Hypothyroidism
and Weight Loss
"There are a few health imbalances that prevent weight loss. Hypothyroidism is one of them."
This condition is a state in humans and in animals caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. It is another source of weight gain and inability to lose weight.
If there is a disorder that prevents thyroid hormone such as thyroxine to be produced in adequate quantity, your body’s ability to convert nutrients to energy is reduced. As a result insulin converts this unused amount of nutrients and converts it to body fat. This rate of conversion is what people commonly mistake for the definition of metabolism. This conversion or rate of creation of nutrients to energy is just one part of your metabolism. Thyroid hormones directly affect the way your cells work and can change the inner working of it. Clinical hypothyroidism is usually diagnosed when there is a physical problem with the thyroid gland itself. This is often handled medically through surgery or hormone replacement therapy. There is another category of this condition, however, that is more prevalent and is affecting many more people with weight loss.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism
This is a situation where doctors cannot find a problem with your thyroid and also cannot find a problem with your thyroid hormone levels. Yet you have hypo-thyroid symptoms. This is frustrating as in the person's mind, even the doctor cannot find proof there is a problem, yet you know there is. This is the "subclinical" world. What a lot of people do not realize is that almost every diagnostic test Western medicine uses today on a regular basis was once a test to find something that other tests could not. At that former point in time, the "establishment" agreed what was considered an illness or a condition. They agreed on the parameters to objectively determine whether someone fits into this category. Those who did not simply were not considered to have that illness. But others developed other tests that were outside the "established" parameters. Many times these other test would indicate something was there that the establishment did not recognize. When the illness was treated regardless, the person's symptoms were relieved. Over time, however, these other tests became the "norm" and the establishment considered their findings "medically relevant." An example is hurting teeth. This is a general feeling of teeth hurting. Not a tooth ache. A generalized dull hurt across all teeth. This is now a "clear" indication of scurvy (deficiency of vitamin C) but at one time, this indication was relegated to "old-wives" diagnoses. Subclinical hypothyroidism is the same. You can read about it here, "Subclinical Hypothyroidism." Western science and medicine has come a long way and is extremely valuable. There are many doctors and researchers that I admire very much. But I find the most ignored aspect of medicine is the actual person himself and what he or she is communicating.
Hypothyroid Symptoms and Weight Loss
With a sluggish thyroid, the fat distribution is generalized. It is not predominant on the hips and thighs like the estrogen-dominance condition or around the midsection like the adrenal fatigue condition. What I look for is broad looking shoulders and thick and/or sagging upper arms. The silhouette of the person is more rectangle-shaped. With the adrenal fatigue condition, the arms shoulders, thighs and legs in general are thin. Sometimes even bony and with low-muscle tone. With the hypothyroid case they are all thick. With the estrogen-dominance condition, during pre-menopause, the upper body can be quite thin but the body flares out at the hips and thighs. Druing and after menopause the the fat climbs up to fill the midsection while still remaining on the hips and thighs as well. Yet the shoulders and upper arms can look normal. This “fat” is actually fluids. The condition is called myxedema and is a result of a low-performing thyroid. Sagging upper arms is a trait of the hypothyroid This is one type of stubborn fat that is like a wall you are just running into no matter what. With the adrenal case, you feel like you are running up a slippery hill. It is exhausting. With the thyroid it is different. It is like an immovable object you are pushing against. There is a lowered sex drive and for women sometimes a complete loss of the menstrual cycle. Hair is brittle and cannot be curled. This person also has felt cold or colder when others around them are not. The extremities, like the hands and feet, can also feel colder due to the slowdown of the metabolism.
Demand for Sugar
Because of the slowdown of the metabolic process, the energy creation process is also stunted. Thus the nervous system starts to look for faster ways to get energy. One of the ways to do this is to create cravings for sugary foods and/or foods that convert to sugar/glucose right away. Sugar will convert to cellular energy very quickly. So since the body's ability to create energy is decreased through a lowered metabolism, sugar will be demanded in an effort to help you survive. So there will be cravings for breads and sugary carbohydrates and refined foods with no nutrient value.
Related Hypothyroidism Articles:
Metabolism Makeover
If you have hypothyroidism, don't worry the plan and solution to solve that so you can lose weight is in my book,Metabolism Makeover. Solving it should be part of a comprehensive weight loss program that focuses of restoring health first to lose weight. Knowing how to use it will save you time, money and hassle because you don't have anymore guess work. I lay it out for you. It is all in this book. If you are interested check out Metabolism Makeover.
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