Hypothyroidism
Unable to Lose Weight? Hypothyroidism May Be at Fault
Years ago, when somebody claimed their diet failed failed because of thyroid problems, many people scoffed and rolled their eyes. These people claimed they were not cheating on their diets, yet no one seemed to believe them. This caused a great deal of frustration for many people. Now we know that an underactive thyroid gland an very well be responsible for a person’s inability to lose weight. The thyroid gland releases thyroid hormones which help regulate the body’s ability to turn calories into energy. This condition is called hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism symptoms include all the symptoms you would expect in a person with a low metabolic rate. They include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, constipation, brittle hair, and dry skin. People with this condition literally don’t burn calories as fast as other people as their bodily functions are moving at a slower rate.
Fortunately, there has been a great deal of research done, and the condition is highly treatable with synthetic hormones. While this medication may have to be taken for life, people with an underactive thyroid no longer have to wonder why they can’t lose weight like everyone else.
About ten percent of the population suffers with an underactive thyroid, although most cases are mild and people may not even realize they are affected. The vast majority of these sufferers are women.