Title: The Link Between Thyroid Hormones and Weight
Headings: The Relationship Between Thyroid Hormones, Metabolism, and Weight
The Relationship Between Thyroid Hormones, Metabolism, and Weight
How the Thyroid Gland Works
The Role of Metabolism
The Role of Thyroid Hormones
Research
Hypothyroidism and Weight
Weight Loss With Treatment
The More Medication Myth
Hyperthyroidism and Weight
The Weight Loss Challenge
Low T3 Levels
Hormone Resistance
Leptin Resistance
Insulin Resistance
A Word From Verywell

Content: Once your hormone levels are within the normal range, you may lose a small amount of weight that mainly consists of the extra water and salt your body has built up. However, weight gain has multiple factors and yours is more than likely not all due to your thyroid's slowdown. One way to tell is if treatment has helped all of your other thyroid symptoms but not your weight. This indicates that your thyroid very likely isn't the only factor behind your gain. The More Medication Myth
You may have heard that thyroid hormones can be used to lose weight, even in people without thyroid disease. While synthetic thyroid hormones have been used this way in the past, research has shown that most people gain all the weight back once they stop using them. 5 ﻿ Worse, being on thyroid hormones unnecessarily can result in serious side effects. For people who are already using levothyroxine, increasing the dose above what's needed can lead to more weight loss, but it's usually not significant and those pounds are often gained back once the dose is decreased again. This is also an unhealthy way to lose weight as an increased dose is also associated with adverse reactions, including heart issues, insomnia, headaches, menstrual irregularities and skin rash. 6 ﻿
Are You Taking Too Much Thyroid Medication?