.
Set delivery address
Change
Set delivery address
Change

Is my thyroid affecting my weight?

You may have heard of the thyroid, but do you know how important it really is?

10 November 2017
By Meg de Jong

Problems with the thyroid can include overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Read on to learn more about your thyroid and the impact it has on your weight

What is a thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. Its job is to regulate various metabolic processes throughout the body, which may sound simple, but when it comes down to it, thyroid hormones affect the function of virtually all the organs in the body.

Endocrinologist Professor Willie Mollentze explains that the thyroid gland produces two hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) in lesser amounts, and T4 (thyroxine) in greater amounts. These hormones often act together with other hormones secreted by the adrenal gland, and nerve endings. In adults thyroid hormones control metabolic activity by stimulating oxygen consumption (called calorigenic or heat-producing activity) in most tissues in the body. Thyroid hormones are also essential for normal menstrual cycles and fertility.

What are hyper- and hypothyroidism?

Disease may cause the thyroid to become overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism), explains Prof Mollentze.

Hyperthyroidism is often characterised by nervousness, tremor, weight loss, increased heat production (the individual cannot tolerate heat), heart palpitations, weight loss in spite of increased appetite, and excessive sweating. In the case of Graves disease, the eyes may become bulging and inflamed. Some individuals may become very emotional. Longstanding hyperthyroidism may also contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.

Hypothyroidism may lead to a gradual decline in mental activity, tiredness, weight gain, fluid retention, dry skin, feeling cold, constipation. The onset may be so gradual that the condition is only recognised at a late stage.

Is my thyroid affecting my weight?

Patients with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) often experience weight loss. The more overactive the thyroid is, the more likely weight loss is. In some cases, however, hyperthyroidism also causes increased appetite, and in these cases weight gain can occur. Most often, when hyperthyroidism is treated, patients will pick up any weight they lost in the hyperthyroid state. For those with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), the metabolism may slow down, which means that fewer calories are burnt, and a variety of fluid-retaining molecules accumulate in the skin and body (promoting water retention), resulting in weight gain. Some patients experience a small weight loss once their condition is treated, but in most cases, because hypothyroidism develops over a longer period, there is no significant weight loss once the condition is treated. The treatment for these conditions is a fixed daily dose of thyroid hormone. It takes around six weeks of treatment to achieve a new steady state. If you believe you may suffer from hyper- or hypothyroidism, speak to your GP about having your thyroid tested.

IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images