Hashimoto’s and Weight Loss: The Keys to Losing Weight with Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland.
It causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, leading to an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is weight gain.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and want to lose weight, it’s important to understand the role of your thyroid gland and how it affects weight loss.
Written by
- Redaction Team
- May 25, 2023
- Body, Hashimoto, Personal Development
Table of Contents
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Carlos Opinion abut losing weight when Hashimoto
Since my childhood, I didn’t had a really good diet that eventually led me to be a fat kid.
I ate lots of chips and junk food, and could also be considered under the range of an obese kid.
As I was a teenager, I had a little bit more focus on self-care and having a healty weight, which eventually led me to start going to the gym and excercise.
Nevertheless, I was still a bit over weight, but I didn’t fully focused on having a really fit body.
So over the time of college, I was sometimes higher than my usual weight, but for me it was relatively easy to have a stable weight.
As I was labeled with Hashimoto, I still had a good weight according to my height.
For experience, I have heard that plenty of people with thyroid disease can blame the thyroid as the cause weight gain, and in my opinion, it should not be enterly be that the case.
There are multiple factors that can have an impact on a person’s goal to lose weight, and the thyroid gland might just be one part of the puzzle, but not the entire reason.
When I was living in Germany, and I already was labeled as Hashimoto, I can actually say that my best “fit year” yet was in 2019.
And even in that year, I was still having some foods that contain gluten, but I had a really intense physical routine where I spent at least 2-3 hours daily at the gym.
I usually had HIIT trainings followed by weights excercises, which eventually did helped me to be more fit than usual.
But as time passed, and I had more Hashimoto and health complications due to a lack of proper treatment, which started by eliminating gluten, lead me to not being able to cope with my physical excercise demand.
As I started to focus more on balancing my health, I also have not focused yet back again to be in really good shape.
In 2022, I was already feeling way better from my unbalanced 2020, but still far from that optimal 2019 physical shape.
The situation where I am working at the moment in 2023 is to have a proper diet that can keep myself without any Hashimoto Flare-up, and also a level of excercise that don’t exceed my body’ stress.
As my recommendation to those who are seeking to loss weight with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto, is to firstly find your autoimmune triggering foods and build up a proper diet with enough protein that can help your body to build muscle.
As well, I could recommend that finding an optimal level of excercise that can help you to build muscle but without pushing yourself to the limit to bring up a Hashimoto Flareup.
And I would recommend to avoid thinking on a gastric bypass surgery, as you can read more on that article.
What is Hashimoto's and how does it affect weight loss?
Understanding the thyroid gland and its role in metabolism
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, which is the process by which your body converts food into energy.
The thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, are important for regulating your body’s metabolic rate.
When your thyroid gland is underactive, your metabolic rate slows down.
This means that your body burns fewer calories at rest, which can lead to weight gain if you consume more calories than your body uses.
How an underactive thyroid can lead to weight gain
An underactive thyroid can lead to weight gain in several ways. Firstly, when your metabolic rate slows down, your body burns fewer calories at rest, making it easier to gain weight.
Secondly, an underactive thyroid can cause water retention, leading to a bloated and heavy feeling.
Thirdly, it can cause fatigue and muscle weakness, making it harder to be physically active and burn calories.
The connection between thyroid hormone and weight loss
Thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in weight loss. It regulates your metabolic rate, which is the rate at which your body burns calories.
When your metabolic rate is high, your body burns more calories at rest, making it easier to lose weight.
However, when your thyroid hormone levels are low, your metabolic rate slows down, making it harder to lose weight.
Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your thyroid hormone levels are within the normal range for optimal weight loss.
Can thyroid medication help with weight loss?
The benefits and limitations of thyroid medication for weight loss
Thyroid medication can help with weight loss by restoring normal thyroid hormone levels in the body.
This can increase metabolic rate and help you lose weight.
However, while thyroid medication can be effective for weight loss, it’s important to note that it’s not a magic pill.
You still need to make lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to see significant weight loss results.
It is important to know when to start treatment for Hashimoto so that you can have your ysmptoms under remission.
How to work with your doctor to optimize your thyroid medication for weight loss
If you’re taking thyroid medication and still struggling to lose weight, it’s important to work with your doctor to optimize your medication dosage and brand, plus still find for other factors that are affecting you.
Your doctor can monitor your thyroid hormone levels and adjust your medication dosage accordingly.
In some cases, switching to a different type of thyroid medication can also be beneficial for weight loss.
Cautions and potential side effects of thyroid medication for weight loss
While thyroid medication can be effective for weight loss, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. Taking too much thyroid medication can lead to hyperthyroidism, which can cause symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety.
Therefore, it’s important to take your medication as prescribed and follow up regularly with your doctor.
What diets are best for weight loss with Hashimoto's?
The anti-inflammatory diet and its benefits for autoimmune disease and weight loss
The anti-inflammatory diet is a diet that focuses on reducing inflammation in the body.
It includes foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
This diet has been shown to be beneficial for autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s, as well as for weight loss.
By reducing inflammation in the body, it can help improve thyroid function and promote weight loss.
The AIP diet: a more strict approach for those with autoimmune disease
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is a more strict version of the anti-inflammatory diet.
It eliminates foods that are known to contribute to inflammation, such as grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods.
This diet is recommended for those with autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s because it can help reduce inflammation and improve thyroid function.
The role of a gluten-free diet in thyroid health and weight loss
There is a connection between celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and Hashimoto’s disease.
People with Hashimoto’s disease are more likely to have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, which can contribute to inflammation and thyroid dysfunction.
Therefore, a gluten-free diet may be beneficial for those with Hashimoto’s disease who want to lose weight.
What lifestyle changes can help with weight loss?
The importance of regular exercise for weight loss and thyroid function
Regular exercise is important for weight loss and thyroid function.
Exercise can boost your metabolic rate, burn calories, and improve thyroid function.
Aerobic exercise like jogging, cycling, or swimming can be effective for weight loss, while resistance training like weight lifting can help build muscle mass and improve metabolism.
Stress reduction techniques and their impact on weight loss and thyroid function
Stress can have a negative impact on weight loss and thyroid function.
When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain.
Therefore, it’s important to practice stress reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to help reduce stress levels and promote weight loss.
The role of sleep and proper rest in weight loss and thyroid function
Adequate sleep and rest are important for weight loss and thyroid function. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased cortisol levels, which can contribute to weight gain.
Therefore, it’s important to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and to prioritize rest and relaxation.
What else should you consider for weight loss with Hashimoto's?
The connection between gut health and thyroid function for weight loss
There is a connection between gut health and thyroid function.
Poor gut health can contribute to inflammation and thyroid dysfunction, which can make it harder to lose weight.
Therefore, it’s important to prioritize gut health by eating a healthy diet, taking probiotics, and avoiding antibiotics and other medications that can disrupt gut bacteria.
The impact of certain supplements and nutrients on thyroid function and weight loss
Certain supplements and nutrients can be beneficial for thyroid function and weight loss.
For example, iodine is an important nutrient for thyroid function, while selenium can help reduce inflammation and improve thyroid function.
It’s important to speak to your doctor before taking any supplements to ensure they are safe and effective.
The benefits and limitations of alternative therapies for thyroid function and weight loss
Alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and chiropractic care may be beneficial for thyroid function and weight loss.
However, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of these therapies and to ensure that you’re receiving treatment from a qualified practitioner.
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