Thyroid And Weight Management: Understanding The Connection
A thyroid imbalance can have a cascading effect throughout your entire body. Your thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped organ in your neck that is responsible for producing thyroid hormones that are released into the bloodstream. These hormones are responsible for several of your body’s functions including breathing, digestion, bone health, and body temperature.
The thyroid is also key to how well your body is able to convert the food you eat into energy for your cells. This process is called your metabolic rate and people with thyroid disorders can have unusual metabolic rates, especially if they have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms include tiredness, hair loss, depression, and difficulty keeping warm. Another sign of hypothyroidism is weight gain. Having a slower metabolic rate makes it harder to lose weight and to keep it off. However, medication and lifestyle changes can make thyroid weight management much easier.
Medications for Thyroid Imbalance
An underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, is most often treated by taking synthetic versions of thyroid hormones. Levothyroxine tablet is a prescription medication that replaces the thyroid hormones that your thyroid gland isn’t able to produce. Not everyone needs the same dosage, and it can sometimes take time to get your dosage right. When you’re first prescribed levothyroxine, you’ll need to get regular blood tests to check your hormone levels. Your dosage will be adjusted as needed until it’s correct. You’ll need to get blood tests at least once a year for your doctor to monitor your hormone levels. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away and ensure you keep taking your medication as directed. Once your medication starts working, your energy levels, body temperature regulation, and metabolic rate will improve.
Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss
Uncontrolled hypothyroidism can make it difficult to lose weight. The thyroid gland plays a big part in how well your metabolism is able to work, meaning people with a low thyroid have a lower metabolic rate. If you’ve been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, it’s important to take any medications you’ve been prescribed. Weight gain is one of the first signs of hypothyroidism. Treating hypothyroidism consistently and correctly will help you with weight gain by improving your metabolism and increasing your energy levels. Higher energy levels will make it easier to get more exercise and to make better food choices.
Thyroid Diet Tips
Everyone needs to make healthy food choices if they want to avoid weight gain. People with hypothyroidism need to be extra vigilant about what goes on their plates. By taking their medication and sticking to thyroid friendly diets, they can have a better overall outlook with a hypothyroidism diagnosis. Follow these thyroid diet tips to support your thyroid health and overall well-being:
- Avoid Sugar and Sweeteners
- Cut back on Carbs
- Get your Vitamins
- Eat Anti-Inflammatory foods
- Watch what you eat
Avoid Sugar and Sweeteners
Consuming high levels of sugars may impact thyroid hormone production. It’s not uncommon to use artificial sweeteners in place of regular sugar, but even these can affect your thyroid. All types of sugar, including artificial sweeteners, should be used in moderation.
Cut back on Carbs
People with hypothyroidism often report that they find themselves craving carbs more than usual. It’s thought that these cravings are the result of hypothyroidism lowering serotonin levels. Carbs contain serotonin so the body may crave them to raise serotonin levels.
Get your Vitamins
Certain vitamins and minerals can boost thyroid function and hormone production, including zinc, vitamin D, selenium, and iron. These nutrients can be found in foods like fortified cereals, oysters, legumes, and eggs etc. Taking supplements can provide an additional source if you have a deficiency.
Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Anti-inflammatory foods can assist thyroid and pituitary functions. Try to add plant-based foods, fish, nuts, and healthy fats to your diet like those found in Mediterranean diets. These diets often contain an abundance of anti-inflammatory foods like kale, spinach, almonds, olive oil, and tomatoes.
Watch what You Eat
Keeping track of what you eat is a beneficial tool for anyone looking to lose weight. You can start a food diary or download an app to record the foods and drinks you consume throughout the day.
Exercises for Thyroid Health
In addition to eating a thyroid conscious diet and taking your medications as directed, you should also partake in regular exercise. Research shows that some types of exercises may be more beneficial than others for people with hypothyroidism. However, any type of exercise you do will make a difference! If you’re looking to lose weight while managing a hypothyroidism diagnosis, you should try:
- Walking
- Strength Training
- Pilates
- Yoga
Walking
Walking is free, easy, and fun. People of most fitness levels can use walking as a way to lose weight, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Maintain a pace fast enough to get your blood pumping and walk for at least 30 minutes 5 times a week.
Strength Training
The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn. Strength training involves using an external force to enhance muscular strength. This external force or pressure can be from your body weight, weight machines, and free weights.
Pilates
Pilates is a popular and low impact form of exercises that strengthens the muscles and calms the mind. It can be done in classes or at home and doesn’t require any equipment. The core principles of Pilates are focusing on your breathing and using gentle movements to stretch and move your body.
Yoga
Like Pilates, yoga is low impact and uses body movements for weight loss. There are several different types of yoga, but there are a few poses thought to be best for people with thyroid dysfunction. This includes cat cow pose, camel pose, and cobra pose.
Treat Hypothyroidism with Pharmacy Planet
If you have a thyroid imbalance like hypothyroidism, Pharmacy Planet has prescription medications that can help you regulate your thyroid hormones. These medications can also help with an underactive thyroid and weight loss, especially when taken alongside thyroid-boosting diet and exercise. Start your consultation now to buy thyroid medication online in the UK.
