How To Lose Weight With Hypothyroidism

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The lack of thyroid hormones, which occurs in hypothyroidism, slows down almost all metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, hypothyroidism often triggers weight gain, even if the affected patients eat little. In addition, there is increased fluid retention between the organs and cells (interstitium). This also increases the body weight.

Weight loss with hypothyroidism

Losing weight despite hypothyroidism is not easy, but still possible. The combination of different approaches helps:

Take thyroid hormones

As long as the cause of unwanted weight gain – the lack of thyroid hormones – is not eliminated, people with hypothyroidism will hardly be able to lose weight. The first thing to do is therefore to start taking the artificial thyroid hormone L-thyroxine under medical supervision. It replaces the missing endogenous hormones. This allows the metabolism to “accelerate” again – the prerequisite for successful weight loss.

Be patient

Whether hypothyroidism is the reason for being overweight or other causes are behind it – if you want to reduce your weight permanently, you need patience. Because no matter how many energy reserves the body has accumulated on the hips, buttocks or thighs, it will resist weight loss. This is based on an originally important body function: In the past, it was vital for people to be able to quickly compensate for weight loss and maintain energy reserves.

Therefore, fashionable diets that promise weight loss in the shortest possible time are also nonsensical: the kilos do indeed fall quickly, but are usually just as quickly back again.

Seek medical advice

Patients who are overweight due to hypothyroidism should consult their doctor if they are seeking to lose weight. How much weight loss is good depends, among other things, on the degree of overweight, the age of the patient and his or her health condition. Doctor and patient can jointly agree on a treatment goal – i.e. a weight to be aimed at – and consider how this can best be achieved.

Proper diet and exercise

Healthy weight loss is primarily based on a good balance between diet and exercise. A doctor and/or nutritionist can help you prepare a suitable diet. It should consist of a calorie-reduced, but balanced and varied mixed diet. Individual likes and dislikes should be taken into account to make it easier for the patient to adhere to them.

Patients should discuss with an experienced doctor or sports therapist which and how much sport best supports weight loss in individual cases of hypothyroidism. An important role is played by the current fitness level, possible accompanying illnesses and health problems that the overweight has already caused (for example, knee damage). When drawing up the training programme, sports or forms of exercise should also be chosen that are easy on the joints and spine and are fun for the patient. This applies to people without thyroid problems as well as those with hypothyroidism: losing weight requires regular and consistent exercise training, and if you enjoy it, it is easier to stick to it.

Small organ, big effect

The thyroid gland is a small organ with a large effect: in particular, the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which it produces, influence most of the body’s functions – for example, heartbeat, metabolism, heat production and blood pressure. The effects are correspondingly great when the thyroid gland goes out of balance. Here you can read how to recognize a fault and what to do.

If the thyroid gland is underactive, not enough thyroid hormones circulate in the blood. Then the basal metabolic rate of the body decreases – the affected persons increase. Chronic constipation, excessive freezing and fatigue also frequently occur. A hypofunction can impair memory and thinking performance. The desire for sex diminishes, men develop potency disorders. In addition, people with hypofunction often have shaggy hair and their skin looks doughy.

Thyroid hormones are important for body growth and brain maturation. This is why an underfunction of the thyroid gland is particularly dangerous in childhood. This can result in dwarfism and severe mental retardation.

When the immune system attacks the thyroid gland

Some people are already born with an underactive thyroid gland. Mostly, however, it is the consequence of a chronic inflammation triggered by an autoimmune disease, especially the so-called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The immune system attacks the thyroid gland tissue.

Lump in the neck

Iodine deficiency can also cause an underfunction of the thyroid gland. The body needs the trace element to produce thyroid hormones. If the thyroid gland receives too little iodine, it can no longer produce enough hormones. It tries to compensate for this deficit by increasing its size. Knots form or a so-called goiter (struma) develops, which can take on dimensions the size of a tennis ball. Especially in areas where there is a lack of iodine in the soil, such goiters were common in the past.

Fish protects the thyroid gland

In order to prevent the formation of goitre, humans must take in sufficient iodine with their food. An adult needs about 200 micrograms per day. Especially fish and seafood contain a lot of iodine. However, table salt enriched with iodine is now also available everywhere. Heavily visible goiters due to iodine deficiency occur only rarely.