How Your Thyroid Can Affect Your Weight

When it comes to weight fluctuations, many factors can come into play, from diet and exercise habits to stress management. While lifestyle choices like these are often the first focus when discussing changes in weight, there may be underlying causes that are easy to overlook. If your struggles with weight are accompanied by persistent fatigue, sudden mood changes, or irregular menstrual cycles, it could indicate that something more complex is at work behind the scenes. One major, often underestimated factor that plays a crucial role in these issues is the thyroid gland.

What is the thyroid – and how can it affect you?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the front and centre of your neck. It regulates your temperature, energy, mood, hormone production, water and salt balance, appetite, weight and more – any metabolic process is governed by the thyroid. When it’s out of sync, it can significantly impact your overall well-being. So it makes sense that weight is heavily affected by how well your thyroid is functioning, and understanding the thyroid’s role is key to addressing not just weight fluctuations, but also broader symptoms that might otherwise be dismissed.

How does it work?

It’s all about the hormones

Think of your thyroid like the engine of a car. When it’s working optimally, the car runs smoothly. The thyroid gland produces hormones (T3 and T4), and these hormones are like the petrol that powers your body’s engine (energy). Your body’s metabolism is like the speed at which your engine runs. If your thyroid gland is working well and producing the right amount of hormones, your metabolism is able to drive at a steady speed along the highway.

If your not producing enough hormones…

If your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones – in this case it’s known as hypothyroidism, or an under-active thyroid, it’s similar to not having enough petrol in the tank. This means your metabolism slows down, making you feel sluggish and fatigued, ultimately causing you to gain weight due to your body’s inability to effectively burn calories.

Or the flip side – too many.

The flip side of this is when your thyroid gland is producing too many hormones – known as hyperthyroidism, or an over-active thyroid. This is where your metabolism is on overdrive, speeding down the M1, making you feel anxious and jittery and potentially causing you to lose weight due to your body burning calories too quickly.

Achieving Optimal Thyroid Function

Optimal thyroid function is fundamental in maintaining good health as well as a healthy weight. If you’re suffering from an under or overactive thyroid and struggling to take control of your weight, give us a call on 4961 4075 – or book in online to talk with one of our expert naturopaths to gain support on your individual case. And don’t forget to check out our webpage on Thyroid conditions here for some more tips to support you on your health journey.