How much weight gain is normal with hypothyroidism?

About half of people with hypothyroidism experience some weight gain. Most people usually gain only 5 to 10 pounds; however, some women can gain more, especially if the hypothyroidism is severe. While most of the weight gain is mainly increased salt and water retention, some of it can be due to increased fat gain.

Why am I gaining weight so fast with hypothyroidism?

The hormones your thyroid gland releases help regulate your metabolism, or how efficiently your body burns food for energy. When your thyroid makes less of its hormones — as it does in hypothyroidism — your metabolism slows down. So you won't burn off calories as quickly and you'll gain weight.

How much weight can thyroid make you gain?

Slowly, over time, your underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain — anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds or more. Most of the extra weight is due to water and salt. Because an underactive thyroid can be tricky to diagnose, you should talk to your doctor if you are gaining weight for no apparent reason.

How do you know if weight gain is due to thyroid?

An unexplained change in weight is one of the most common signs of a thyroid disorder. Weight gain may signal low levels of thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism. In contrast, if the thyroid produces more hormones than the body needs, you may lose weight unexpectedly. This is known as hyperthyroidism.

Can you prevent weight gain with hypothyroidism?

Following a diet rich in nutritious foods can help improve overall health and promote healthy body weight maintenance. Plus, a nutrient-dense diet can help reduce the risk of health conditions linked with hypothyroidism like heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes ( 47 , 48 , 49 ).

How Your Thyroid Impacts Your Weight

How do you stay skinny with hypothyroidism?

Is thyroid weight gain reversible?

Many studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone treatment can help produce more weight loss than can be achieved by dieting alone. However, once the excess thyroid hormone is stopped, the excess weight loss is usually regained.

Will I lose weight on levothyroxine?

In most cases, levothyroxine causes some weight loss. According to the American Thyroid Association, when this medication is started, you may lose up to 10% of your weight. This weight is mainly water weight, since being hypothyroid makes you retain water. Levothyroxine is a medication to treat hypothyroidism.

Does levothyroxine cause weight gain?

In some cases, Synthroid may lead to weight gain. This is because the drug can increase your appetite, which may make you eat more food than usual. It's also possible for you to gain weight if your dose of Synthroid isn't high enough for your body's needs.

Why is it hard to lose weight with hypothyroidism?

If you have hypothyroidism, your body will produce lower levels of thyroid hormones, which will slow your metabolism and cause you to burn calories at a slower rate. A combination of these factors causes weight gain in hypothyroidism, and it is often more noticeable in those with severe symptoms.

How fast do you lose weight on thyroid medicine?

Generally, people begin to notice weight loss about three to six months after hitting a therapeutic dose of their medication. People lose about five to ten pounds on thyroid medication or less than 10% of their body weight.

Does hypothyroidism cause belly fat?

Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body.

What do your hands look like if you have hypothyroidism?

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism can show up in the hands and nails. Hypothyroidism can cause dermatologic findings such as nail infection, vertical white ridges on the nails, nail splitting, brittle nails, slow nail growth, and nails lifting up.

How do you speed up your metabolism if you have hypothyroidism?

Can a low TSH cause weight gain?

This also means that not producing enough thyroid hormone is usually associated with a low basal metabolic rate. Therefore, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause weight gain.

Why am I gaining weight while taking thyroid medication?

Both weight gain and weight loss are possible side effects. Many people do not take the right dosage of levothyroxine, and both undertreatment and overtreatment can have an effect on weight. Levothyroxine weight gain may be tied to undertreatment, according to the ATA.

Does levothyroxine speed up your metabolism?

The most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone is called levothyroxine (Synthroid®), but there are others available. Thyroid hormones increase the body's metabolism which may cause weight loss.

Is Synthroid better than levothyroxine?

As previously mentioned, one version isn't technically better than the other. Both generic levothyroxine and Synthroid should work equally well for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It's just not ideal to switch back and forth between different products, unless you're directed to do so.

Will I lose weight once I start taking thyroid medication for hypothyroidism?

“These patients (and sometimes their physicians) often assume the hypothyroidism is causing the obesity even though this may not be the case. This study is important because it shows, unfortunately, that only about half of hypothyroid patients lose weight after the successful treatment of their hypothyroidism.

What is the downside to taking levothyroxine?

Common side effects of levothyroxine include heat intolerance, a fast heart rate, and diarrhea. More serious levothyroxine side effects are also possible. If you experience side effects like tremors or mood changes, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

How do you know if levothyroxine is working?

Before you start taking levothyroxine, your doctor will do a blood test. Once you start taking the medicine you'll have regular blood tests to see how well it's working.

Does levothyroxine give you energy?

Where daily hormone replacements tablets, such as levothyroxine, are prescribed for an underactive thyroid, symptoms including fatigue should gradually begin to disappear. Similarly, patients receiving anti-thyroid drugs for an overactive thyroid should begin to see an improvement in their energy levels.

Does Synthroid cause weight gain?

This may lead to weight gain. If you notice weight gain while taking Synthroid, talk with your doctor. They may want to order blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels.

How do you get rid of bloating from hypothyroidism?

Is intermittent fasting good for hypothyroidism?

Intermittent fasting can potentially help with hypothyroidism and does not present the typical problems of calorie-reduced diets. Nevertheless, you should approach intermittent fasting carefully with hypothyroidism. Start with a mild form of intermittent fasting, such as 12/12 fasting, and eat three meals per day.