Perform Thyroid Function Tests Before Trying to Lose Weight

The hormone in the human body that is primary in the governance of metabolic rate is the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is largely responsible for determining the metabolic rate of your body. This is vitally important to those of us that are attempting to lose weight.

It is of the utmost importance that you have your thyroid functions thoroughly tested prior to embarking on a weight loss program. If your thyroid gland is not functioning properly and you have a deficiency of thyroid hormone, you will find it extremely difficult to lose weight because your basal metabolic rate will be so low that your body will utilize calories very sparingly.

In order to quickly lose weight it is imperative that your thyroid is functioning adequately. This is a common problem afflicting people that are chronically overweight. A standard way of comparing the metabolic rate of different individuals is to measure their basal metabolic rate. This is the rate at which the body breaks down stored energy when the person is in an alert but resting condition and has fasted for 12 hours. The direct measurement of the basal metabolic rate is made with the person in a small chamber that has sensors in the walls that can measure heat liberated from the body.
An indirect method is based on the measurement of the rate of oxygen uptake in respiration because the rate of release of energy from food is quantitatively related to oxygen consumption.

The thyroid hormones are of particular importance in regulating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and in long term adaptation to stress and, including prolonged exposure to cold. This is why it is imperative that you have your thryroid function tests performed prior to starting a weight loss program.

The major form of thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is thyroxine ( T4). Much of the secreted T4 is converted by the liver and kidneys to a more active form, triodothyronine(T3), by removal of one iodine atom. Most of the actions of iodine are caused by T3 rather than T4. The major effect of thyroid hormones is to alter enzyme systems that affect metabolic rate. Thyroid hormones potentiate the action of many other hormones. Thyroid hormone secretion is required for normal growth and development, especially that of the central nervous system.

Release of thyroid hormone (T4) from the thyroid gland is governed by a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that is released from the pituitary gland. TSH levels are often used by doctors to determine if you have adequate thyroid hormone. If TSH is high then the physician can conclude that your level of thyroid hormone is low, because the pituitary gland is attempting to induce the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormone.

This is the bottom line. Get thyroid function tests done if you are overweight. You can’t lose weight if your thyroid isn’t functioning properly because it governs your metabolic rate. If your metabolic rate is slow, you won’t lose weight. This problem is easily correctible. The doctor can prescribe levothyroxine if your thyroid levels are low. This will have a very positive impact on your ability to lose weight.