THYROID GLAND MIGHT BE THE REASON YOUR NOT LOSEING WEIGHT
Friday, July 29, 2011
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rn-fat.com/ZeroFriction
It sometimes sounds like a cop out when heavy people
blame their weight problem on their glands, but in many
cases it's actually true!
The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ at the base
of your throat, regulates many bodily functions, including
metabolism.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't
produce enough hormones. This deficiency can cause a
number of symptoms, including weight gain.
Your Thyroid and Your Weight
The thyroid is a specialized gland that takes iodine
from the foods you eat and converts it into hormones.
These hormones are released into the bloodstream, where
they stimulate your metabolism. The hormones tell every
don't assume your metabolism is slowing due to age; it is
estimated that 10% of all women might suffer from some
level of thyroid deficiency.
Ask your doctor for a thyroid screening if you notice
any of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Joint pain
- Dry skin
- Brittle hair and nails
- Weight gain
- Sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- High cholesterol
- Depression
These symptoms often emerge over the course of months
or years. If you notice some of these problems becoming
gradually worse, get a thyroid test just to be on the safe
side. Even if you qualify as a borderline case, the
condition could worsen over time.
Hypothyroidism is most commonly treated with the
synthetic hormone Levothyroxine. Your doctor will discuss
all available treatment options with you after your
diagnosis.
Hyperthyroidism
80% of all thyroid problems fall into the hypothyroid
category. The remaining 20% of patients suffer from
hyperthyroidism. At first glance, this seems like the
preferable condition to have, since it causes weight loss
instead of gain.
But hyperthyroidism comes with a bundle of other nasty
symptoms, including:
- Heart palpitations
- Nervousness
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Heat intolerance
- Insomnia
-
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces excess
hormones. This over-stimulates the metabolism, making the
patient feel tired, anxious, hot, and shaky.
This condition can be treated with drug therapy,
radiation, or surgical removal of part of the thyroid
gland.
What Causes Thyroid Malfunctions?
Most thyroid disease is caused by trauma to the thyroid
gland. Common causes include injury, previous surgeries,
and past radiation treatments.
Sometimes our bodies attack our thyroid gland due to an
autoimmune response. If too many thyroid cells are damaged
or destroyed, a decrease in hormone production can occur.
There is a strong link between your weight and the
efficiency of your thyroid gland.
If you suspect that your thyroid isn't producing an
adequate amount of hormones, ask your doctor for the
simple blood test that can get you on track for diagnosis
and treatment.