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Suggest Treatment For Excessive Weight Gain
Question: Hello,
I have hypothyroidism from 20 years and PCOS from 1.5 year. I am on Eltroxin 75 mcg and taking homeo medicine for PCOS. I am overweight (Height 5.1; weight - 70 kgs). Since 2 months I am struggling hard to reduce my weight with regular exercise (every day 1 hour) & diet (1500 cal per day). But I am not seeing any results. I read somewhere that it is very difficult to reduce weight if we have hypothyroidism. Is this true? Please let me know how I can reduce weight.
Regards
XXXX
I have hypothyroidism from 20 years and PCOS from 1.5 year. I am on Eltroxin 75 mcg and taking homeo medicine for PCOS. I am overweight (Height 5.1; weight - 70 kgs). Since 2 months I am struggling hard to reduce my weight with regular exercise (every day 1 hour) & diet (1500 cal per day). But I am not seeing any results. I read somewhere that it is very difficult to reduce weight if we have hypothyroidism. Is this true? Please let me know how I can reduce weight.
Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Thyroid PCOS
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your challenges with weight loss.
It is true that weight loss may become difficult to achieve when one has hypothyroidism but that is true only when the condition is not adequately treated.
If your Eltroxin dose is appropriate and your TSH and Free T4 are at goal then excess weight cannot be due to thyroid problems.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
Fasting Lipid profile (12 hours overnight fast)
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
IGF1
Midnight Salivary Cortisol
Prolactin
The above tests look for medical problems associated with excess body weight and PCOS.
There are uncommon conditions like Cushing's syndrome and Acromegaly that can cause weight gain too.
The two tests above ie IGF1 and Midnight Salivary Cortisol screen for these problems.
See if you can get to meet an endocrinologist to discuss weight related issues.
I see you are following low calorie diet but seeing a dietitian in-person to make an individualized diet plan is also helpful.
Having a vigorous exercise program comprising both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises is important to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Thyroid PCOS
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your challenges with weight loss.
It is true that weight loss may become difficult to achieve when one has hypothyroidism but that is true only when the condition is not adequately treated.
If your Eltroxin dose is appropriate and your TSH and Free T4 are at goal then excess weight cannot be due to thyroid problems.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
Fasting Lipid profile (12 hours overnight fast)
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
IGF1
Midnight Salivary Cortisol
Prolactin
The above tests look for medical problems associated with excess body weight and PCOS.
There are uncommon conditions like Cushing's syndrome and Acromegaly that can cause weight gain too.
The two tests above ie IGF1 and Midnight Salivary Cortisol screen for these problems.
See if you can get to meet an endocrinologist to discuss weight related issues.
I see you are following low calorie diet but seeing a dietitian in-person to make an individualized diet plan is also helpful.
Having a vigorous exercise program comprising both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises is important to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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