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Weight gain and fatigue. Could it be the thyroid gland?

The most important thing:

  • When is it important to pay attention to fatigue and weight gain?

  • What can cause weight gain and fatigue?

  • Changes in thyroid hormones as a cause of fatigue and weight gain.

  • What is the thyroid gland?

  • What can we do to improve thyroid gland function?

When everything is so fast-paced and stressful, we begin to notice that we feel increasingly exhausted. Meanwhile, losing weight becomes ever more difficult, and we can’t find a clear reason for the increase in our body weight. At times like these, we need to pay attention to our health. Taken together, these changes in your life may indicate serious health problems.

One of these is thyroid gland issues, which can lead to fatigue and difficulty controlling body weight. But don’t worry, there are ways to overcome these challenges. One of these is Sarita+, a product that supports thyroid health and works to boost energy and muscle strength.

Weight gain and fatigue – when it’s important to pay attention

You feel strangely exhausted, and at the same time your body weight is increasing – you’re probably wondering why this is happening and what’s causing it. It is important to pay attention, especially if these symptoms become more frequent and intensify over time. They can be the result of everyday stress and lack of sleep that we face every day. Sometimes these symptoms are a sign of something more serious. This is especially true if, despite a healthy diet and good sleep, you notice an increase in body weight and unusual fatigue.

Causes of weight gain and fatigue

Sometimes the reasons for weight gain and fatigue are caused by factors in our daily lives and by chronic conditions we already have. Some causes of fatigue and weight gain are not worrying but are part of our normal physiology. Here are some of the most common causes:

  • The use of medications such as corticosteroids, antihistamines and antidepressants can lead to weight gain and fatigue as side effects. 

  • Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur that can lead to fatigue and weight gain. Higher levels of progesterone, especially in the first trimester, can cause a feeling of exhaustion. Additionally, the body naturally stores more fat to support the growing foetus, which contributes to weight gain. However, it is important to monitor weight gain during pregnancy to ensure it remains within the normal range.

  • Menopause: It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and is often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue and weight gain. Fluctuating hormone levels, particularly of oestrogen and progesterone, can disrupt sleep and metabolism. This leads to fatigue and weight gain, especially around the abdomen. 

  • Mental health conditions: Weight gain and fatigue can also be caused by conditions that affect our mental health and sleep, such as depression. Depression is a mental health condition characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in life’s activities. Fatigue is a common symptom of depression. It is usually accompanied by changes in appetite and weight gain or loss. Depression can also disrupt sleep, which worsens the fatigue.

  • Insomnia: a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep or waking up during the night, which can lead to fatigue and weight gain. Sleep deprivation naturally causes daily fatigue, but it can also lead to appetite disorders. Impaired appetite regulation leads to excessive food consumption.

  • Chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are also a cause of weight gain and fatigue. Uncontrolled diabetes contributes to fatigue and weight gain. Insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, leads to high blood sugar levels and difficulty transporting glucose into cells for energy. As a result, the body can feel tired despite high blood sugar levels. Furthermore, insulin resistance can promote weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.

Sometimes weight gain and fatigue are not the only symptoms you notice. The appearance of other symptoms can indicate to you and your doctor the condition causing them. It is advisable to seek medical attention if, in addition to weight gain and fatigue, you also notice:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe fatigue that affects your everyday life
  • High temperature
  • Heart palpitations
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Rapid weight gain (more than 2 kg per week or less)
  • Sweating
  • Changes in vision

Reduced production of thyroid hormones

One of the most common causes of fatigue or general weakness and unexplained weight gain is reduced production of thyroid hormones. They are produced by the thyroid gland. If you suspect that your thyroid gland is underactive, it is recommended that you see a doctor who can request a thyroid test. If necessary, you will be prescribed replacement therapy with synthetic thyroid hormones. A product like Sarita+ can be added to the main therapy, contributing to thyroid health and helping to increase energy and muscle strength.

What is the thyroid gland?

To understand why the thyroid gland is a major factor in symptoms such as weight gain and fatigue, we need to know what it is and how it works. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck, around the trachea. 

  • The thyroid gland plays a key role in regulating many bodily functions. The thyroid gland functions as part of the body’s endocrine system, which consists of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions. The functioning of the thyroid gland is primarily controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which are located in the brain.

  • The main function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, the process by which the body converts food into energy. Thyroid hormones affect the rate at which cells use energy. They influence various physiological processes, including heart rate, digestion, temperature regulation, and the functioning of organs and tissues.

  • Thyroid hormones control the basal metabolic rate. This is the rate at which the body burns calories at rest. By increasing or decreasing this rate, thyroid hormones help regulate body weight and energy levels. Additionally, thyroid hormones are critical for proper growth and development, especially during foetal development and childhood. They play a vital role in brain development, bone growth, and the maturation of various organs and tissues.

