Overweight Hashimoto. How to lose weight?

The thyroid gland is a very important organ, responsible for about 30 percent of the resting metabolic rate. With a deficiency of thyroid hormones, energy from food can be stored in the form of adipose tissue. When this happens, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition is already a small path to being overweight and obese.

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is Hashimoto’s disease. Estimated affects 800,000 Polish women and men - 10 times more women than men.

Hashimoto, overweight and obesity - what’s the connection?

According to laboratory standards, the normal concentration of TSH in a healthy person should be in the range of 0.23–4.0 μIU / ml. According to many researchers, TSH values ​​exceeding 2.5 μIU / ml increase the risk of obesity in patients, as well as its complications in the form of metabolic syndrome.

“However, it is impossible to unambiguously determine whether thyroid disorders contribute to obesity or vice versa, whether obesity influences changes in the economy of thyroid hormones,” explains dietitian Martha Skoccheni. Both mechanisms must be taken into account, and it must be taken into account that weight loss will lead to an improvement in thyroid hormone levels, and an improvement in thyroid hormone levels will lead to weight loss.

The expert claims that if we take care of the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and its proper nutrition - so that FT4 and FT3 are high enough - then weight loss will be a side effect. This mechanism can be compared to lubricating the chain on a bicycle. If the thyroid gland is properly nourished (like a lubricated chain), it will start to work better. And a better thyroid function leads to a more efficient metabolism and a better mood, which in turn leads to weight loss and a greater desire for physical activity. Conversely, lower test scores lead to poorer well-being. And when someone gets worse, there is no desire to play sports.

What is the diet for people with Hashimoto’s?

It should be noted that the diet for people with Hashimoto’s is very well balanced and rich in nutrients. It cannot be deficient and low-calorie, because this style of eating leads to a deficiency of minerals and vitamins. A common scenario is that patients follow a restrictive diet, resulting in hypothyroidism or worsening of existing thyroid conditions. Too much restriction can cause an increase in TSH, lower the metabolic rate, and also lead to an increase in cortisol. This affects the activity of deiodinase in the liver and reduces the level of T3 in the blood. And it is T3 that is the most metabolically active hormone.

The basis of the diet should be protein - at least 1 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight.. And if the patient is also struggling with anemia, iron deficiency or ferritin, then she will need more of this protein. The diet should be rich in various vitamins and minerals. This is important, for example. adequate supplementation of vitamin D3, omega-3 or magnesium.

“Even if a person wants to lose weight, it’s worth starting with a higher calorie content, which he will gradually reduce,” says M. Skoccheni.

Natural support for proper nutrition is black cumin oil, which protects cells from attacks of autoimmune diseases, and nettle juice. This, in turn, can help increase ferritin levels, which are often low in Hashimoto’s. Nettle juice is also beneficial for the hair loss that many people with Hashimoto’s have.

I have a Hashimoto - why am I bloated?

A person with Hashimoto’s may suddenly gain several kilograms of weight. Cause? Thyroid disorders are associated with other hormonal disorders that can also contribute to excessive water retention. Then women feel swollen and heavy, and their weight can increase up to 2-3 kilograms. Swelling of the face, as well as hands and fingers, feet and toes. Swelling is often a temporary condition when hormone levels are not up to par. It disappears when the patient regulates his hormones and changes his eating style.

- In this case, it is worth expanding the diagnosis with analyzes of such hormones as FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone. Thyroid disorders can affect the menstrual cycle, which can cause swelling and water retention before menstruation, adds M. Skocene.

In summary, a person with Hashimoto’s does not have to be obese. However, in order to lose weight, she should first normalize the thyroid gland, and only then focus on losing weight. Restrictive diets are excluded.