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Is it true that thyroid patients, even if now normal, have to work twice as hard as non-thyroid patients to lose weight?

I've read in some places that thyroid patients have to work twice as hard as others to lose weight, especially if the initial response to medication didn't result in any straightforward loss. Is this true, and why is this so? I thought maybe it was something to do with the body responding to changes in hormone levels and getting used to the amount that's there - is that anywhere near the right answer?

Louise Diane Sopher 30

asked Jan 03, 2010 at 05:12AM in General Medicine

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Brendan C Francis MD 3,970Editor

answered Jan 04, 2010 at 09:30AM

If the thryroid gland in the neck produces too much of the thyroid hormones, the metabolic rate may increase and the person may lose weight. This is called hyperthyroidism.
If too little of the thyroid hormones are produced, the metabolic rate may decrease and the person becomes 'sluggish' and weight gain may occur.
After radio-iodine treatment and surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland, too little functioning thyroid gland may be left , and this may cause a decrease of the thyroid hormones and hence may lead to an increase inweight.
Weight gain includes many factors such as energy expenditure, diet, appetite, level of physical activity, mood, medicines, stimulants such as nicotine and coffee, many various hormones, genetics , amount and quality of sleep , environment and others.
Preventing weight gain may be the key. The person under the guidance of a health professional may have to adjust the diet and increase the level of physical activity. The body may have to adjust to the new 'metabolic' state.
A study in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigations below suggests that high thyroid ( thyrotoxicosis) patients who become euthyroid (normal) continue to gain weight within the first six months,

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18591881
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- Thanks,
  
  Do you know if there is anything to suggest that hypothyroid patients who become normal also continue to gain weight, or just don't lose it? I am hypothyroid myself and I know that there are many people with a similar question about why they struggle to lose the weight gained while they were hypothyroid despite a healthy diet and regular exercise.
  
  Louise Diane Sopher commented Jan 04, 2010 at 09:41AM
- Hypothyroidism tends to occur in females later in life, after fifty(50) years of age.Individuals tend to be over-weight/obese. Obesity makes the individuals at higher risk of developing insulin resistance. This means that it becomes harder for the body to absorb the sugars into the cells. This may lead to high blood glucose, and an increase in body fat storage around the abdomen. This tends to be hereditary. So preventive weight loss strategies should be implemented by a health professional. It is a struggle, I agree, but talk to a dietitian and physical trainer professional, along wit
  
  Brendan C Francis MD commented Jan 06, 2010 at 08:01AM
- along with your regular physician. Insulin resistance may increase your appetite and cravings for sugars and starches. This is a medpedia article on insulin resistance.
  http://wiki.medpedia.com/Insulin_Resistance
  
  Brendan C Francis MD commented Jan 06, 2010 at 08:05AM
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Liz Neves 40

answered Jan 04, 2010 at 11:23AM

Aside from severity, perhaps it also depends on the age at which one becomes hypothyroid. I was diagnosed at age 10 and have been taking synthroid for the last 23 years. I eat a healthful diet and am moderately active and I have not really had any trouble with weight.
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- Thanks, normally I would probably agree but I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago, aged 17 - and at that time I had no problems, and found that a little extra weight went when I became euthyroid. This time round though (after going down and then normal again) things are different. I wonder if that's because it takes time for the body to adjust (I'm guessing a flow of slow-fast-slow-fast hormones makes things difficult for it!) or if it's just due to other reasons or the way I responded in terms of activity while I was hypo.
  
  Louise Diane Sopher commented Jan 04, 2010 at 01:27PM

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Is it true that thyroid patients, even if now normal, have to work twice as hard as non-thyroid patients to lose weight?

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