Hypothyroidism – a cause of fatigue and weight gain

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive and produces fewer thyroid hormones. If it begins to have problems releasing thyroid hormones, the metabolism slows down. Most people know that a slow metabolism makes it harder to burn calories, but the effect goes beyond that. Metabolism determines how every cell in the body converts food into energy to function and survive. When your metabolism slows down, everything else slows down with it.

Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, which are also caused by a slow metabolism, include:

  • tiredness
  • Reduced tolerance to cold
  • filling
  • Constipation 
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High cholesterol
  • dry skin
  • Swelling of the face and ankles
  • changes in menstruation in women, etc.

How can we support our thyroid gland?

To improve our energy levels and manage excess weight, our thyroid gland must function normally to keep our metabolism active. Hypothyroidism requires commitment, targeted changes to dietary habits, physical activity and supplementation:

  • Follow a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat protein sources and healthy fats. Aim to include sources of iodine, selenium and zinc, which are essential nutrients for thyroid health.

  • Engage in regular physical activity to maintain your overall health. Exercise can help to boost your metabolism, improve your energy levels and alleviate the fatigue symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. Incorporate a combination of aerobic exercises (e.g., walking, cycling, swimming) and muscle-strengthening exercises to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and weight management.

  • Identify and address the sources of chronic stress in your life, whether they are related to work, relationships or other factors. Consider seeking support from a therapist if necessary. Prioritise getting enough sleep and establish a regular sleep schedule. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

  • Use high-quality products to support your thyroid gland. A good example is Sarita+, a product specifically designed to support individuals with hypothyroid conditions. Sarita+ contains a powerful formula with extracts of L-tyrosine, ashwagandha and ginseng, complemented by zinc, selenium and vitamin D. L-tyrosine is involved in the production of thyroid hormones. This makes it extremely important in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Ashwagandha extract helps to normalise thyroid hormones, while selenium, zinc, and vitamin D promote thyroid hormone metabolism. 

Ginseng extract has been added to the rich formula of Sarita+, which is a direct solution to the problem of weight gain and fatigue. Research shows that ginseng extract has a positive effect on weight loss, improves glucose and fatty acid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress [1]. Furthermore, it has properties that increase energy and reduce fatigue [2].

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CHZV:

Why do I feel tired, cold and am I putting on weight?

  • If you have these specific symptoms, your thyroid gland may not be functioning properly. Thyroid hormones normally stimulate metabolism, and most symptoms of hypothyroidism indicate a slowing of metabolic processes. Common symptoms may include fatigue, sluggishness, slight weight gain and intolerance to cold temperatures.

Can hypothyroidism be cured?

  • If you have already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is important to take your thyroid replacement hormones as directed by your doctor. There is no cure for hypothyroidism. However, the condition can be successfully managed with appropriate medication, lifestyle changes and the intake of nutrients important for thyroid function, such as those contained in Sarita+.

Will hypothyroidism lead to weight gain?

  • Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain. When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone (a condition known as hypothyroidism), it can slow the body’s metabolism. This reduced metabolic rate can lead to weight gain, even without changes in diet or exercise habits. Furthermore, hypothyroidism can also cause other symptoms such as fatigue, fluid retention, and increased sensitivity to cold, which can indirectly contribute to weight gain. However, it is important to note that not everyone with hypothyroidism will gain weight, and the degree of weight gain can vary from person to person.

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Sources:

References:

  1. Haralambia Ameranou, Adriana K. Kalliora, Aristia Joksari, The Efficacy of Panax ginseng in Obesity and Associated Metabolic Disorders, Pharmacological Research – Modern Chinese Medicine, Volume 1, 2021. Most studies agree that CRG reduces blood pressure in patients with prehypertension and hypertension, while the anti-lipidemic properties of CRG in humans are rather controversial. However, there are indications that the application of CRG limits lipid peroxidation, thereby regulating oxidative stress. There is very little data regarding the anti-inflammatory efficacy of CRG in obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, with some studies showing a reduction in CRP concentration. Regarding insulin resistance, although not entirely convincing, the data are promising. There are certain documents supporting the favourable impact of CRG on fasting blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects or patients with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes.
  1. Zhang G, Lu B, Wang E, Wang W, Li Z, Jiao L, Li H, Wu W. Panax ginseng improves physical recovery and energy utilisation in chronic fatigue in rats via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. Pharm Biol. 2023. The swimming time to exhaustion in rats with EE was significantly longer than in those without it. EE preserved the levels of muscle glycogen, hepatic glycogen, and blood glucose in the chronic state. Furthermore, EE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum triglycerides (1.24 ± 0.17, 1.29 ± 0.04 and 1.20 ± 0.21 versus 1.58 ± 0.13 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (1.64 ± 0.36, 1.70 ± 0.15 and 1.41 ± 0.19 versus 2.22 ± 0.19 mmol/L) compared with the model group. Regarding energy regulation, EEP had a positive effect on promoting the activities of ATPase and the relative protein expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

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