Gaining weight is one of the major symptoms exhibited by the sufferers of the hypothyroidism condition. The weight gain is a result of a deficiency in the thyroid hormones that are required in the body for regulation of the metabolic processes and hence the normal physical and mental activities of the body.
When the thyroid gland fails to produce enough of the thyroid hormones, the metabolic processes are affected. In fact, the rate is substantially reduced. Reduction in the metabolic rate leads to weight gain and fatigue.
If the condition is not diagnosed early, the weight gain process continues and after some time the patient may start dealing with obesity, joint problems due to the excess weight on the joints, and infertility problems.
For a patient suffering from hypothyroidism, the weight gain is just the beginning of troubles because losing weight poses an even greater challenge.
Since the metabolic rate is down, the calories taken into the body are stocked easily due to incomplete metabolic processes.
A sufferer of the condition gains weight quickly and watching of weight for the patient should be prioritized. A low-calorie intake is unsafe either as it will cause health problems for you because of further decline of the metabolic rates.
The first step to dealing with weight gain is observing your diet keenly. A diet plan is vital in this step. The focus is the reduction of the weight gained while increasing the metabolic rates.
The protein ratio to the carbohydrate ratio should be optimally balanced to ensure that the effects of the weight gain as a result of the condition are reversed. Iodine is the most important mineral here and its uptake should not be affected.
The mineral, however, should be consumed in optimal quantities and therefore over-consumption or under-consumption should be discouraged.
The other step to dealing with the weight gain problem is exercising and reduction of stress. Have an exercise regimen that you should strictly adhere to. You do not need to exercise so vigorously, you can start slowly and with time adapt to more vigorous exercises. If you are not a gym person, you do not need to worry because you can work out at home.
Jogging and walking can also help you reduce weight. The number of calories taken should be closely monitored and the number burned during the exercises too. If you are burning more calories than you are gaining from the foods you are consuming then you are losing weight.
You can also seek medical treatment for the weight problem. However, any weight reduction drugs you take should be prescribed by the doctor as they may interfere with the hormonal treatment you may be receiving for the hypothyroid condition.
