Hypothyroidism, Metformin And Weight Loss

Hypothyroidism, Metformin And Weight Loss

Metformin, which is sold under the brand name Glucophage, is a medication for diabetes that can improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss by helping to lower glucose levels and prevent hunger. It works as an aid to lose weight, but may not be suitable for people with hypothyroidism, as it can interact with levothyroxine, thyroid hormone replacement, and lead to high blood glucose levels.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the throat, in front of your vocal cords. Being part of your endocrine system, the thyroid produces the hormones T4 and T3 that control the speed at which your body uses oxygen and energy, your metabolism. Low thyroid function leads to a slower metabolism, one of the first signs of hypothyroidism is weight gain. Other symptoms include brittle or weak nails and hair, fatigue and sensitivity to cold. Hypothyroidism is treated with complementary thyroid hormones, which your body can also convert to the T3 hormone. Rarely do you need to supplement both hormones. Levothyroxine, sold as Synthroid or Levoxyl, is the most common treatment and replaces the T4 hormone, increasing metabolism.

Weight loss and hypothyroidism

Until your hypothyroidism is controlled and your metabolic function returns to normal, it will be difficult for you to lose weight. It can take three months or more to find the correct dose of levothyroxine and the accumulation of enough thyroid hormone in your body. You can try to increase your metabolism, changing your body composition and increasing muscle mass. The more muscle tissue you have compared to fat, the higher your metabolism will be, and you will burn more calories, even at rest. Weight loss requires you to burn more calories than you consume, so your body breaks down stored fat for energy.

Metformin and levothyroxine

Metformin reduces the amount of glucose your body can absorb from the foods you eat while increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin. It is used by type 2 diabetics, people with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin and can not control the amount of glucose in the blood. Levothyroxine can affect blood sugar and cause hyperglycemia, high glucose levels. The Mayo Clinic warns that people with diabetes should pay close attention to glucose levels when levothyroxine is used. Because levothyroxine can affect metformin and make it less effective, these medications should not be used together.

Healthy weight loss

Losing weight with diabetes and hypothyroidism can be a challenge.The combination of a healthy diet reduced in calories and exercise should help you lose weight at a slow and steady pace, about 1 to 2 pounds (0, 45 to 1 kg) per week. Work with your doctor and nutritionist to find an eating plan that can help control diabetes and support the health of your thyroid. You need a deficit of 3500 calories to lose 1 pound (450 g) of body fat; reducing your caloric intake of 500 calories a day should result in the loss of one pound (450 g) per week.

Video Tutorial: Metformin Risk for Hypothyroid (low thyroid) Patients?.

Like This? Share With Friends: