What is the relationship of thyroid disorders with weight gain or lack
We have glands all over our body, and the thyroid gland is one of these glands. It is a small organ in the front of the neck around the windpipe that secretes three hormones that help control many vital functions in the body. When it does not work properly, it affects the entire body.
When its disorder and the secretion of a lot of the hormone, you will develop hyperthyroidism , and if the hormone becomes secreted less than required, you will develop hypothyroidism, which in turn leads to weight gain .
What is the function of the thyroid gland
The thyroid gland secretes three hormones, T3 thyroxine , which controls metabolism, and T4 triiodothyronine , which is important because it affects heart rate, body temperature, growth, and metabolism, and calcitonin . Which helps bone formation and regulates blood levels calciumThe secretion of these three hormones naturally makes the body healthier and converts the food you eat into energy naturally. If there is a deficiency disorder or activity, your body’s burning level of energy will change, your muscles will weaken, your hair will decrease, and it will affect the regularity of your heartbeat.
Hyperthyroidism
It is the condition of the thyroid gland secreting more hormones into your body than you need, which results in an acceleration of the metabolism, causing:
- fast heartbeat
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- anxiety
- Osteoporosis
Hypothyroidism
It is the condition of the thyroid gland secreting too few hormones into the body, less than what the body needs, which results in slowed down metabolism and affects the whole body and becomes life-threatening if it becomes severe and causes:
- Low body temperature
- Anemia
- heart failure
- And in strong cases coma
- Weight gain
Causes of thyroid disorder
Thyroid disorder can affect both sexes, but it is more common in women and there are different factors that cause thyroid disorder
- Family history of this disease
- An overactive thyroid gland due to consuming too much iodine
- Hypothyroidism due to low iodine intake
- Old age, especially those over sixty years old
- pregnancy
- Graves’ disease
- thyroiditis;
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
In most cases, symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly and include symptoms
- feeling tired
- Numbness in the hands
- Constipation
- overweight
- muscle weakness
- Inability to tolerate cold temperatures
- Frequent and heavy menstruation in women
- Forgetting
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
There are many symptoms that indicate an active thyroid gland, and the patient may suffer from some of these symptoms without others, and he may have all of the symptoms:
- palpitations
- nervousness
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- diarrhea
- blurred vision
- Dull complexion
- Changes in the menstrual cycle in women
- excessive sweating
- hair loss
- muscle weakness
The difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism means that the gland does not produce enough hormone, but in an overactive thyroid gland, the gland produces too much hormone. This hormone affects metabolism, so it becomes either fast in the state of activity or slow in the state of insufficiency, and people who suffer from hypothyroidism cannot tolerate cold, but those who suffer from thyroid activity do not tolerate heat.
How do I keep my thyroid healthy?
- Iodine intake: Iodine is very important for the health of the thyroid gland and the production of the three hormones. Iodine is found in seaweed, dairy products and seafood.
- Do not eat cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower without cooking : eating them without cooking can impede iodine absorption.
- Eat a handful of nutsEspecially Brazil nuts, due to the presence of selenium in them, which is considered one of the powerful antioxidants and protects the gland from stress. Selenium is also found in fish, garlic, eggs, onions, and butter. (See: nut product guide
- Avoid starving yourself: Diets based on starving the body cause an imbalance in the body’s glands and hormones, which also makes the body reduce the metabolism process, To avoid this, eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy sources of protein, drink plenty of water, cut back on sugar, and get plenty of rest.