Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?

Thyroid Can Cause Weight Gain

Weight gain is the most common problem experienced by women who are suffering from a thyroid disorder. Studies show a higher prevalence of obesity in people with defective thyroid function. People often gain weight when they develop hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and then find it hard to lose the weight no matter what they do, and many people with thyroid disorders who exercise regularly and eat the perfect diet still find it hard to eliminate the extra kilos.

Why can’t I lose the weight?

Thyroid hormones regulate the body’s metabolism, specifically the breakdown of sugar, fat and protein inside the cell. When your level of thyroid hormones are low (due to hypothyroidism), the food you eat cannot be utilized effectively, hence why you gain weight. This also explains why people with thyroid issues find it difficult to release weight too.

Another reason why you may be gaining weight is because of the increase in your estrogen levels. When your thyroid hormone level declines, estrogen levels increase. This is because healthy thyroid hormone levels are necessary to metabolize estrogen. To make matters worse, excessive estrogen in the body can further inhibit thyroid function.

Another hormone that can prevent weight loss is Leptin. Leptin is a hormone that controls appetite, however, a lack of thyroid hormone in circulation will cause leptin levels to increase which will then cause your appetite and portion sizes to increase.
In addition to all this, hypothyroidism causes a decline in serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain that regulates your carbohydrate and sugar cravings. So if you’ve ever felt compelled to go on a crazy food binge, your serotonin levels may be to blame!

Hypothyroidism may also lead to insulin resistance, meaning your body may find it difficult to utilize sugar effectively. Insulin is a fat storage hormone. The pancreas of an insulin resistant person will release more insulin than a non-resistant person meaning more fat will be stored even if both people are eating the exact same thing. This can be why your slim friend appears to be able to eat whatever she wants without gaining a gram while simply looking at a piece of cake can make you gain 2kg! This is because the slim friend has a healthy insulin response.

Treatment

Thyroxine is a common prescription taken by those with hypothyroid and will often allow you to achieve “normal” blood test results once you commence taking the drug.
Thyroxine simply pumps more thyroid hormone into the blood stream but does not correct the underlying issues.
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As previously mentioned, weight loss can be difficult for those with thyroid problems for a number of reasons.
Several hormones are out of balance and it seems as if the only thing your body wants to do is gain weight!

This is where a low-carb diet can help.

The biggest benefit of following a low-carb diet is that it can improve insulin sensitivity, meaning it can assist your body to reverse insulin resistance. Once insulin levels start to come down, weight will follow, especially that stubborn weight that is often held around the waist.

Eating a diet rich in healthy protein, fats, vegetables and low fructose fruit will also improve your gut health which will increase the amount of serotonin your body produces (as over 70% of our serotonin is produced in the gut) – meaning crazy binge sessions will become less and less frequent.

As you start to lose weight and reduce your carb intake, leptin levels will also go down meaning your appetite will begin to regulate itself and you will enter a positive cycle of healthy habits.

Wheat is a potent hormone disruptor, by going low-carb you will be temporarily eliminating wheat from your diet, allowing your body to have some time to restore hormonal balance.

A diet low in carbs and processed sugar takes some stress off the liver which means your body will be able to flush excess hormones and fat out of the body more effectively than before.
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In addition to a low carb diet, I have had great success using certain herbs to regulate thyroid hormones, estrogen levels and to reverse any potential insulin resistance.
If you are searching for expert advice and for someone to assist you on your weight loss journey while restoring balance to your hormones, contact me today using the form below.