Recent research shows that the lower your TSH, the less you’re likely to weigh. How about that? For years, women have been told that since their thyroid blood tests are normal their thyroid system can’t explain why they’re having trouble losing weight. However, in 2005, an article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrine Metabolism titled “Small differences in thyroid function may be important for body mass index and the occurrence of obesity in the population” suggested that’s not necessarily so.
This study involved over 4000 people who had thyroid blood tests already in the normal range! Nevertheless, the researchers found that people tend to weigh more when their thyroid blood tests show that their thyroid function is on the slower side of normal rather than the faster side of normal. That is, when their TSH tests are higher and their Free T4 tests are lower they tend to weigh more. The difference on average between the heavier group and lighter group was on the order of 12 pounds! This supports what everyone knows intuitively: Of course thyroid function has a tremendous bearing on weight.
If you’re having trouble with your weight and your thyroid tests show that you’re closer to having thyroid function that is too slow than too fast, you may want to talk to your doctor about helping you get your thyroid system sped up some.
If you don’t have access to thyroid blood tests then you can simply check your body temperature which is the single best indicator of how fast your metabolism is running. A body temperature that runs less than 98.6 F is more than enough explanation for easy weight gain. Check this list of physicians in your area that may be able to help you with your body temperature.
Dear Dr. Wilson, I have Hashimoto’s and do not respond to T3 therapy. I tried this for two years and could not normalize. My doctor did everything your helpline advised. My temperature remains low. I have the MTHFR heterozygous mutation. I have to assume that this is what is causing my lack of response. I would appreciate any help from you. Thank you.
Helen Feldman
Sometimes people can have trouble getting their temperatures up if they have a toxic metal load. We have seen people’s temperatures go up just from having their amalgam fillings removed and receiving some heavy metal detoxification. Best :)