Hypothyroidism and Obesity

Hypothyroidism is a term used to describe a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones.  This upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in the body.

Your thyroid gland is a small gland that sits at the base of the front of your neck, just below your voice box.  Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones greatly influence your metabolism and health. Together they maintain the rate at which your body utilises fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate and help regulate your production of proteins.

Hypothyroidism is quite easy to diagnose.  A blood test that measures the level of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and sometimes the measure of T3 and T4 can accurately diagnose hypothyroidism.  A low level of thyroxine and a high level of TSH indicate hypothyroidism. TSH is produced by your pituitary gland.  It is elevated in hypothyroidism because your pituitary gland is pumping out more TSH in an effort to stimulate your thyroid gland into producing more thyroid hormones.

Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, however, you are at an increased risk if you:

• are a female over the age of 60
• have autoimmune disease
• have a family history of hypothyroidism
• have a family history of autoimmune disease
• have been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
• received radiation to your neck or upper chest
• have had a partial thyroidectomy
• have been pregnant or had a baby within the past six months

In the early stages of hypothyroidism, you may not show any signs or symptoms, but, with time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health issues including obesity, joint pain, heart disease and infertility.  Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism may vary from person to person depending on the severity of hormone deficiency.  Any health issue related to hypothyroidism may develop slowly over the course of years.  Initially you may notice some weight gain and tiredness and many people attribute these symptoms to just getting older.

Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves the daily use of synthetic thyroid hormone.  This treatment is usually simple, safe and very effective.  One to two weeks after starting the replacement medication you will notice that you are feeling less tired.  Eventually the treatment will gradually lower cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and reverse any weight gain. Treatment is lifelong in most cases.  The dosage that your body needs may change over time and so your doctor will need to check your TSH at regular intervals to make sure you are taking the correct dose.

While hypothyroidism is associated with obesity,  obesity is most commonly caused by inactivity and poor diet. Portion sizes, finding time to prepare healthy meals and exercise routines are also contributors.

All clients embarking on a medically supervised program, have initial pathology screening which includes testing their thyroid levels.  These results are then discussed with the client with the medical staff at the initial medical consultation.  We have had over 7000 clients through these programs and the incidence of a client having an abnormal thyroid prior to starting, would be less than 1%.

Obesity plays a serious role in your quality of life. Obesity increases your risk for serious health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also lead to stroke and certain kinds of cancer.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition, is key to help preventing the health problems associated with obesity. Specific recommendations include:

1. Follow an appropriate energy controlled meal plan that creates an energy deficit of 500cals per day.  This will result on average a loss of approx 0.5kgs per week
2. Engage in formal exercise  and increase incidental exercise 
3. Include resistance exercise 
4. Good planning is key to ensure regular exercise and healthy eating is always part of your daily routine
5. Respond to lifestyle, behavioral and environmental cues through alternative strategies that don’t include food.
6. Ensure you are well hydrated
7. Get adequate amounts of sleep

In terms of thyroid health, ensure you get the required treatment from your GP as soon as possible.