Are you seemingly doing everything right yet not losing weight? I have the answers! You’re hitting your head against a brick wall; nothing seems to work. It hurts. Up to 15% of the population have a sluggish thyroid. It’s something that I repeatedly see in new clients – wanting to lose weight, but continually being disappointed. Is this you? While there are many reasons for this, one spreading factor is thyroid function. A sluggish thyroid might not sound like much, but the consequences can be enormous. There are ways to identify and fix the issue.
By the end of this article, you will learn:
- What the thyroid gland does
- The symptoms of low thyroid function
- How to find out if you have a sluggish thyroid
- If diet and lifestyle can impact on thyroid function
In our training programs, we believe in the transformation of the whole body and mind – not just focusing on weight loss. If you are dealing with an untreated thyroid issue, we can help you to increase your strength and optimise your diet. Thyroid issues need to be identified and treated for optimal transformations.
To understand why a healthy thyroid is so important, you need to know a bit more about what it is and what impact it can have.
What does the thyroid gland do?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that is at the base of your neck. It’s known as the master gland because it controls how fast your metabolism runs. If you feel you have a slow metabolism, this may very well be the reason, and you should see a doctor and get tested.
Symptoms of low thyroid function
If you have an under-active thyroid, there’s a number of signs and symptoms you might experience. These include:
- Inability to lose weight
- Slow weight gain despite not overeating
- Mood swings and depression
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Dry hair and cracking nails
- ‘Brain fog’
- Hair loss – the eyebrows is a common area
- Intolerance to cold
- Ongoing fatigue despite good sleep
- Low motivation
- Cramping muscles
- Tender or enlarged area around the thyroid
- Hormone irregularities
- Memory issues
- Poor concentration
- Unexplained joint pains
When you’re dealing with many of these symptoms, it’s no wonder why you struggle to lose weight, but there are ways to manage a thyroid condition.
How do you know if you have thyroid problems?
The most important step is to find out if it is your thyroid causing issues. There are a few ways to go about this.
The first is to consult your doctor. You need a full thyroid panel to fill you in with all the details which will include a T3 test which effectively IS your metabolism. Often doctors will only give one test (TSH). If you’d like to know how your metabolism is going, you need to ask specifically for a T3 test.
Once you know for sure that there is a problem, you can consult your doctor. From there, they will most likely refer you to a hormone specialist, or endocrinologist for treatment recommendations.
Does diet and lifestyle impact on thyroid function?
You might be waiting to find out the results of your thyroid test. But medication isn’t the only thing that can support healthy thyroid function.
Some nutrients, such as iodine and selenium, are essential for thyroid function. However, the average Australian diet can be deficient in these nutrients. By increasing your vegetable intake, you can support your thyroid naturally.
Exercise can also help with relief of symptoms such as fatigue, although you will need to monitor intensity, as very high concentrations can worsen the problem. It will contribute to maintaining your metabolism and keep your muscles from wasting.
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So if you think that your thyroid might be contributing to your weight problems, it’s important to:
- Look for the signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction
- See your doctor for further testing
- Take care of your well-being through a healthy diet and exercise regime
A sluggish thyroid doesn’t mean you’re doomed when it comes to your dream body. Our training can be adapted to help support your body’s abilities and reduce fatigue. I have had hypothyroidism for 20+ years; I understand what it feels like, I’ve beaten it. With the right nutrition, exercise program and mindset support, you can transform your body. Find out more about our upcoming Transformation Challenge here. Let us know you may have a sluggish thyroid, and we can go through a symptom checklist, refer you to an excellent doctor, and design an action plan.
References
https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article-lookup/doi/10.1210/er.2006-0043
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/485355
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/197994
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.12011/full
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521690X1300153X
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.12066/full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16380698