Your thyroid is a small gland, normally weighing less than one ounce, located in the front of the neck. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in many foods, and convert it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3 and T4. T3 and T4 are then released into the blood stream and transported throughout the body where they control metabolism. Metabolism is the conversion of oxygen and calories to energy. Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism.

The thyroid gland is under the control of the pituitary gland, a small gland the size of a peanut at the base of the brain. When the level of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) drops too low, the pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Under the influence of TSH, the thyroid will manufacture and secrete T3 and T4 thereby raising their blood levels. The pituitary senses this and responds by decreasing its TSH production. Think of the thyroid gland as a furnace and the pituitary gland as the thermostat.

Many hypothyroid patients struggle with an inability to lose weight. First you must determine if you are under treated for low thyroid. What hypothyroid patients need to know more about are several factors that are likely at work for many of us with difficulty losing weight. When your body is under stress, this interferes with the neurotransmitter functions, and is known to reduce the release of serotonin. Serotonin is what tells the body you’ve had enough carbohydrates, the primary source of food for conversion to energy. Next, your metabolism involves a complex network of hormones and enzymes that not only convert food into fuel but also affect how efficiently you burn that fuel. A sluggish metabolic rate can be viewed similar to low body temperature. The process of metabolism establishes the rate at which we burn our calories and, ultimately, how quickly we gain weight or how easily we lose it. Also, another factor affecting our difficulty to lose weight is insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas. Insulin resistance means that cells have become less responsive to the effects of insulin. High insulin levels, also called hyperinsulinism can stimulate your appetite, making you feel even hungrier than normal for carbohydrate-rich food. In addition, high insulin levels can also lower the amount of sugar your body burns as energy, and making your cells better at storing fat, and worse at removing fat. When you’re creating this excess insulin, it also prevents your body from using its stored fat for energy. Hence, your insulin response to excess carbohydrates causes you to gain weight, or difficulty in losing weight.

There are many symptoms of hypothyroidism including: fatigue, weakness, weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight, coarse or dry hair, dry and rough pale skin, hair loss, cold intolerance (you can’t tolerate cold temperatures like those around you), muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches, constipation, depression, irritability, memory loss, abnormal menstrual cycles, decreased libido, and more. The accepted normal measurements of TSH fall within the range of 0.3 and 3 mIU/mL. I believe you should be classified as subclinical hypothyroid if you struggle with any of the above symptoms, and TSH levels on the low end of the range. You’ll need to work on getting your thyroid to produce hormones at appropriate levels. Adjust your diet to one of low fat, low carbohydrate, and sufficient protein. This means that in addition to the usual restrictions of a low-fat diet and restricted complex carbohydrates, you also need to seriously limit intake of sugar and starches, cutting back on pasta, rice, potatoes, white flour breads, cereal, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, desserts, dairy products, meats, and fruit with a high sugar content. A simple, low impact exercise program is essential.

Currently I’m taking a blend of vitamins and supplements to support my thyroid, Omega 3 with EPA and DHA, chromium picolinate, selenium, vitamin D3, and more. I prefer not to take prescribed medications if possible. I routinely have my blood drawn and tested  to monitor my TSH and T3 levels.