Signs of Thyroid Dysfunction
A sluggish thyroid can affect your waistline by:
- Slowing down metabolism – Hypothyroidism can decrease metabolic rate by up to 40 percent, meaning you burn fewer calories at rest.
- Increasing fat storage – Low thyroid function can increase insulin resistance, making it easier to store fat, especially around the midsection.
- Fluid retention and bloating – Poor thyroid function disrupts electrolyte balance, causing water retention and puffiness.
- Muscle loss – A sluggish thyroid can slow down muscle repair and rebuilding, leading to a gradual decrease in muscle mass and fewer calories burned at rest.
- Chronic fatigue and cravings – When your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, your energy tanks, making it harder to stay active and resist sugar and carb cravings.
Medically many people get put on synthetic thyroid hormone called, Synthroid or the generic. Levothyroxine. But you may not be using it if you take certain supplements or other medications.
The most common cause of these absorption problems is other medications that block levothyroxine absorption. A literature review conducted by Liwanpo and Hershman found that iron supplements, sucralfates (ulcer medication), calcium carbonate (Tums, cheap calcium supplements), aluminum-containing antacids, cholestyramine (cholesterol meds that stop bile from working- not good), raloxifene (estorgen-like drug to perserve bone calcium but have mood side effects), and proton-pump inhibitors like Nexium and Prolecsec (heart burn meds that interfere with calcium and protein absorption- not good) all interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine aside from their talked about side effects. In 2025, the most common absorption problems with thyroid hormone are iron and calcium intake. Hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto thyroiditis is common in premenopausal women, as is iron deficiency, so the likelihood of having this absorption problem is common.
Other contributing factors include underlying malabsorption disorders. A literature review by Skelin and colleagues found that celiac disease, atrophic gastritis, lactose intolerance, and Helicobacter pylori infection can impair levothyroxine absorption. Diet also can play a key role in levothyroxine absorption, though this has been cited as an area requiring further research.
What Are the Current Recommendations for Levothyroxine Use?
Given that the absorption of levothyroxine is affected by diet and various medications, it is recommended that levothyroxine tablets be taken in the morning at least 30-60 minutes before eating or 3-4 hours after dinner. Levothyroxine should not be taken within 4 hours of medications such as iron, calcium, antacids, proton pump inhibitors, or bile acid sequestrants.
Pearls: Medications and supplements can reduce the absorption of levothyroxine, which manifests as an increase in TSH level in patients with hypothyroidism. It is essential to be working with a qualified Holistic doctor like Dr. D. Call and schedule a Nutrition Consultation to see if he can help you. 434-481-2012