Published on Nov 23, 2022 | 1:39 PM
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Setting a weight loss goal for the New Year is important as it provides a tangible and motivating target, helping individuals establish a clear roadmap for healthier habits and lifestyle changes. It serves as a catalyst for self-improvement, fostering commitment and focus to achieve and maintain a desired weight, promoting overall well-being.
One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is weight loss. If you are planning to shed unwanted weight this year, there are some important factors to consider, including if a prescription for weight loss support can aid in reaching your goals and understanding the relationship between weight and your thyroid. Sugary holiday treats and time spent relaxing around the house make holiday weight very easy to gain. In fact, holiday weight is at the top of the list of reasons many are so motivated to lose weight in the new year.
There is another factor that can not only contribute to weight gain but also cause it to be incredibly difficult or impossible to lose: thyroid problems.
The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland located on the neck just above the collarbone, is often referred to as a “master gland.” That’s because the gland produces a variety of hormones, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
TSH affects all of the body’s organs, tissues, and cells and, therefore, influences critical functions, including heart rate, energy levels, and metabolism.
T4 and T3 are both thyroid hormones that can be found in the blood. Elevated or insufficient levels indicate thyroid dysfunction.
The American Thyroid Association estimates that as many as 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disorder currently, and more than 12% of people will develop a thyroid disorder in their lifetime.
When the thyroid produces insufficient hormone amounts, a person can experience forgetfulness, depression, fatigue, and unexplained weight gain. This condition is known as hypothyroidism.
When the thyroid produces excessive hormone amounts, a person can experience heart palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, and emotional instability. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Grave’s disease is an autoimmune condition that is a type of hyperthyroidism.
Left untreated, these imbalances in thyroid hormones can lead to other serious medical problems that can place your health at great risk.
Other types of thyroid disease include:
Most people developing or with thyroid disease are not aware they have it.
A healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, along with at least 90 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, are two ways to lose and manage weight. Staying on track with a consistent healthy diet and exercise is crucial to maintain a healthy weight and nutritional balance.
Proteins like beans, with healthy fats like avocado, nuts and seeds, and raw or steamed or roasted vegetables are all examples of healthy foods to include in your diet. Adequate hydration with water is absolutely essential. For these parameters and more, there have been several diets developed specifically to help live a healthy lifestyle, many have been covered in a blog titled "Call-On-Doc Focus: The Best Diets for Losing Weight in 2024."
After discussing your exercise goals with your doctor, begin your exercise program slowly. For example, if you plan to walk, gradually increase your distance, as well as the speed you walk each day or each week. Doing so can help you build goals at your own pace, also allowing you to build an exercise regimen personalized to your needs. In an article titled "Call-On-Doc Focus: The Best Exercises for Weight Loss in 2024," there are numerous workouts someone can implement to help lose weight.
Rehydrate and replace electrolytes lost through perspiration and listen to your body. This means not overdoing exercise but building stamina over time and resting when your body is telling you to.
Another important consideration is not to focus on weight loss. Instead, concentrate on optimizing overall health. Learn more through an article titled "Call-On-Doc Focus: How to Make the Most of your Weight Loss Medication."
However, if you’re doing everything to stay fit and lose weight but cannot seem to shed unwanted pounds even in the short term, there are additional options available to you. When diet and exercise are not enough, a consultation with an online provider can help provide you with supplementary tools and advice to aid your journey, including prescription medications that can support your weight loss goals. Also, your provider may recommend blood tests to identify whether your thyroid is functioning as it should.
TSH, T4, total T3, and free T3 blood tests are all available thyroid tests.
The TSH test is ideal for detecting general changes early, where T4 testing will show whether you are hypo- or hyperthyroid.
If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, the total T3 test will determine how high this hormone is in your body overall and is an indication of how active this gland is at the cellular level. Finally, free T3 will measure the amount of T3 hormone in the blood that is not bound to proteins and, therefore, is available for your body to use.
The treatment a doctor recommends will depend on the type of thyroid condition that’s been diagnosed, as well as your personal medical history.
Because the majority of thyroid conditions last a lifetime, long-term treatment of thyroid conditions will be necessary. This may be done with pharmaceuticals and bioidentical hormone therapy.
Surgery to remove the thyroid, as well as non-surgical ablation with radiation are also available. However, because the thyroid will be removed, it will be necessary to take lifelong medication, which will perform the functions in the body formerly completed by your thyroid.
Whether your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight or consume a healthier diet, or you are experiencing symptoms and want to get tested, Call-On-Doc board-certified doctors are ready to help.
All you need to do is submit a consultation with a Call-On-Doc provider online. Your visit will cover your medical history, current diet, and attempts at losing weight. If you are not experiencing issues with your thyroid and are having difficulty losing weight, a prescription such as Contrave or Plenity is an alternative option to aid in weight loss efforts.
Both Contrave and Plenity are offered from Call-On-Doc at 1/3 the cost of other online sources and are shipped to you monthly for free with a subscription plan.
Call-On-Doc providers are available 24/7. No appointments or insurance are needed and prescriptions are sent to your local pharmacy in less than 1-2 hours.
English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.
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