Could Your Weight Gain Be A Symptom Of Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease?
The most common type of thyroid disorder that I see is Hashimoto’s. This is in fact an autoimmune condition where your body is attacking itself. It occurs when inflammation in the body causes an uncontrolled immune response resulting in the body’s immune system attacking its own healthy tissues.
Since a low functioning thyroid causes general weight gain, the two are intimately linked. Low thyroid function is not easily detected or diagnosed in its early stages, although there are some signs (see below). Hypothyroidism, when left untreated, may contribute to weight gain as well as various other debilitating symptoms, and could lead to serious health problems. Quite often I see clients who are taking thyroxine (T4) but are still experiencing some or all of the symptoms listed below. If this is you, then we need to talk. Hashimoto’s often goes undetected by GPs, so I often recommend a comprehensive thyroid test panel to get the whole picture of what might be happening with a client’s thyroid health.
What Is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is a disorder in which the thyroid gland is attacked by the body’s own immune system. This may lead to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid, under persistent immune attack, is unable to provide enough hormones for the needs of the body. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that control the body’s metabolism, including how fast the body burns calories from food.
What Is an Autoimmune Disease?
Your immune system is your body’s defence against external and internal invaders that can cause harm to the body. Its function is to clearly distinguish between friendly and unfriendly invaders and to eliminate those that are a threat. When autoimmunity occurs, the immune system becomes dysfunctional. Instead of fighting an infection or allergen, your immune system becomes confused and directs a hostile attack on the joints, gut, skin, thyroid, brain and often against the entire body.
What Are the Symptoms?
You may not have all of these symptoms of Hashimoto’s, but eventually many of the following will become evident:
– Fatigue and poor stamina
– Weight gain
– Lower voice tone
– Depression
– Cold or hot feelings
– Dry skin and hair
– Symptoms of IBS, including constipation and diarrhea
– Anxiety,panic attacks, and inability to deal with stress
– Anemia
– Chest pains
– Brain fog (sluggish thinking, forgetfulness, lack of a zest for life)
– Exhaustion
– Graying hair, hair loss, weak brittle nails
– Low basal temperature, cold and heat intolerance
– Headaches, migraines, frequent colds or flu, slow recovery from infections
– Low libido, infertility, miscarriage, severe PMS
– Tenderness, muscle cramps, tired aching muscles
– Sleep disturbances
– Restless leg syndrome and ankle reflexes
– Slowed speech
– Severe weight gain
Less frequent symptoms include excess ear wax and increased blood pressure.
Some people struggle with an underactive thyroid for years.
If you are ready to make fixing your thyroid health a priority, I would love to work with you.
Please click the link here to book your free thyroid health check now.
