Are you gaining weight despite taking regular exercises and following a lean diet? You must be confused and wondering what’s happening to you. Schedule an appointment with CareFirst 360 medical clinic in Mansfield. After knowing your lifestyle and medical history, the first thing he might ask you is to test your thyroid hormone level. Your unnatural weight gain can be caused due to a condition known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism and weight gain are interrelated.
This article aims to discuss the interconnection between weight gain and hypothyroidism and when you should visit the clinic.
How can hypothyroidism cause weight gain?
Body weight and metabolism have long been known to be related to thyroid disease, in a complex manner. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in your body. The word metabolism refers to the amount of oxygen used by the body, over a definite period.
When the measurement of oxygen consumption is taken at resting condition, then it is called basic metabolic rate or BMR. Thyroid hormones regulate calorie consumption by your body.
Patients with an underactive thyroid have low BMR, and those with hyperactive thyroid glands have high BMR. Healthy thyroid depends on other body functions like a neurotransmitter, reproductive hormones, and adrenal glands.
As hypothyroidism patients, mostly women, have very low BMR, they undergo weight gain and have difficulty in losing excess weight. But not all women gain weight in hypothyroidism. It depends on individual biochemical actions, calorie consumption, and calorie use. That’s how hypothyroidism and weight gain are related.
Why weight gain happens even after dieting?
As you keep on dieting, you reduce your calorie intake, and so metabolic burn continues to fall. That is why you gain weight in hypothyroidism, even when you follow a lean diet.
When should you visit the healthcare clinic?
If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, consider the following steps:
- Take the recommended doses of medicine, prescribed by the doctor. The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach.
- Increase your intake of zinc and selenium, which are directly associated with thyroid function. Selenium helps to recycle iodine in your body. Selenium can be found in Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, eggs, beef, chicken, and legumes. Zinc regulates TSH. Zinc deficiency is uncommon. Foods that have high zinc content are oysters and shellfish, beef, chicken, legumes, nuts, milk, and yogurt.
- Drink water before having meals that can help us to consume fewer calories.
- Eat a gluten-free diet, which can be effective in losing weight in hypothyroidism. Gluten has high goitrogen content. Goitrogens are an element that suppresses thyroid hormone production as it interferes with iodine uptake.
- Take small frequent meals with a balanced amount of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fat. Cut down excess sugar. Eat more fruits and vegetables which are low in fat.
- Avoid inflammatory foods, to ensure that your body is getting the right nutrients to support your thyroid. You must skip white bread, pasta, pastries, packaged foods, artificial sweeteners, processed dairy, and desserts. Consume more anti-inflammatory foods that can boost your immune system and reduce the joint pains and depression that result from hypothyroidism. Consume leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, fatty fish, fruits, nuts, and olive oil, which are good anti-inflammatory foods
- You must exercise regularly along with taking a lean diet. It is important to burn calories. But do not over-exercise
- Getting enough sleep is an important factor for weight loss
Still, if you are gaining weight, visit CareFirst 360, the healthcare clinic located in Mansfield, right away. CareFirst 360, the medical clinic in Mansfield, offers weight management services through customized plans to help you lose weight. Our healthcare clinic has a team of experts including a dietician and clinical psychologist who can help you start your weight loss journey.