When the weight is “over”, sometimes the fault is the thyroid that works poorly. But how do you lose weight if it is really so?
It happens more and more often to those who want to throw off the extra pounds: before developing the diet, the specialist prescribes blood tests to check the functionality of the thyroid and check if there is a form of hypothyroidism.
It is a disorder characterized by a malfunction of the thyroid, which works too slowly compared to the needs of the body. It typically occurs in women and in most cases is diagnosed after the age of 55. In fact, it affects 7-8% of women before menopause, to reach about 10-15% after menopause.
The rules for a healthy diet
Be careful not to follow do-it-yourself diets: the specialist is always necessary to set up a custom regime based on disorders related to hypothyroidism, weight and lifestyle.
Applies to everyone, however, the advice to reduce the portions of this that you bring to the table. It is not difficult, just deceive the eye. For for example, you can choose small pasta shapes and cook 50 grams with vegetables of your choice cut into small pieces, such as zucchini, cabbage, carrots. The result is a hearty dish, but in Reality low in calories.
At least three times a week it is good to include fish in the menu, which contains omega 3 fatty acids, which help eliminate excess cholesterol and triglycerides from the blood.
Yes also to whole grains every day because, compared to the refined ones, raise less blood sugar, ie sugar in the blood. And at least four, five times a week choose the legumes, such as chickpeas, lentils, beans, as they are rich in fiber.
But is it really the thyroid’s fault?
It is not said that to immediately check thyroid function is the right way to go. “First of all, we must exclude whether the cause is excess calories, alone or associated with sedentary lifestyle – explains Vincenzo Toscano, President of the Association endocrinologists (AME)–. For this reason, the first visit must include a long interview in order to focus on the lifestyle of those who wants to lose weight and formulate a diet as much as possible on measure and the right physical activity. And, only in case of failure, you can check thyroid health.”
It must be said among other things that in those suffering from “true” hypothyroidism Weight gain is just one of the signs. There are also others, such as drowsiness and tiredness even after sleeping through the night, loss of strength, tingling and muscle cramps, poor ability to concentration, constipation, increased sense of cold. It is also typical wake up in the morning with the classic “bags” under your eyes and in general with bloating caused by water retention.
“The correct diagnosis must be made by evaluating not only the symptoms,” says Toscano. “Medical history and family, because thyroid diseases can be hereditary, at least in terms of predisposition. And request a blood test to check the value of the hormone TSH‘.
This hormone is a real indicator for checking the functionality of the thyroid gland. The reference values (expressed in mlU/l, thousandths of international units of biological activity per litre of blood) in adults are:
| Suspected hyperthyroidism | TSH < 0,5 mlU/l |
| Normal range | TSH 0.5-4 mlU/l |
| Suspected hypothyroidism | TSH > 4 mlU/l |
If the values are high, there is absolutely no need to worry. Thyroid activity can be brought back “in the ranks” with ad hoc drugs. And already within a few months the weight and any associated disorders could begin to improve.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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