Patients with hypothyroidism (underacting thyroid) often present with weight gain, while patients with hyperactive thyroid present with weight loss. The conventional approach is to provide thyroid hormone medications to help return thyroid levels to normal. However, many patients still experience persistent weight gain despite achieving normal thyroid levels with medications.
Why is this happening?
Weight gain despite having thyroid levels return back to normal has been an ongoing area of research for many years. One major finding has been that patients with hypothyroidism despite being treated with medication are more tired than their non-hypothyroid counterparts.
What we know from years of research in weight management is that tired patients cannot lose weight.
The more fatigued patients are the more they eat and the less they move. This means that although the thyroid metabolism has been fixed, energy levels don't, creating a major disadvantage for patients who have hypothyroidism.
In addition, patients with hypothyroidism are more likely to have overt bodily inflammation and insulin resistance which can create further barriers to weight loss.
Naturopathic doctors help patients lose weight by reducing the barriers to weight loss like low energy, inflammation, and insulin resistance, and improving nutrition profile to reduce appetite.
Are you interested in learning more about how we can help? Book your FREE 15 minute consult here to learn more
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