Hypothyroid & Weight-loss Management

[MaminaNana]

People with Hypothyroid do seem/tend to have problems losing weight as easily as many others due to problems with metabolism! What other help/advice can be given to people with hypothyroidism who genuinely are struggling to lose weight? Thanks Mamina

[Gary Turner]

Hey Mamina, hope you are well!

Unfortunately metabolism is not very well understood generally.

Metabolism is "all the chemical reactions that take place in our body". The reactions use energy, and this helps dictate how much energy we use in our bodies, and drives our behaviour to conserve/use that energy.

Slow metabolism does not equate to weight gain.

An example - my professional sport career is now over, so I run ultramarathons for fun (as you do lol!). I am 90kg and have a six pack. My metabolism is SUPER-SLOW! My rest heart beat is around 40bpm. I conserve energy and my body has trained itself to be a very efficient user of energy.

It is a myth that exercise results in a fast metabolism. A slow metabolism does not equate to weight gain. Consider it a diversion...

Yep, hypothyroid issues don't really help matters, as yes, the body is thrown out, the hormonal effects in the endocrine system aren't exactly helpful. Yet the same rules will apply as for others.

From the readings and study that I have carried out one thing keeps coming up for weight management for those with underactive thryroids - cut back on carbs. (This is individual advice for hypothyroid issues - not advice for general poplace.

I hope this helps a little, and there are some great experts here who should be able to add to this and take things further from their view!

[Julie Thompson]

Hi Maminia

I would agree with Gary that having a condition such as underactive thyroid can make weight management more of a challenge. Normally you would have your thyroid levels checked on an annual basis to ensure the medication prescribed to help is at the correct dose - you should ensure you have it checked, as, if your blood thyroid levels are not within range you will struggle to maintain. Please do not feel that you are unable to do anything to manage your weight as a consequence of your underactive thyroid, even small changes in your weight can be of benefit to your health. A modest weight loss will have good effects on conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and high cholesterol for example. Your GP/practice nurse will be able to give you information on any local interventions (groups) which will be able to help. I would advise you to discuss your situation with a healthcare provider who can give you tailored advice on how to change your diet, personal goals with some help to change habits can be really beneficial.

[Myrna]

With all due respect, please click into Thyroid Uk and repeat the answers you have given and see what replies you get to your advise. I could have replied to you myself, but I am trying respectfully to control myself.
I would suggest that anyone who wants advise on Thyroid related topics can do no better than log into this site for educated, friendly and informed help.
Myrna Richmond.

[ZephyrBear]

Well, lucky ol' you, Gary with your six-pack and do you honestly think you're telling us something we haven't already had from GPs and endocrinologists all over the NHS, to our back-teeth Julie???
Neither of you obviously have any personal experience of hypothyroidism (which isn't just a case of slow metabolism) and the standard TSH blood-tests show nothing significant at all and are about as useful as a chocolate teapot!!! Like Myrna before me, I would advise you to go to the ThyroidUK website and forum if you have the stomach (or six-pack) for it and have a look there for the very VERY REAL problems thousands of us are having to cope with, especially when the medical profession reflects your highly patronising attitudes extensively!!!

[Gary Turner]

Hi Myrna, thanks for giving a great resource for everyone. I for one am going to take a look.

Zepherbear, I would suggest you read accurately the original post, and my response. The original post "due to problems with metabolism!" which I responded to that metabolism in this case is a diversion. To expand on it, it is a symptom that can be managed, and not the cause.

I did illustrate the "slow metabolism" common conception with an example. I'm sorry you took offence to it.

Further, the OP states "What other help/advice can be given to people with hypothyroidism who genuinely are struggling to lose weight?" to which I responded with "From the readings and study that I have carried out one thing keeps coming up for weight management for those with underactive thryroids - cut back on carbs."

Both of which are accurate points in response to the OP.

Hyperthyroid is characterised by an increase in the overall metabolic rate. Hypnotheroid is characterised by a depression of metabolic rate. Both affect metabolism. Metabolism is a base context - what you do with it is what creates the results. It is how you operate within that metabolism that creates the results.

I would also like to point out that although I have not suffered from thyroid issues myself I have direct experience of working with those who have. You do not have to have suffered to understand the processes and how to work with it. Only the individual can understand the exact impacts.

I must answer this point you have made too "do you honestly think you're telling us something we haven't already had from GPs and endocrinologists all over the NHS" - I'm pleased you have said this. This means our advice is working as a generalisation within accepted science as practiced by GPs and endocrinologists.

I am always more than willing to enter into discussion, so if you would like to post further - especially if you can correct anything from my posts and lead me to greater learning, I would be obliged.

[Dr Masud Haq]

Dear Mamina

Many hypothyroid patients do struggle to lose weight. This can be due to a combination of reasons. Quite often patients gain weight prior to being diagnosed and then despite what is perceived to be stable thyroid levels on treatment, have difficulty losing weight. It's imperative to initially ensure TSH levels are at the lower end of the normal range. Some patients feel completely different if they have a TSH level of 2.0 in comparison to a level of 0.5mU/L. A simple alteration to the thyroxine dose can sometimes have a beneficial impact. In some patients who have adequate TSH levels despite thyroxine, then it may be worth considering a trial of combination therapy with liothyronine (T3). As T3 is considered the more biologically active form of the hormone some patients do feel better but there's no guarantee that a patient will lose weight but it can be considered.

Adrenal function should be formally assessed as very occasionally weight gain may be due to excess cortisol secretion. Although growth hormone deficiency is rare, it can also cause weight gain. Patients with pituitary problems will sometimes have such problems. Lastly, in male patients, testosterone deficiency can sometimes lead to weight gain and may occasionally occur in combination with an under active thyroid.

Masud