1.30.2007

Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?

Article Presented by:
DBA AdPro Media Sales, All Rights Reserved Written by: Kamau Austin


You might wonder if your thyroid is to blame for your excess weight. In fact there are a number of questions which require answers when the subject of thyroid disease arises. Some of the common questions you should seek answers to include:

  • Have you been to the doctor yet?
  • Will thyroid hormone treatments help you achieve your ideal weight?
  • Are there risks associated with thyroid treatments
  • Can herbal supplements help?

    This article will examine each of these questions in detail. In answering these questions we hope to enlighten you about the severity of thyroid disease as well as the potential treatments as well as the risks associated with these treatments.

    Have You Been to the Doctor Yet?

    The most important consideration when you are concerned about thyroid disease is when you are going to visit a doctor. A trip to the doctor to determine whether or not thyroid disease is present is extremely important and should be one of the first steps you take if you suspect thyroid disease. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, dry hair, dry skin, sensitivity to cold, heavy menstrual periods and constipation. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, sensitivity to heat, weight loss and moist palms.

    If you are experiencing several of these symptoms a trip to the doctor to discuss the possibility of thyroid disease is definitely warranted. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to determine whether or not thyroid disease in the form of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is present. Once the condition is diagnosed a treatment program can be designed to rectify the hormone levels and help you lose any excess weight caused by the condition.

    Will Thyroid Hormone Treatments Help You Achieve Your Ideal Weight?

    Whether you are suffering from hyperthyroidism and a loss of weight or hypothyroidism and a weight gain, you might wonder if thyroid hormone treatment can help you to achieve your ideal weight. This is a rather difficult question to answer because the subject of weight and thyroid function is rather complicated.

    The American Thyroid Association discusses the subject of using thyroid hormones for the purpose of weight loss in the following statement, "Thyroid hormones have been used as a weight loss tool in the past. Many studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone treatment can help produce more weight loss than can be achieved by dieting alone. However, once the excess thyroid hormone is stopped, the excess weight loss is usually regained." This statement alludes to the use of thyroid hormone to stimulate weight loss but also implies weight gain is likely to follow when the treatment ends. If you are considering hormone treatments for the purpose of losing weight you should be aware that the hormone treatments will likely only reduce the amount of weight caused by the hormonal imbalance. Any additional weight will require a diet and exercise program to eliminate the excess weight.

    Are There Risks Associated with Thyroid Treatments

    There are risks associated with just about any treatment plans and thyroid treatments are no exception. One risk which must always be considered is overcorrection of the problem. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, or a lack of thyroid hormone, your treatment could cause the opposite condition. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism, or excessive thyroid hormone. The American Thyroid Association explains additional risks by stating, "Furthermore, there may be significant negative consequences from the use of thyroid hormone to help with weight loss, such as the loss of muscle protein in addition to any loss of body fat. Pushing the thyroid hormone dose to cause thyroid hormone levels to be elevated is unlikely to significantly change weight and may result in other metabolic problems."

    Can Herbal Supplements Help?

    You might wonder if there are herbal supplements which can assist you in obtaining your weight loss goals by regulating the amount of thyroid hormone in your system. There are herbal supplements such as Thyvox which can be used for this purpose. Visiting the following website will help you to learn more about Thyvox and how you can use it to achieve your weight loss goals: www.Thyvox.com. It is important to carefully review this website and other sources to learn as much as you can about the supplement before you make the decision to start using it.


    About the Author:
    Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.

    This article is provided by the vTeam, Kamau Austin Publisher. Visit Health and Fitness Vitality and the Fit After Forty blog at... http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com for more articles on how health is your greatest asset.


  •