Did you know that if you have a healthy thyroid, you may lose a few extra pounds too?

For many, their thyroid disorder is the culprit for their weight gain.  You need to have a healthy thyroid to maintain the balance of hormonal levels like the TSH and thyroid hormones.  With this, your body and its metabolism functions will be working properly and the gaining of weight will be controlled.

Your thyroid is found below your voice box at the front of your neck.  Your thyroid gland secretes the right amount of thyroid hormones to your body.   If your thyroid hormone levels become too low, your pituitary gland acts to secrete the TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone.  This hormone is responsible for producing more thyroid hormones for the body to use; the right amount of thyroid hormones and then in turn correct metabolism and control weight gain.

The most common symptom of having an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is weight gain.  If your thyroid doesn’t produce adequate thyroid hormones then you may gain weight.

The thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating your body’s metabolism and a thyroid disorder occurs when there is hormonal imbalance.  With this, the body requires less energy and the excess energy is stored as sugar and fat deposits.  Like many thyroid sufferers, you may be eating less than the recommended daily calorie requirement yet you are still you are not losing weight.

Lack of energy, muscle cramps, depression, irritability and not being able to lose weight are common signs and symptoms for anyone with an underactive thyroid.  Gaining weight leads to fatigue that may make you too tired to exercise and improve your metabolism and burn calories.  If your activity is not increased, you may become very tired.  And this then can become an undesirable pattern or cycle.

It’s the opposite if you are suffering from an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.  Here, you can lose weight but find it difficult to gain any.  Trembling, difficulty of breathing or shortness of breath, insomnia and being over fatigue are among the common signs for this condition.

Consider consulting your doctor if you experience unexplainable weight gains and have your thyroid levels examined.  Thyroid hormone therapy may be given to you if you have an underactive thyroid.  Your doctor will monitor your progress from time to time.

Alternatively, try one of the many natural treatments available.  Losing weight will not be an issue once you have corrected your thyroid problem and you will have more energy for doing work.  Hormonal balance, proper metabolism and weight loss are then obtained.

I hope you found this article useful.  If you are suffering with an underactive thyroid and want to lose weight, try nature’s remedies first.