Will I Be Able to Lose Weight After Thyroid Surgery?
02/08/2010
Will I Be Able to Lose Weight After Thyroid Surgery?
By Susan Willis
The thyroid is an important gland for regulating cell growth
and metabolism in the body. This small gland is situated just
below the Adam's apple (or larynx) in the throat. It is somewhat
butterfly-shaped, consisting of two halves that are connected by
a small piece of tissue called an isthmus.
The job of the thyroid is to absorb iodine and then convert it
into two types of thyroid hormone: T3 and T4. These hormones are
released into the blood and travel to every cell in the body,
helping cells convert oxygen and calories to energy for use by
the body. This entire process is controlled by the pituitary
gland.
In the case of some people, the thyroid gland can become
diseased, causing it to not produce enough thyroid hormones so
needed by the body for its normal functioning. This is called
hypothyroidism. Alternatively, thyroid problems can lead to the
gland producing too much thyroid hormone, which is called
hyperthyroidism.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include excessive weight
gain, depressions, anxiety, hair loss and sexual dysfunction.
Weight gain is one of the problems because the body is less able
to metabolize energy and oxygen without the help of the thyroid
hormone.
Meanwhile, symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include heart
palpitations, inability to tolerate heat, breathlessness, and
trembling hand - among others. Excessive T3 and T4 hormone on
the blood can cause the body's cells to "speed up," making the
heart beat faster and causing related symptoms.
When serious thyroid issues arise, your doctor may recommend
that part or all of your thyroid be removed via surgery. Once
the surgery is complete, your thyroid will no longer be equipped
to produce the same amounts (or any) of thyroid hormone that it
did in the past. At this point, you may ask, "Will I be able to
lose weight after thyroid surgery?".
The answer is: yes, provided that you take the proper thyroid
supplement and otherwise live a healthy lifestyle. A supplement
is simply a synthetic thyroid hormone that is usually taken once
per day before or just after breakfast. The supplement will
provide you with the thyroid hormone your body needs.
If you have not already talked with your doctor about whether
you will need to take a thyroid supplement after surgery, be
sure to initiate the conversation yourself: taking
responsibility for one's own health is always the best policy.
If you are currently overweight due in part to a thyroid
problem, it is not the case that the pounds that you have been
gaining over the years will just start to shed off immediately.
That is because it can take some time for you and your doctor to
find the right thyroid supplement dosage (e.g., 125 micrograms,
etc.), which could take a matter of months. However, once the
right dosage mix is found, your thyroid hormone levels (T3 and
T4) will return to the normal, pre-thyroid condition, levels. At
that point, you will find it much easier to lose the pounds that
you want to lose.
Facing thyroid surgery can be a little bit scary, but in
actuality it is a common procedure that thousands of people
undergo safely every year. If your interest is in losing weight
after surgery, you will. Just give it time, take your thyroid
supplement, and live a healthy, active lifestyle.
About the Author: Get strategies for a speedier thyroid surgery
recovery at: http://www.squidoo.com/thyroid-surgery-recovery.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=480447&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
By Susan Willis
The thyroid is an important gland for regulating cell growth
and metabolism in the body. This small gland is situated just
below the Adam's apple (or larynx) in the throat. It is somewhat
butterfly-shaped, consisting of two halves that are connected by
a small piece of tissue called an isthmus.
The job of the thyroid is to absorb iodine and then convert it
into two types of thyroid hormone: T3 and T4. These hormones are
released into the blood and travel to every cell in the body,
helping cells convert oxygen and calories to energy for use by
the body. This entire process is controlled by the pituitary
gland.
In the case of some people, the thyroid gland can become
diseased, causing it to not produce enough thyroid hormones so
needed by the body for its normal functioning. This is called
hypothyroidism. Alternatively, thyroid problems can lead to the
gland producing too much thyroid hormone, which is called
hyperthyroidism.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include excessive weight
gain, depressions, anxiety, hair loss and sexual dysfunction.
Weight gain is one of the problems because the body is less able
to metabolize energy and oxygen without the help of the thyroid
hormone.
Meanwhile, symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include heart
palpitations, inability to tolerate heat, breathlessness, and
trembling hand - among others. Excessive T3 and T4 hormone on
the blood can cause the body's cells to "speed up," making the
heart beat faster and causing related symptoms.
When serious thyroid issues arise, your doctor may recommend
that part or all of your thyroid be removed via surgery. Once
the surgery is complete, your thyroid will no longer be equipped
to produce the same amounts (or any) of thyroid hormone that it
did in the past. At this point, you may ask, "Will I be able to
lose weight after thyroid surgery?".
The answer is: yes, provided that you take the proper thyroid
supplement and otherwise live a healthy lifestyle. A supplement
is simply a synthetic thyroid hormone that is usually taken once
per day before or just after breakfast. The supplement will
provide you with the thyroid hormone your body needs.
If you have not already talked with your doctor about whether
you will need to take a thyroid supplement after surgery, be
sure to initiate the conversation yourself: taking
responsibility for one's own health is always the best policy.
If you are currently overweight due in part to a thyroid
problem, it is not the case that the pounds that you have been
gaining over the years will just start to shed off immediately.
That is because it can take some time for you and your doctor to
find the right thyroid supplement dosage (e.g., 125 micrograms,
etc.), which could take a matter of months. However, once the
right dosage mix is found, your thyroid hormone levels (T3 and
T4) will return to the normal, pre-thyroid condition, levels. At
that point, you will find it much easier to lose the pounds that
you want to lose.
Facing thyroid surgery can be a little bit scary, but in
actuality it is a common procedure that thousands of people
undergo safely every year. If your interest is in losing weight
after surgery, you will. Just give it time, take your thyroid
supplement, and live a healthy, active lifestyle.
About the Author: Get strategies for a speedier thyroid surgery
recovery at: http://www.squidoo.com/thyroid-surgery-recovery.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=480447&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
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