December 2006

 I have Hashimoto's Disease and have been on thyroid hormone for 7 months now.  I'm finding it very hard to lose weight.  I've given much effort to food selections and exercising (jogging 10 miles/week).  After one month, I see very little change in the numbers on the scale and in my clothes.  Is this a lost cause???

Can Hashimotos Disease have a significant effect on not being able to lose weight?

I have hyperthyroid disease and I am in the treatment process now, so please provide me with a diet to follow, in order not to gain weight.

Thyroid hormone is one of a complex assortment of hormones and proteins that help to regulate body weight. In general, hypothyroidism causes the body’s metabolism to slow, resulting in a shift in the balance between calories eaten and energy used. Hypothyroid patients may also experience some fluid retention. The net result may be weight gain, usually of no more than 5-10 lbs. Hypothyroidism alone does not cause severe obesity.

After starting L-thyroxine treatment for hypothyroidism, patients may experience some weight loss that is usually modest and gradual.  Once thyroid hormone levels are normalized with L-thyroxine treatment, the ability to lose weight is no different than it is for anyone else. Some general suggestions about diet and exercise for weight loss can be found at www.diabetes.org/weightloss-and-exercise.jsp.