Thyroid Weight Loss Issues
Many people, from all walks of life, struggle with their weight. Obesity has turned into an epidemic, and millions of people are seriously overweight. Most cases are caused by overeating and poor activity habits, with the potential to be cured by exercise and a healthy diet. But due to medical issues, not all people can achieve lasting weight loss. One of the most common medical issues involves the thyroid gland.
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Function
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The thyroid gland is located in the front portion of the neck. The function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the various hormones that control an individual's metabolism. The gland has a role in controlling your energy level, the growth of your body's different types of tissue and how vitamins and hormones are used for everyday purposes. There are two main conditions that impact the thyroid gland, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism means that your body produces too much thyroid hormone, and hypothyroidism means your body produces too little.
Significance
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Hypothyroidism causes weight gain issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, suffering from hypothyroidism means that your metabolism and energy levels are lower than that of other people and that can contribute to the difficulty that your body will have in losing weight. Your food will not be digested properly, and the energy from that is not harnessed correctly for your body to use. Physical activity is hard to do because of the low levels of energy. Women and the elderly are more prone to suffer from hypothyroidism, leading them to have a difficult time with weight loss.
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Effects
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The effects of hypothyroidism are noticeable, if you know what to look for. EMedicineHealth states that typically the main symptoms are fatigue, body weakness, depression, memory loss and hair loss. Most people will recognize these symptoms if they suffer from the disease or if they know someone who does. There are other symptoms, but these are the most common.
Considerations
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Not all problems related to weight loss happen to be associated with a thyroid condition, says MedicineNet. Other factors can contribute to your problems including age, sex and level of activity. Before beginning any weight loss regimen, it is important to consult with your doctor in order to make sure your health is good enough to begin changing your diet and exercising. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, then the doctor will be able to offer you treatment.
Prevention/Solution
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If you suffer from hypothyroidism, Levothyroxine may be effective. It gives your body thyroid hormones to compensate for the deficiency. After several weeks of treatment, the change will be noticeable and you will see an improvement in your energy. Typically, most people will remain on the medicine for the rest of their life in order to keep their thyroid in check.
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