Thyroid Supplements

 The thyroid controls metabolism and when it is not working correctly, either because of an internal problem or the concurrence of obesity , it makes for big health problems.  

 Beyond a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, many overweight patients have trouble losing weight and working with their doctors to do it.  They feel that they are the reason that they overweight is simply a matter of willpower rather than a combination of factors.  Your doctor might suggest a healthier diet and exercise in order to get your weight down to a healthy number, but what he might realize is that you are also suffering with an underactive thyroid. 

Thyroid basics 

The thyroid gland takes the iodine we get from food, and from supplements, and converts it into two different, important hormones, T3 and T4.  These hormones are released into the bloodstream and control the metabolism of every part of the body.  We usually only associate metabolism with weight gain, but there is more to it than that.

While a “naturally” thin person is thought to have a quick metabolism; that actually just means that their thyroid gland produces enough hormones to keep up with their intake of food.  Their body can convert all or nearly all the food they consume into energy for living.  Of course, many people who eat whatever they want are also very physically active and have plenty of energy for doing whatever they want.

The whole thing is quite circular because a well-functioning thyroid produces an energetic person.  A person with an underactive thyroid will have much less energy, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which causes weight gain.  Excess weight has an adverse affect on the thyroid gland and can throw off the amount of hormones that are produced.  That, in turn can cause more weight gain, further fatigue and a whole host of other symptoms for an overweight person to deal with. 

Hypothyroidism

A diagnosis of hypothyroidism is usually done with a simple blood test that checks for the levels of the T3 and T4 hormones in the blood.  Straightforward, it may be, but not everyone who is dealing with hypothyroid symptoms will show up on this blood test.  You could have every symptom of the condition and still have a reading the normal range for the hormone levels. 

Doctors often prescribe synthetic forms of the thyroid hormones for their patients with low levels, but supplements can help anyone who is suffering with the symptoms of an underactive thyroid.  You might be a good candidate for thyroid supplements if you have one or more of the following symptoms on a regular basis:

• Weight gain or inability to lose weight even when diet and exercise are changed.
• Fatigue, muscle weakness and cramping.
• Reduced sex drive or lack of interest in sex.
• Extreme hair loss.  Normal hair loss is around 100 hairs a day. 
• Irritability, memory loss and moodiness.
• Dry, colorless skin.
• Sensitivity to cold or being cold when no one else is.

This list of symptoms is long and encompasses several different areas.  Many people don’t even think to link them to one single cause unless their doctor connects the dots for them.  Hypothyroidism is often overlooked because people don’t report all their symptoms to their doctor and just go there looking for help with their weight. 

Thyroid supplements and Dietary Changes

The best way to weight loss is always through good old fashioned diet and exercise.  Diets come and go, but what works in the long run is making the lifestyle changes that really affect your habits and your metabolism.  Adding a good thyroid supplement to your new eating and exercise plan will really boost your efforts and you might see the first changes in your weight and other symptoms in years. 

What seems like a losing battle without the supplements can be a real success story once you have some thyroid support on your side.  You can also add certain foods to your diet that will complement the thyroid supplement.  These food thyroid boosters include:

• rapeseed
• cabbage
• brussels sprouts
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• sweet potatoes
• maize
• lima beans

These foods might not be part of your every day menus, but working them into your diet will definitely help the function of your thyroid gland and the production of hormones that help your metabolism and eventually help you lose weight.