Why does hypothyroidism cause weight gain?

The role of the thyroid in the body

The role of this gland is multiple and of crucial importance. It increases  metabolism  and regulates body temperature; manages the transformation of food, manages the use of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins by the organism as well as the energy production of the cells.

We can conclude that the thyroid has an essential role in relation to food as well as the synthesis of macronutrients: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins. Therefore, when the gland is no longer able to do its job, it can cause weight problems.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a  lack of thyroid hormones . The gland no longer produces enough. Consequently, your body functions in slow motion. Indeed, it no longer has this means of regulating energy, of digestion, of synthesis of micronutrients.

It is important to remember that this lack of thyroid hormones  affects the body’s entire regulatory system  and, therefore, the metabolism, which will suffer.

The causes of hypothyroidism

Why does hypothyroidism make you fat?

The main cause of this weight gain is the slowing of the metabolism . It is he who controls the energy expenditure, just like the thyroid hormones, and if he does not work any more, or badly, the expenditure will be less.
If you do not change your diet accordingly, or if you eat more than the recommended daily allowance, the surplus will be stored in fat cells – adipocytes – as an energy reserve, since the body does not use it. . This will, in the long term, lead to  weight gain .

Hypothyroidism will  prevent good energy expenditure.  It will also create problems with the  storage of nutrients , and even more of micronutrients. Carbohydrates – which have a role in the composition of cells – and lipids – which are their energy fuel – will no longer be eliminated normally by the body, which will store them. And this, even if your diet has not changed.