyroid hormones in dietary supplements for weight loss often cause thyrotoxicosis with the possibility of developing thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

It is absolutely clear that the prescription of hormones can only be justified in cases where the thyroid gland cannot, for some reason, produce sufficient amounts of them. In any case, this should be decided with the participation of an endocrinologist.

There are contraindications, consult your doctor.

A person’s body weight depends on many factors - diet, physical activity, hormone levels in the blood. To a large extent, weight depends on the function of the thyroid gland. If it is strengthened, the person loses weight. With a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones, a progressive increase in body weight is observed.

How does the thyroid gland affect a person's weight?

The thyroid gland does not directly control weight, but it produces hormones (and triiodothyronine) that enhance the effect of catecholamines on the body. These, in turn, stimulate fat burning and increase energy expenditure.

In total, there are three reasons for weight gain due to insufficient function of thyroxine and triiodothyronine:

1. Decrease in basal metabolic rate. The higher the concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood, the greater the energy consumption. The lower it is, the lower the calorie expenditure. Accordingly, the risk increases with decreasing levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The lower the concentration of these hormones in the blood, the less a person has to eat to compensate for the insufficient metabolic rate.

2. Decreased physical and mental activity. With hypofunction of the thyroid gland, a person becomes lethargic, lazy, and apathetic. He sleeps a lot and moves little. Not only does a person at rest lose significantly less energy per unit of time, but he also does not want to do anything. Thus, calorie consumption is reduced even further.

3. Formation of edema. Depending on the severity of the disease, tissue swelling manifests itself in different ways. The face swells - it becomes puffy. Liquid accumulates in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, making it difficult for air to pass through, making the voice hoarse. Sometimes the limbs swell. Fluid retention in the body also affects weight, because every liter of water adds one kilogram to the total body weight.

The function of the thyroid gland can not only worsen, but also increase. In this case, a syndrome called thyrotoxicosis develops. A person loses weight despite increased nutrition. Associated symptoms: increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, mental agitation, hand tremors, frequent bowel movements, bulging eyes.

Excess weight due to thyroid gland

The syndrome in which the thyroid gland ceases to function fully and a person’s weight increases is called. The pathology affects women much more often than men (19 and 1 in 1000, respectively). Often the disease manifests itself during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Hypothyroidism has many causes, but most often the disease is caused by an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. Its parenchyma is gradually destroyed and replaced by connective tissue, which cannot produce hormones, but only replenishes the volume of the organ.

If a person suspects that they are overweight due to their thyroid gland, they can take a blood hormone test to check. Low levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine can be assumed based on the following signs:

• depression of the central nervous system (slow speech, apathy, decreased intellectual abilities, inability to concentrate for a long time);
• decreased heart rate;
• difficulty in nasal breathing;
• constipation;
• poor appetite;
• cold intolerance (due to decreased heat production, the patient freezes even in hot weather);
• splitting of nails;
• irregular periods.

All these symptoms only indirectly indicate hypothyroidism, but they also occur in many other diseases. Therefore, in order to confirm the diagnosis, you must definitely contact an endocrinologist and get tested.

Thyroid medications

To lose weight, as well as to eliminate other symptoms of hypothyroidism, it is necessary to normalize metabolic processes by restoring normal levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. Fortunately, this is quite easy to do. Pharmacies sell medications containing thyroid hormones. By taking them regularly, you can achieve full compensation for the disease.

Both thyroxine and triiodothyronine can be used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. The latter is more active, but it is used in practice extremely rarely. Firstly, this hormone is much more expensive, and secondly, it is more difficult to control a person’s condition with it - it is difficult to choose a daily dose that would restore the impaired metabolism.

Thyroxine is available in different dosages - from 25 to 150 mcg. It does not need to be injected like peptide hormones.

Thyroxine is taken orally, which greatly facilitates treatment for the patient and improves its tolerability. The dose is selected gradually, under the control of the results of blood tests for hormones. This is done by an endocrinologist.

Weight problems due to the thyroid gland do not disappear immediately after starting hormone replacement therapy. In addition, you need to understand that body weight will not decrease on its own. All the drugs will do is restore the normal metabolic rate, and not make it accelerate. To lose weight you will have to diet and exercise. However, if previously the success of such events was hampered by a not fully functioning thyroid gland, and excess weight stubbornly refused to go away even with a reduction in diet, now losing weight will occur much easier and faster.

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