How to Lose Weight with Thyroid Issues – The Healthy Way

Many people suffer with thyroid issues. Technically this is from a condition known as hypothyroidism, which means their body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. When this happens, the body slows metabolism and causes weight gain. You may be wondering how to lose weight with thyroid issues the healthy and safe way.

If you’re struggling with weight problems, you may be suffering from hypothyroidism. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what hypothyroidism is, why it occurs, and how to treat it naturally.

What is Hypothyroidism?


How to lose weight with thyroid issues

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder, affecting one in every four women and one in every 200 men. It’s also the leading cause of under-active thyroid (hypo-thyroid) in the United States.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms:

The first sign of hypothyroidism is often fatigue, which can lead to feeling tired all day long. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, depression, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, muscle cramps, memory problems, and difficulty sleeping. However, before starting any new diets, consult your doctor first.

Can you lose weight if you have hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism affects approximately 1% of the population. However, many people who experience symptoms of hypothyroidism do not receive treatment because they believe they are overweight.

However, there are several natural remedies for hypothyroidism that help reduce weight. These include eating foods rich in iodine, drinking green tea, taking supplements, and exercising regularly.

How does Hypothyroidism affect my weight?

According to the Mayo Clinic, hypothyroidism causes your body to hold on to extra water, which makes you feel bloated and tired. You might also notice increased hunger levels, mood swings, and hair loss.

If you have hypothyroid disease, you may need to take medication or undergo surgery to treat the condition. But before you make any changes to your diet or exercise routine, talk to your doctor about how to manage your condition naturally.

10 Tips on How to Lose Weight with Thyroid Issues


How to lose weight with thyroid issues

Thyroid hormones are the main regulators of metabolism, and they play a vital role in your body’s ability to burn fat. When you have an under active thyroid gland, it can cause you to gain weight because your body is not able to use energy efficiently.

This means that even though you may be eating less than usual, your body will store more calories as

fat. In addition, when your thyroid isn’t working properly, you could also experience muscle loss, fatigue, and depression.

Below are 10 tips you can implement on how to lose weight with thyroid issues:

1. Eat Foods Rich in Iodine

Iodine is one of the minerals found in seafood, such as cod liver oil, oysters, tuna, and halibut. Eating these types of fish helps increase your intake of iodine, which improves thyroid function.

2. Drink Green Tea Daily

Green tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols, which boost metabolism and improve thyroid health. Drinking two cups of green tea daily can help decrease your risk of developing hypothyroidism by up to 50%.

3. Take Supplements

Supplements like selenium, zinc, and vitamin B12 can help restore normal thyroid function. Selenium is especially beneficial for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It helps prevent miscarriage and birth defects.

4. Exercise Regularly

Exercise boosts your metabolism and burns calories at a faster rate. According to the American Heart Association, regular aerobic exercise can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.

5. Reduce Stress

Stress can lead to weight gain due to decreased thyroid hormone production. The adrenal glands produce stress hormones during times of high stress. If you are experiencing extreme stress, try talking to someone you trust.

6. Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol can interfere with your thyroid function, causing you to retain more water and making you feel sluggish.

7. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep can help you maintain a healthy weight. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

8. Quit Smoking

Smoking lowers your immune system, making you prone to illness. Quitting smoking can help you avoid complications from hypothyroidism.

9. Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes eating a balanced diet, getting adequate rest, and staying active.

10. Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if you think you have hypothyroidism. He or she will be able to diagnose the problem based on symptoms and recommend treatments accordingly.

Which exercise is best for thyroid health?


how to lose weight with thyroid issues

The following list shows what type of exercises are recommended for people with hypothyroidism. These exercises are also helpful for those who want to reduce their body fat percentage.

  • Swimming
  • Jogging
  • Cycling
  • Walking
  • Yoga
  • Running
  • Biking

Out of all of these exercises, we believe that Swimming is the best exercise for overall thyroid health because it does not require much effort and provides many benefits. You can swim anywhere, anytime, and do not need special equipment. Also, swimming is great for toning muscles, increasing bone density, improving cardiovascular fitness, and reducing stress levels.

You may also want to get a fitness tracker and do some walking exercises. If you can walk 10,000 steps a day, that would really help with your exercise routine. Especially if you do not have access to a swimming pool. You can see what the top rated fitness tracker is here.

What foods should you eat with Hypothyroidism?


How to lose weight with thyroid issues

If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain and depression. If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is important to take care of yourself and follow a healthy diet. Here are some tips on how to eat well while treating hypothyroidism:

1. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

2. Choose lean meats over fatty ones.

3. Include whole grains in your diet.

4. Drink lots of water.

5. Limit alcohol consumption.

6. Try to stay away from processed food.

7. Stay away from sugar-sweetened drinks.

8. Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.

It has also been said that a modified Keto diet can help with Hypothyroidism. Modified, meaning you should eat a generous amount of fruits and vegetables. A strict Keto diet excludes some higher sugar containing fruits and vegetable, so this is where the modified part comes in.

We highly encourage many fruits and vegetables in addition to the high protein and low carbohydrates. Stay away from things like pasta, bread and, of course, processed foods.

Final Thoughts on how to lose weight with thyroid issues


Thyroid disease is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While many people experience no symptoms, others may suffer from fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, depression, and other conditions.

The good news is that there are several natural remedies that can help treat these symptoms. In fact, some studies show that certain foods and herbs can actually improve thyroid function.

This means that if you’re suffering from thyroid problems, you can start eating healthier and exercising to see maximum results.

7 thoughts on “How to Lose Weight with Thyroid Issues – The Healthy Way”

  1. This is a very educational post. You certainly got my attention in a very interesting way and I wonder, ” How dangerous is this condition?” Seem like it affected women more than man, but men needed to be cautious just the same.

    I had heard of thyroid issues  before but really not in details as you mentioned. You have raised awareness to this condition and what I found interesting is the suggestions on how to control it. How to lose weight with thyroid issues are also very comforting to know.

    Excellent post and thanks for sharing. I am now armed with great information on thyroid issues.

    Best Regard!

    Reply
  2. This article gives out in-depth information about Hypothyroidism, to those suffering from this disease its a reminder of the guidelines and precautions needed to take in order to lose weight, it’s also an eye-opener to those who don’t have a clue about this particular disease, like how the author has clearly elaborated valuable information, hope we do share this particular article to enlighten the society about this disease.

    Reply
  3. Hi Ralph.

    I found your article very helpful. Thank you for sharing it.

    One of my best friends suffers from Hypothyroid, and she is overweight. The doctor gave her medication, but she refused to take them because she found them useless. Anyway, her dream is to lose weight, so I am sure she’ll love your article. 

    So it’s really possible to cure hypothyroid with exercising and healthy food? I ask this because many doctors suggest removing the thyroid when it’s on hypo. 

    It’s a little confusing:)

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hi Daniella, I am glad you found this post helpful. My wife has hypothyroidism and it took her a while to find the right medication. I would recommend to your friend to not ignore the medication, but she may want to look for a second, or even third Doctor’s opinion. Testing your thyroid levels regularly is very important and then taking the medication and continuing to see if it helps. The diet and exercise should be in addition to the medication based on thyroid levels that can easily be tested by a physician. Some folks have improved their thyroid levels through diet and exercise without medication, however, they still need to test it regularly and adjust accordingly. 

      Reply
  4. I did not know that this condition exists, this thyroid issue sounds really serious but it is good to know that there is help. Diet and exercise play an important part in order to live a healthy lifestyle. It is so good to know that thyroid issues can also be solved with diet and exercise. This gives hope to those who are suffering from this issue.

    Reply
    • Hi Norman, and thanks for visiting my how to lose weight with thyroid issues post. Yes, exercise definitely play an important part of just about everything. Especially for those folks with thyroid issues. I do encourage anyone who has thyroid issues to check with their Doctor prior to making a commitment to a health and fitness program. 

      Reply

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