If you’re struggling to shed the pounds, you might be wondering about the signs your thyroid is making you gain weight. Sometimes it takes more than willpower to lose weight, and instead of fighting through it, you could be suffering from an underactive thyroid. The team at RCMC Medical Center offers medical weight loss programs, including hormone testing and replacement therapies to help you reach your health and wellness goals. Learn more about how the thyroid affects your weight and how to overcome imbalances.
How the Thyroid Affects Weight
Your thyroid plays an integral role in your metabolism and energy regulation. If your thyroid is underactive, it can slow down your calorie-burning capability. It doesn’t help that thyroid issues can also impact your energy, which dampens your ability to work out or stay as active as you would like. You might also experience symptoms of fluid retention and stubborn fat storage.
Common Weight-Related Signs of Thyroid Dysfunction
If you’re not sure if you’re struggling with thyroid problems, here are some of the most common weight-related signs of thyroid dysfunction.
- Unexplained or gradual weight gain
- Weight gain without major diet or activity changes
- Difficulty losing weight despite increased effort
- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Feeling tired even with adequate sleep
- Reduced motivation for physical activity
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s worth having your thyroid tested and exploring treatment.
Increased Sensitivity to Cold
Your thyroid can impact more than weight gain. An increased sensitivity to cold is another symptom that people often overlook. Do you feel cold when others are perfectly comfortable? You could be experiencing slower circulation that’s tied to metabolism changes, which can also show up with puffiness. Swelling in the face, hands, or ankles is also a sign you’re experiencing problems with fluid retention.
Other Symptoms That Often Appear Alongside Weight Gain
Weight gain is often at the forefront of our minds, but you are likely experiencing other symptoms of a low thyroid that include:
- Dry skin, brittle hair, or hair thinning
- Constipation or slower digestion
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes, including low mood or irritability
Your thyroid is a powerful organ that can quickly throw your entire body out of balance.
When to Consider Testing Your Thyroid
You may not think it’s worth testing your thyroid if you’ve been living with symptoms for this long. But failing to get help for your thyroid can impact your long-term health and well-being.
If you’re experiencing weight gain paired with multiple symptoms, it’s time to take action. A family history of thyroid conditions is also a strong indicator you could have a hormonal imbalance. Making a big change in your lifestyle, like a commitment to healthy eating and fitness, without the results is also a sign something is going on with your thyroid.
How Thyroid-Related Weight Gain Is Treated
If you suspect a thyroid problem, give us a call or book an appointment at RCMC Medical Center. Our medical providers evaluate what’s going on, run lab testing, and gather your feedback.
Depending on what’s going on with your weight gain, your symptoms, and your goals, we’ll customize a treatment plan that supports your hormone imbalance.
FAQs About Thyroid-Related Weight Gain
Can thyroid-related weight gain happen without changes in diet or exercise?
Thyroid-related weight gain can happen even if you keep a consistent, healthy diet and haven’t made any changes in your exercise routine. An underactive thyroid slows down your metabolism and reduces how efficiently your body uses energy.
Does thyroid-related weight gain affect where the body stores weight?
Thyroid-related weight gain often shows up as general weight gain and fluid retention. The first signs of weight gain typically show up around the midsection, face, and extremities and not just as isolated fat accumulation.
Can thyroid issues cause weight gain even if blood sugar levels are normal?
Your blood sugar levels, insulin, and glucose aren’t necessarily an indicator of weight loss problems. Instead, thyroid dysfunction impacts your metabolism independently of blood sugar regulation.
How quickly does weight change after thyroid treatment begins?
Weight changes will usually start occurring over a few weeks to months after you start appropriate thyroid treatment. Your hormone levels will gradually stabilize and your metabolic function will improve.
Is thyroid-related weight gain reversible?
Most of the time your thyroid hormone levels can change and be properly managed. Once your thyroid hormone levels are properly managed, some weight gain, especially related to fluid retention, will decrease. Our team at RCMC Medical Center will closely monitor your progress and make adjustments or offer additional treatment options and nutrition counseling as needed.
Call RCMC Medical Center for Thyroid Weight Gain Related Relief Today
If you’re ready to take control of your weight, it’s time to explore thyroid testing and treatment options. Contact the team at RCMC Medical Center for a research-backed, empathetic approach to weight loss and thyroid treatment options. Schedule your appointment today!