Weight Changes Due To Thyroid Disease
Part of the endocrine system of the body, the thyroid is a gland which produces hormones that are responsible for metabolic regulation. Imbalances in this gland can have many effects on the body including fluctuations in weight, either up or down, that can not be adjusted through diet or exercise alone.
The type of effects which the imbalance has will depend on whether the person is experiencing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid is working too much and overproducing the thyroid hormones. In hypothyroidism it is not working enough and not producing enough of those same hormones. In each case, the result is in imbalance in the metabolism of the body.
In the case of hyperthyroidism, the metabolism works too quickly. This will result in weight loss and increased appetite with an inability to gain weight. To a person with weight problems, that might seem ideal. However, it also leads to a speeding up of the entire sympathetic nervous system which in turn can lead to anxiety, palpitations, respiratory problems and a host of other ills.
A too slow metabolism and, therefore, weight gain and edema are hallmark symptoms of an under active thyroid. Other symptoms besides the slower metabolism include depression, fatigue, and feeling the cold more than usual.
It is rare for these symptoms to come on suddenly. Usually, they develop over a period of time. This makes it tricky to know that medical help should be sought, as most of the symptoms can be indicative or other issues. Fatigue, in particular, can be a result of other illnesses or merely not getting enough sleep.
Once medical help is sought, various tests are usually done to confirm a diagnosis of thyroid disease. Blood tests are done but cannot always be relied upon to give a true confirmation. Causes of thyroid problems are many, whether hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, and there are various treatment methods possible.
If a person suffers from an overactive thyroid, they can take medications which help to lower the output of hormones. In this case, care must be taken with dosages so that the person does not become hypothyroid. In many instances, people taking these medications can even experience periods of remission of their disease. Treatment with iodine that is radioactive is another possible method, although some people prefer not to use this method because of that radioactivity. Surgery is generally not opted for unless absolutely necessary.
With hypothyroidism, the recommended treatment is almost always hormone replacement medication. This can come in a more natural form, made from the thyroid of pigs, or synthetic. However, the synthetic type is far more commonly used.
Among the various alternative therapies which are now considered are yoga and other breathing exercises, acupressure, acupuncture, herbal supplements, and diet. Generally, these therapies are thought to be more effective if the condition is treated in the beginning before the imbalance becomes too severe. Even for people who need to be on medication of some type, these therapies may help to improve the thyroid imbalances as well.
Would you like to learn more about hypothyroidism and weight gain? Read other articles at hypothyroidism diet
Related posts:
- Effective Weight Loss Diet-Do Eating Patterns Impact Our Weight Loss Program Just hang on with me, this is not a wonder...
- Supplements To Aid Weight Loss There are different types of fat loss supplements which will...
- Why People Cannot Lose Weight Some individuals, regardless of how hard they try just cannot...
- Considering Weight Loss Supplements And Your Weight Loss Program When you are thinking about losing weight, you may be...
- Important Things To Know Concerning Stomach Weight Loss What to know about stomach weight loss may depend on...
