Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain

COULD YOU HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM?  PLEASE READ THIS:

Hypothyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs.  Thyroid hormones regulate your body's metabolism and affects every organ in your body.  Without enough thyroid hormone, many of the body's functions slow down. 

The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped, 2 inches long, in front of your neck, below the larynx.  The thyroid gland weighs less than 1 ounce.  The thyroid gland is one of the glands that make up the endocrine system.  The glands of the endocrine system produce, store hormones and release them into the bloodstream.  Hormones travel through the body and direct the activity of the body's cells. 

The thyroid gland makes two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4).  T3 is made from T4 and is the more active hormone. 

Thyroid hormones affect metabolism, brain development, breathing, heart, nervous system functions, body temperature, muscle strength, skin dryness, menstrual cycles, weight and cholesterol levels.  It is very important to have your thyroid level checked. 

Hypothyroidism symptoms include:  Fatigue, weight gain, a puffy face, cold intolerance, joint and muscle pain, constipation, dry skin, dry thinning hair, decreased sweating, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, impaired fertility, slowed heart rate. 

Hypothyroidism develops slowly, so many people do not even notice symptoms of the disease.  The disease can also contribute to high cholesterol.  Patients that have been diagnosed with high cholesterol should be tested for hypothyroidism. 

Women are more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism.  The doctor should order patients to have a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test.  The test will detect tiny amounts of TSH in the blood.  This is the most accurate measure of thyroid activity available.  A TSH reading above normal means that a person has hypothyroidism.  A TSH reading below normal means that a person has hyperthyroidism.  The doctor may also conduct additional tests.  A T4 test measures the actual amount of circulating thyroid hormone in the blood.  In hypothyroidism, the level of T4 in the blood is lower than normal.   The thyroid autoantibody test looks for the presence of these autoantibodies. 

Treatment:  Synthetic thyroxine, a medication that is identical to the hormone T4 will be given.  The dose will depend on the patient's age, weight and severity of the hypothyroidism.  The presence of other health issues and whether the patient is taking other drugs might interfere with how well the body uses the thyroid hormone. 

The doctor will test TSH levels for 6-8 weeks, after a patient begins taking the thyroid hormone.  Adjustments to the dose may be necessary.  Each time dose is adjusted, blood will be tested again.  Once a stable dose is reached, blood tests are normally repeated in 6 months to once a year. 

Hypothyroidism can be controlled with synthetic thyroxine, as long as recommended dose is taken every day as instructed.  Medication should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, preferably 30 minutes before a meal.  Vitamins should be taken at a separate time, at least 4 hours after taking the thyroxine.  Other medications should be taken at a different time also.  Please discuss all medications you are on with your doctor. 

Eating a well balanced diet is also very important.  Soy products have also been known to cause severe fluctuations in thyroid levels. 

If you have any of the symptoms noted above, please request for your doctor to do a TSH test.  This could be the main reason why you are putting on weight, especially if you are already eating a well balanced diet.