Losing weight is as simple as calories in vs. calories out… or is it? Many of our clients come to us because they feel they are already doing everything they’re supposed to, but they are not seeing changes in their physique. For some, attaining fitness goals might require addressing biological markers or hormones that are out of balance. These are often things we’re completely unaware of. This is a primary reason why our team of coaches encourages each of our clients to have a full blood panel done at least once per year.

While several hormones can influence one’s ability to lose or gain weight, we are going to focus on the thyroid. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland found in your neck. Your thyroid is primarily responsible for regulating your metabolism, or your body’s ability to turn food into energy. Individuals with a thyroid that is not functioning properly may struggle with an increased difficulty to lose or gain weight.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. Individuals with hyperthyroidism may experience symptoms such as:

• Weight loss
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Panic attacks characterized by nervousness, heart palpitations or increased heart rate, and excessive sweating
• Hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness
• Diarrhea
• Heat intolerance and warm skin

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause serious problems with your heart, bones, and muscles. For individuals with menstrual cycles, hyperthyroidism can result in irregular or light periods and fertility. For this reason, it’s important to consult with your doctor to find a treatment plan to address your thyroid hormone imbalance.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. The symptoms for hypothyroidism are notably opposite of those for an overactive thyroid. Symptoms include:

• Weight gain
• Fatigue, lethargy, sluggishness
• Slowed heart rate
• Dry or brittle skin, nails, and hair
• Sexual dysfunction
• Constipation
• Sensitivity to cold

Again, it is crucial to consult a doctor to formulate a treatment plan if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. If left untreated for an extended period of time, patients may experience issues in their peripheral nerves that carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. When this happens, individuals will notice numbness or tingling in their appendages.

Identifying Thyroid Function

If you read the list of symptoms above and are starting to self-diagnose, STOP. Many of the symptoms listed above can be completely normal and unrelated to your thyroid. Before changing your diet or exercise plan to address a potential thyroid issue, consider doing a blood panel. A comprehensive panel will include each of these markers:

• TSH: The thyroid stimulating hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. This hormone is what triggers your thyroid to start producing T3 and T4.
• T3: this hormone produced by the thyroid gland is often looked at to diagnose hyperthyroidism. Your test may include details on both your T3 and Free T3 levels. Without going too far into detail, your T3 is the total amount of this hormone you have in your body. This number counts both T3 that is binded with proteins and T3 that is floating free in the bloodstream.
• T4: similar to T3, your test may show results for both Free T4 and T4. Your Free T4 is what is circulating in your body and available for use, whereas any T4 that has bound with proteins is unable to enter your tissues.

Now that we have some basic terminology, let’s dive in a little further.

Low levels of TSH are often an indication that the thyroid is already producing more T3 and T4 than is necessary. Therefore, low levels of TSH are often associated with hyperthyroidism; an overactive thyroid gland. Similarly, high levels of TSH can be an indication that the thyroid gland is not producing enough T3 and T4. Low production of these hormones usually points toward hypothyroidism.

Testing Your Hormone Levels

Individuals who are concerned about their thyroid function should consult their doctor. Your primary care physician can order a blood panel for you and help you interpret the results. If you’re concerned about the cost of these labs, potential wait times for results, or your doctor pushing back, you can order bloodwork yourself! Fitbliss Fitness has partnered with Life Extension to empower individuals by making lab testing more accessible. Simply order their Weight Loss Panel and use code FITBLISS for 10% off! This puts you in charge of your bloodwork, allowing you to schedule at a convenient time and have full access to all your biomarkers and hormone levels.

Managing Thyroid Dysfunction with Diet

Under the supervision of a doctor or Registered Dietician, you can make small dietary changes that will assist your thyroid in reaching homeostasis. Suggestions for individuals with hyperthyroidism include avoiding foods that are high in iodine. Iodine is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. For this reason, reducing your iodine intake can be helpful for individuals with a hyperactive thyroid gland. Similarly, if you have an underperforming thyroid and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, increasing your iodine intake may be helpful in stimulating hormone production.

Reducing gluten can also be beneficial, as gluten may cause inflammation for certain individuals. The increased inflammation may impact your thyroid’s ability to regulate or produce hormones. If you choose to avoid gluten, look for wheat, barley, rye, and malt on the ingredient list of each food.

Lastly, while caffeine may not contribute to thyroid function, it may exacerbate symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Individuals who are sensitive to caffeine, experience anxiety or panic attacks, nervousness, or rapid heart rate should consider eliminating caffeine from their diet to make symptoms more manageable.

 

Thyroid dysfunction is more common than many realize. Living with and managing your thyroid disorder does not need to stand in the way of doing things you love or enjoying your favorite foods. If you’re looking for additional help in achieving your health or fitness goals, consider scheduling a consultation with a member of our team! You can fill out an application to meet with us here.