Hypothyroidism why weight gain

The cause of this weight is complex and not always related to excess fat accumulation. Most of the extra weight gained is due to excess accumulation of salt and water. Massive weight gain is rarely associated with hypothyroidism. In general, pounds of body weight may be attributable to thyroid, depending on the severity of the disease.

The first step for addressing weight gain related to hypothyroidism is to take thyroid medications as directed. Thyroid hormone should be taken on empty stomach first thing in the morning with water. Take it by itself and wait at least one hour before eating something or taking any other medications. It can also lead to multiple other metabolic problems, heart problems and osteoporosis. If weight gain is your only symptom, it is unlikely that it is due to your thyroid.

Bloomgarden cautions that the vast majority of weight gain is not thyroid-related, as the thyroid is only one small contributor to the regulation of body weight. If it does not, I work with my patients to address other causes of weight gain, in particular focusing on getting adequate sleep, making healthy food choices and exercising.

Hypothyroidism is more likely to develop in women, and a personal history or family history of thyroid issues can increase your risk. To accurately test for hypothyroidism, a blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone TSH is used. Even small changes in your thyroid hormone levels T4 and T3 will cause very big changes in TSH secretion. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your physician will work with you to find the appropriate treatment.

The most frequently used treatment for hypothyroidism is replacing the hormone with a substitute, known as levothyroxine LT4.

This is a precursor to the active hormone and seeks to replicate the hormones your body is failing to produce properly. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can be nonspecific or reflect other issues.

You may experience:. There are plenty of other reasons why your thyroid can be easily misunderstood. She suggests speaking with your physician to create a personalized plan that meets your own unique needs.

She also recommends against taking any supplements or following any fad diets for your thyroid, as these are not backed up by science and have the potential for harm. A meal plan for hypothyroidism can keep you on track in terms of calorie goals. You also need to be careful to avoid goitrogenic foods , which can disrupt your thyroid function. Exercise can also help you lose weight. Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend that adults get minutes of moderate exercise and two sessions of muscle-building each week.

However, people with hypothyroidism may need to go beyond these recommendations to lose weight. Sleep deprivation is strongly linked to weight gain, and that association is clear whether you have thyroid disease or not.

If you have thyroid disease, you know that there are many symptoms. Mild to moderate weight gain is almost always part of living with hypothyroidism, and obesity, while less common, can be a problem as well. Usually, adequate thyroid treatment, as well as some lifestyle strategies, are needed to maintain a healthy weight—and to feel your best overall.

Losing weight with thyroid disease can be a struggle. Our thyroid-friendly meal plan can help. Sign up and get yours free! Adv Ther. Thyroid hormone regulation of metabolism. Physiol Rev. Am J Clin Nutr. J Clin Diagn Res. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity guidelines for Americans. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. AlDabal L. Open Respir Med J.

Front Endocrinol Lausanne.