The thyroid gland is responsible for helping to regulate various functions in the body, including the metabolism. An adversely working metabolism will affect body weight. Thus, if the thyroid does not function properly, then the metabolism will not work correctly as well.
Basal Metabolic Rate
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is determined by the calculation of the body's metabolism when it is at rest. Metabolism is the body's ability to convert calories into energy. An excessively high and excessively low BMR can possibly be indicative of a thyroid problem.
Hyperthyroidism
Weight loss is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, in which the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormones. These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The more active the thyroid gland is, then the more weight is lost. An overactive thyroid causes a person's BMR to skyrocket, which burns a great deal of calories. Weight loss occurs when such an individual cannot take in enough calories to make up for which is lost.
Weight Loss Prevention
Hyperthyroidism is often a result of the treatment for an under-active thyroid. Such treatment involves the administration of thyroid hormone replacement drugs. If the dosage is too high, the thyroid gland then becomes overactive, resulting in hyperthyroidism. An individual who takes thyroid hormone replacement drugs should have her blood drawn regularly to check thyroid hormone levels. Another treatment for hyperthyroidism is the administration of radioactive iodine, which directly prevents the thyroid gland from releasing too many hormones.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the condition in which the thyroid gland is under-active, and does not produce enough T3 and T4 hormones. As a result, hypothyroidism causes a person to gain weight, because his body cannot burn calories efficiently. The average hypothyroid patient gains up to 10 pounds as a result of this disorder, most of which is water weight.
Weight Loss Solution
Thyroid hormone replacement drugs are the primary form of treatment of hypothyroidism, and can help a patient lose the weight that was initially gained as a result of the lack of thyroid hormones produced. However, according to thyroid.org, the weight loss only adds up to about 10 percent of the individual's body weight, and is a slow process. If weight loss is hard to come by, despite hormone replacement drugs, proper diet, and exercise, then this could indicate that the dosage needs to be increased. Also, refrain from taking calcium supplements at the same time as thyroid hormone replacement medications, as this may disrupt their absorption in the body.
Tags: thyroid gland, hormone replacement, hormone replacement drugs, replacement drugs, thyroid hormone
