Many of us have hypothyroidism and don’t even know it. Perhaps you’re among the 20% that have the underactive thyroid gland. This condition causes us to have fewer energy highs and lows than usual, and that gets reflected in our overall behavior. Sometimes it can feel like we have the mind of a child and the energy of a bull. Or conversely, you might feel like you can’t sleep at night because your mind is racing, and in the morning you feel exhausted even though you had a good night’s sleep. These are the sorts of things that would make a doctor diagnose you with hypothyroidism. Even if you don’t have all of these symptoms, it’s still something you should be aware of, and it can absolutely affect your day-to-day life. So let’s take a closer look at what hypothyroidism is and why you should care about it.
The Basics
To understand what hypothyroidism is, you need to know a little bit about how the thyroid gland works. This is the gland located at the base of the tongue that helps regulate the body’s metabolism, particularly in the first place. The thyroid gland produces hormones that stimulate the metabolism of all the cells in the body. This results in a wide range of positive effects, from helping with weight loss to improving mental performance. If you have hypothyroidism, then there’s a good chance that your body is not producing enough of these hormones, and that’s what’s causing you to be underweight. More on that in a bit. For now, just know that you have hypothyroidism if you have no control over your weight, and you experience mood changes, memory loss or concentration problems, and excessive sleepiness. Of course, these are all vague symptoms that your doctor can help diagnose you with more precision. But for the sake of simplicity, let’s use this as your guide to see if you have the condition.
The Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are both thyroid conditions, but they represent the two ends of the spectrum for the thyroid gland. If you have hyperthyroidism, then there’s a good chance that your thyroid is overactive. This condition is more commonly found in animals, especially dogs, but it can also be caused by an overactive pituitary gland due to head trauma or a tumor. In most people with hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive, resulting in too many hormones being produced. This can lead to a wide range of problems, from mild to severe. The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are restlessness, excessive heat, and a rapid heart rate. These are all the opposite of what you’d expect for someone with hypothyroidism. But regardless of the cause, hyperthyroidism presents a bit of a different picture than hypothyroidism.
The most important thing to remember about hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism is that they are both thyroid conditions, but only one represents the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. If you’re wondering which one you have, then you could try comparing your symptoms to those listed above or looking at the causes; if you have hyperthyroidism, then it’s likely that your thyroid gland is overactive, causing you to have more energy highs and lows than usual. On the other hand, if you have hypothyroidism, then it’s probable that your body is not producing enough thyroid hormone to keep up with its usual functions. You could also have a subclinical form of hypothyroidism where you actually have the symptoms but your doctor is unable to find the root cause. In any case, if you’re wondering which one you have, then it might be a good idea to consult with your doctor so that he can point out the specific symptoms that you have.
How Do I Lose Weight In The Case Of Hypothyroidism?
When we’re told that we have an underactive thyroid gland, it usually means that our bodies aren’t producing enough thyroid hormones. This can cause many problems, but one of the more noticeable ones is that we tend to lose hair and gain weight. It’s not that our hair is falling out, it’s just that our body is not maintaining an adequate amount of muscle, and the extra weight is showing up in the wrong places. A lot of us with hypothyroidism experience low self-esteem and a negative body image, but it’s not because we’re ugly, it’s because we don’t have enough hormones to properly function. This results in a number of undesirable effects, like extra weight, depression, and anxiety. Luckily, there are ways to reverse these effects. All we need is motivation and determination, and the right approach. One of the main causes of obesity in people with hypothyroidism is the simple fact that it takes more energy for your body to stay active than to sit still.
To lose weight in the case of hypothyroidism, you need to do a bit of research to uncover the reasons why you gain weight in the first place. You might find that it has something to do with your diet or heredity, and for the sake of your health, it’s worth finding out. If you’re struggling with weight loss and don’t know where to start, then it might be a good idea to consult with a nutritionist who can create a personalized diet plan for you.
Now, if you’re determined to lose weight for your health, then it’s important to note that it isn’t easy. We all want quick and easy ways to shed those extra pounds, but often these are the things that cause us the most problems in the long run. If you want to lose weight without risking your health, then be sure to reach out to your doctor for help so that he can prescribe you the right medicine. We all want to be our best selves, and in order to do that, it might take a little bit of effort. Regardless, here’s to you on your journey to healthier living.