Thyroid and Weight Loss - Module 7

1. What is the Thyroid Gland?

   • A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that releases hormones regulating metabolism, determining how efficiently the body converts food into energy.

2. Hypothyroidism: An Underactive Thyroid

   • When the thyroid is underactive, metabolism slows, resulting in less energy burned and potential weight gain.
   • Hypothyroidism often overlaps with PCOS, with about 60% of people with PCOS also experiencing thyroid issues.

3. Diagnosis Challenges for Hypothyroidism and PCOS

   • Both conditions share overlapping symptoms such as weight gain, hair loss, cycle irregularities, and delayed ovulation.

4. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

   • Fatigue, lethargy
   • Feeling cold or being sensitive to cold
   • Hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin
   • Constipation
   • Sluggishness, slow heart rate
   • Sexual dysfunction and irregular uterine bleeding
   • Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
   • High cholesterol levels
   • Irritability

5. Accurate Diagnosis: Importance of a Complete Thyroid Panel

   • Essential labs include:
     • TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
     • T4 and Free T4
     • T3 (the more active form of thyroid hormone)
     • TPO and TG antibodies (to check for autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)

6. Treatment for Hypothyroidism

   • Hormone replacement therapy (e.g., levothyroxine) is used to restore thyroid hormone levels.
   • Treatment goals include lowering TSH to optimal levels and ensuring the body can efficiently absorb thyroid hormones into cells for proper metabolic function.

Managing thyroid health is important, especially for individuals with PCOS, as addressing both conditions can help reduce symptoms and improve well-being.