How To Manage Your Thyroid Hormone Levels To Boost Metabolism
As discussed in previous articles, there are a lot of different ways to help boost your metabolism that people may not be aware of. Managing your thyroid hormone levels is one of them. If you want to improve your metabolic function, start practicing techniques that can regulate your thyroid levels.
The Importance of Your Thyroid
The thyroid is an important organ present at the front of your neck. It produces hormones that are crucial for different functions in your body. People who develop thyroid issues experience lower basal metabolic rates. This means they will face difficulty in losing weight and conserving energy. If you are facing lower thyroid levels, you need to practice ways to manage your thyroid hormone levels.
Your diet may be the best way to regulate your hormone levels and boost metabolism.
Eat Enough Calories and Incorporate Carbohydrates Into Your Diet
When you take a low-calorie diet, T3 (an important hormone that produces energy) the hormone levels decrease. Your liver converts T4, which is an inactive form of a thyroid hormone, into T3.
To lose weight while dieting, it’s vital to keep the levels of these hormones high. For this, opt for a diet that contains more carbohydrates. When you eat a balanced proportion of carbohydrates regularly, your body will balance thyroid levels.
But another argument is that thyroid level declines on a low carbohydrate low calorie diet. This is because when you start to consume a low carbohydrate diet, you eventually start eating less, leading to thyroid problems. So, eating enough calories daily can help you maintain thyroid hormone levels. Whether your diet includes carbohydrates or you’re opting for a Paleo diet, make sure to practice this tip.
If you are on a diet that strictly prohibits daily carbohydrate consumption, you can take them occasionally. Similarly, if you are on a carnivore diet or other such diets due to food intolerance, you still need to eat carbohydrates on a few days of the week for optimal thyroid function. In this case, you can opt for safe options like honey or grapefruit during summers.
Do Some Lab Testing and Get a Consultation
If you experience hypothyroidism or other thyroid issues, it’s better to get a lab test. The most common symptoms of this problem are brain fog, insomnia, fatigue, lower well-being, depression, poor skin quality, weight gain, inflammation, cold intolerance, and weakness.
Also, if you are on a diet with strict caloric restrictions, you may be at a higher risk. When you opt for lab tests, make sure to get a test of T3 and T4 along with a TSH test to get a better picture. Your doctor may also recommend you opt for tests that check vitamin D, DHEA, and cortisol levels to ensure that these problems are not interfering with your health. Once you get the results, you can make some amendments to your diet to boost your metabolism.
Even if you know some tips to balance your thyroid levels and boost metabolism, it’s still best to consult with a doctor if you suspect a real issue. Often, people face challenges when trying to raise thyroid levels to lose weight.
Lower thyroid hormone levels do not only disturb your metabolism but also lead to several other problems. These include fatigue, constipation, dry skin, muscle weakness, and weight gain. If you want to prevent these issues and improve your metabolic rate, try to consume a sufficient amount of calories in your diet. Add a balanced amount of carbohydrates to your meals to ensure the production of thyroid hormones.