Is My Holiday Weight Gain Related to My Thyroid?

Were the holidays ‘too good to you’? Did Santa leave some excess baggage? What are your plans to make your weight gain return to its pre-holiday level?

How do you know if your weight gain is caused by a slow thyroid or by hormonal imbalance?

Some common signs that weight gain is related to an underactive thyroid or hormonal imbalance are: cold intolerance, constipation, insomnia, dry skin, thin hair, PMS, and a general decrease in vitality.

Frequently, underactive thyroid will respond well to medications, botanicals and vitamins, but supplementation is not something that can be undertaken on your own because of the complexity of them. For example, at least five minerals are related to thyroid function: iodine, selenium, lithium, manganese, and boron. Then there are the vitamins, vitamin B-1, B-2, B6, and others that affect the thyroid gland, and even heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic can create problems for this master gland that controls so many body functions.

Now if you increase one of the vitamins or minerals without increasing others, you’ll create an imbalance. That’s why I always recommend that minimally, we run a laboratory serology for heavy metal toxicity and lack of essential elements. This will provide some objective evidence and your supplements can be customized.

But there’s a lot more to the thyroid picture. Are you exposed to high levels of phthalates, the chemicals that creates plastics? Phthalates can decrease function of the thyroid gland, especially if there’s already a low iodine level.

Can you see why self medication according to what someone says on the internet or what you read in a book can go wrong fast?

There are times when a low dose, time-released T3 therapy is appropriate; and times when it’s not.

One of the easiest way to get a handle on holiday weight gain is to simply evaluate your diet, then make minor changes. Easy-to-digest proteins such as chicken and fish are absolutely essential. Even grass-fed beef has its place; where else will you get sizable amounts of vitamin B12?

Keep your consumption of carbohydrates – the sweets, breads, potatoes, and rice – down to serving sizes about the size of your palm.

Don’t starve yourself for hours; it’s too easy to binge later. Avoid low blood sugar and you’ll avoid headaches, irritability, loss of concentration and focus, anger outbursts, gorging on cookies or ice cream, fatigue, and other symptoms that interfere with you putting your best foot forward all day long.

One fact many people don’t consider is that a diet high in soy can bind thyroid hormones and cause problems.

Did you know that you can monitor your body temperature when you wake in the morning, and record the readings for a one-week time period? Bring in your record to your doctor and he’ll use this data as well as other blood work-ups to interpret your thyroid status.

The basic good health principles of exercise, rest and stress reduction are crucial. Exercise is an important endocrine system regulator; thus, it’s good for your thyroid. That’s why, for example, diabetics can’t miss a day of exercise without feeling like they’re losing ground. So get some exercise!

Rest and stress reduction always increases your body’s rejuvenative power and shows up in how others perceive your vitality.

Have a safe, healthy, and happy New Year! Take care of your thyroid and it will take care of your holiday weight gain.

Dr. Bruce Sadilek is Medical Director of Integrative Medicine Center in Tucson, Arizona. He offers a range of services from thyroid management, hormone balancing, metabolic weight loss, hair restoration, skin care, nutritional services, and primary care medical services. See www.DrSadilek.com for more info about lab tests that give us information to create the foundation for your body to heal itself quickly. Call him at 520-297-9664 for more information.

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