By Jarita Hagans, M.D.
A lot of people blame their thyroid if they gain weight or have trouble losing weight. Here's what you should know. The thyroid is a gland in your neck that affects a lot of bodily functions like:
How fast your heart beats.
How your stools are (can cause constipation or diarrhea).
Body temperature.
Metabolism (how your body burns calories). If your thyroid is not making enough hormones, you are considered hypothyroid. This can be random, due to a body stressor like illness, or due to a surgery to have all or part of your thyroid removed. Current evidence has shown that weight gain from the thyroid might be due to buildup of salt and water and not body fat. The weight caused by low thyroid hormone is typically not that much about 5-10 pounds. Also, being overweight can make your thyroid function low. That being said, the thyroid is an important player in how your body works. So, if you have concerns about your weight or your thyroid, please see your doctor. Your thyroid level, or TSH, is easily checked with a blood test. As always, we're available to help you at Zion Family Practice. Call (443) 513-2757 for an appointment.
About Dr. Jarita Hagans
Jarita Hagans, M.D. is a board-certified family physician, foodie, gardener and author. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. for undergraduate and medical school. Afterwards, she completed a surgery internship at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia.
Eastern Virginia Medical School at Portsmouth Family Medicine is where she received her Family Medicine training. After residency, she practiced medicine at a community clinic in post hurricane Katrina and developed a love for cooking, gardening and natural remedies. She is rolling those passions into an online meal prep business for busy professional women and owns Zion Family Practice office in Washington, DC.