Hypothyroid, a Weight-Gaining Factor

By Michel Montignac

Hypothyroid is the result of a thyroid hormone deficiency. It causes our global body functions to slow down.

This pathology affects almost 10% of the people worldwide, particularly women aged from 30 to 60 years old, and it tends to increase with age. Menopause women seem particularly vulnerable to hypothyroid.

Hypothyroid develops gradually and its symptoms are varied: physical and intellectual asthenia, apathy, drowsiness, excessive chilliness, paleness, low libido and others. However, the most common symptom is weight gain which results from reduced restful energy consumption (basal metabolism.)

A simple biological exam, TSH dosage validated by a T4 dosage can diagnose this condition. Doctors prescribe a daily hormone substitute therapy based on levothyroxin; the treatment is for life.

The person recovers hormone balance within a three-week to three-month period and the most of the symptoms disappear. Energy expenditure, however, will never reach former levels and this is what can cause the person to continue putting on weight several months, and even years, later.  Weight gain can in some cases be a lifetime matter.

Experience shows that applying the principles of the Montignac Method can contribute to significantly reducing excess weight and preventing renewed weight gain.

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