The thyroid may be a small part of your body, but the impact it can have on your weight is anything but trivial.

The thyroid is butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that produces thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy and affect nearly every organ in your body.

How an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) impacts weight

If your thyroid is underactive, not producing the right amount of thyroid hormones, it is known as a condition called hypothyroidism. Studies show that nearly 15 million Americans have hypothyroidism. However, up to 60% of those with a thyroid disorder are completely unaware of it.

When you have hypothyroidism, your metabolism (among other functions within the body) will be slower than average. Metabolism is how fast your cells turn nutrients into energy. The slower the process, the fewer calories you burn at rest and during activity. With a slow metabolism, more stored calories turn to fat tissue, leading to weight gain that can increase overtime.

Other symptoms of hypothyroidism

Besides weight gain, other symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• The inability to lose weight
• Increased sensitivity to the cold
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Dry skin, hair and nails
• Hair loss
• Muscle weakness and joint pain
• Menstrual problems
• Infertility
• Brain fog
• Low stress resistance
• Recurrent infections

As you can imagine, symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and depression could be exasperating weight gain, leading to a vicious cycle. When you’re exhausted, in pain, or feeling down you are less likely to get physical exercise, stick to a healthy diet, or practice self-care.

Could you be suffering from a thyroid or hormone related imbalance?

Take a free assessment, or schedule a free consultation!

What causes thyroid dysfunction?

Research estimates that up to 90 percent of all cases of hypothyroidism are autoimmune in nature, with the most common result being Hashimoto’s disease. When this happens, your thyroid is not the source of the problem, but the victim of a misguided immune system attack in which your body mistakes your thyroid for a virus.

Other causes include:

• Radioactive iodine (used to treat hyperthyroidism)
• Chronic Stress – Cortisol can inhibit or block proper thyroid hormone conversion, leaving you “thyroid resistant.”
• Certain medications (like lithium)
• Inflammation
• Estrogen dominance

Maria, shares how BeBalanced helped her lose 62 pounds and improve symptoms of Hashimoto’s.

“As someone who suffers from hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, losing weight was extremely difficult. It was very depressing. So much so that I even was considering bariatric surgery. Thankfully, there was another option – BeBalanced. On the BeBalanced program, I was able to lose 60 pounds but more importantly, I was able to lower my thyroid medication, and completely get off my blood pressure and diabetes medications! I now have so much more energy and the brain fog is gone. Thank you BeBalanced.” – Maria, BeBalanced client from our Collegeville, location.

Reverse hypothyroidism weight gain naturally

At BeBalanced, we have found that when insulin and cortisol levels are balanced through specific diet and lifestyle changes, while balancing sex hormones, the thyroid gland becomes much more efficient, lessening and even eliminating the need for medications.

Not only can this combination help you lose weight, but it will help you:

• reduce stress and inflammation,
• strengthen your immune system,
• and improve symptoms related to hypothyroidism such as depression, fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, and more!

If you suffer from thyroid dysfunction, or other hormone related issues, we can help!

To get started, take a free hormone assessment, or schedule a free consultation at any of our centers nationwide.

Konnie shares how BeBalanced helped her lose 42 pounds with Hypothyroidism!

“If you’re someone like me, who has tried everything to lose weight and the scale won’t budge, especially if you have thyroid issues, you know the struggle like I did. I tried everything, and nothing worked. Although my doctors told me this was something I would “have to deal with,” I wasn’t ready to give in to that theory, or give up. Since starting BeBalanced, I have lot 42 pounds, but more importantly, my joints no longer hurt, my hair isn’t falling out, I have my energy back, and I feel 20 years younger. ” – Konnie, BeBalanced client at our Annapolis, MD center.