How Hypothyroidism Causes Weight Gain

What is Hypothyroidism?

The thyroid gland is responsible for the release of the hormones controlling our metabolism.  When the thyroid gland does not function as it is supposed to be, there becomes a hormonal imbalance.  It can be due to a deficiency or an excess of hormone production.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone, thus, causing imbalance.  On the other hand, hyperthyroidism, from the word itself, is when the thyroid gland excretes more than enough thyroid hormone, thus, still causing imbalance.  It has been always been said that too little or too much of something is not in any way good for our body.

Most Common Causes

Here are some of the most common causes for hypothyroidism:

1. Iodine deficiency – This has been cited to be the most common culprit for causing hypothyroidism.

2. Thyroid gland inflammation – Inflammation damages the thyroid cells, thus, interfering with its natural capacity of hormone production.

3. Hashimoto's thyroiditis – An autoimmune disease where one's own immune system attacks the thyroid gland.  This results to inflammation, damaging the thyroid cells and interfering with the thyroid's functions that later leads to an underactive thyroid gland.