Obesity and hypothyroidism- common problem of developing countries

Hypothyroidism and obesity correlation

Obesity is very common problem in our society. Obesity arises from multiple factor, particularly hypothyroidism in many victims.

Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland or impaired internalization of thyroid hormone into cells where it actually functions.

Hypothyroidism is a condition associated with

·         weight gain,

·         inability to lose weight,

·         fatigue,

·         depression,

·         decreased libido, and

·         high cholesterol

Mechanism by which thyroid dysfunctions cause obesity:

Thyroid hormones are potent regulators of energy; they modulate the enzymes and fat synthesis. Hypothyroidism and obesity always co exists, because

 it deposits more musin to the skin and other organs.

 Secondly salt and water retention disturbs the cell function and swells up.

Increased body weight and deficient thyroid hormones in the blood feedbacks the pituitary to secrete more Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). In many case of sub acute Hypothyroidism, the case reports with high levels of cholesterol. Postpartum Thyroiditis occurs in few individuals with hyperthyroidism initially, in which they lose their weight and hypothyroidism follows with gain in weight in many individuals. Many women become obese after delivery, particularly after second baby.

Thyroid Dysfunction and Body Weight

Thyroid dysfunction is associated with changes in body weight and composition, body temperature, and total and resting energy expenditure independently of physical activity. Weight gain often develops after treatment of thyroid dysfunction.

Both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism is frequently associated with weight gain, decreased thermo genesis, and metabolic rate. It has been noted that small variations in serum TSH caused by minimal changes in L-T₄ dosage during replacement therapy are associated with significantly altered resting energy expenditure in hypothyroid patients. The clinical evidence that mild thyroid dysfunction is linked to significant changes in body weight and likely represents a risk factor for overweight and obesity.

When one is discussing the various causes of weight gain, thyroid gland dysfunciton ought to pop up into the conversation. Thyroid gland, essentially regulate the body’s metabolism. And metabolism determines the rate at which a person can burn calories and thus has the ultimate effect on one’s weight. If something goes wrong with the thyroid, a person can endure intense weight problems that can lead to a slue of other serious medical conditions.

Often thyroid disorders have subtle symptoms that only appear gradually and as a result, they are typically misdiagnosed. Someone may be struggling with obesity because their thyroid is dysfunctional and as a result, they have a severe energy imbalance they can’t control.

Thyroid Function in Obese Subjects

TSH levels are at the upper limit of the normal range or slightly increased in obese patients, are positively correlated with BMI. TSH seems to be positively related to the degree of obesity. A positive correlation has been identified between serum leptin and serum TSH levels in obese individuals which could reflect the positive association between TSH and BMI, the increase in TSH and leptin levels in severe obesity could result from the increased amount of fat. Thyroid hormone levels have been reported to be normal, increased, and decreased in obese patients.

A moderate increase in total T₃ or free T₃ (FT3) levels has been reported in obese subjects. Progressive fat accumulation was associated with a parallel increase in TSH and FT3 levels irrespective of insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters and a positive association has been reported between the FT3 to FT4 ratio and both waist circumference and BMI in obese patients.