Having Trouble Losing the Last Five Pounds?

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

If you are like many women, you may find that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t lose the last five pounds you need to meet your weight loss goals. For many women, the root of this problem may be a condition known as hypothyroidism. This condition is characterized by a decreased basal metabolic rate (BMR). This means the amount of calories required for the body to sustain life in a state of rest is lower than the BMR of a woman with a thyroid which is functioning properly.

Have Your Thyroid Tested

If you have been exercising regularly, following a healthy diet and taking other measures to lose weight without seeing results, you might want to consider having your thyroid tested to determine if it is functioning properly. This is important because, according to the American Thyroid Association, “It has been appreciated for a very long time that there is a complex relationship between thyroid disease, body weight and metabolism. Thyroid hormone regulates metabolism in both animals and humans.”

The test for thyroid function is rather simple, minimally invasive and it doesn’t take long to obtain results. In most cases, your doctor will examine your thyroid visually and manually to determine if the gland appears to be an abnormal size. Additionally, the doctor will also draw a small amount of blood for testing in the laboratory. The blood is tested to determine the quantity of thyroid hormones in the blood. An excess of the hormone may indicate hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, while a deficiency of the hormone may indicate hypothyroidism, an under-active thyroid. Hypothyroidism is most commonly linked to weight gain.

The Good News about Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain

If you have your thyroid tested and are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, there is some good news. Most importantly, the condition is treatable and your doctor can prescribe a treatment plan that should help you regulate the amount of thyroid hormone in your body. Once the hormone levels are regulated, you should be able to shed the last few pounds your body has been maintaining.

The other good news associated with weight gain and hypothyroidism is that the amount of weight typically gained as a direct result of hypothyroidism is minimal and is more likely associated with salt and water retention than fat. According to the American Thyroid Association, “The cause of the weight gain in hypothyroid individuals is also complex and not always related to excess fat accumulation. Most of the extra weight gained in hypothyroid individuals is due to excess accumulation of salt and water. Massive weight gain is rarely associated with hypothyroidism. In general 5-10 pounds of body weight may be attributed to the thyroid depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism.” This means the amount of weight which will be stubborn and difficult to shed due to thyroid deficiency is not a lot of weight. Additionally, the weight will likely be lost with minimal effort once the hormone is regulated because it is usually just water rather than accumulated fat.

Treating Hypothyroidism with Herbal Supplements

If you suspect an under-active thyroid is the root of your inability to lose the last few pounds, visit your doctor. This is important because it is critical to carefully diagnose the function of the thyroid. It is also important to seek a doctor’s input, even if the thyroid is not at fault, because they can help you establish an exercise regimen and diet plan that can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

You should also consult your physician if you intend to use herbal supplements to help achieve your weight loss goals. Supplements such as Thyvox can be useful for some women seeking to lose weight. You can learn more about Thyvox from the following web address: www.Thyvox.com. If your doctor is not familiar with the substance, it may be worthwhile to do some research on your own and seek out a dietician who can provide you with more insight into the use of herbal supplements such as Thyvox.