top of page
Hashimoto-Natural--logo
Book Your Hashimoto Clarity Session

Hashimoto's and Weight Gain: Why Is Losing Weight So Difficult?

Writer: Meryll Bettahar
Meryll Bettahar
5 days ago
7 min read

By Meryll Bettahar De Vos

Naturopath & Wellness Coach Specializing in Natural Support for Hashimoto's


You watch what you eat, you try to stay active… but the number on the scale doesn't go down. Sometimes, it even keeps going up.


I know this frustration very well. Living with Hashimoto's myself, I gained weight despite trying different diets, exercising, and doing everything I could. I felt like my body was no longer responding to my efforts.


But things started to change when I began learning more about nutrition and natural ways to support my body. Little by little, I discovered what worked best for me. Over a year and a half, I went from 76 kg (168 lbs) to 54 kg (119 lbs).


Through this experience, I realized that losing weight with Hashimoto's isn't always just about what you eat. Sometimes, you need to look at the bigger picture to understand what's happening in your body.


I'd like to share seven areas that I believe are worth exploring.


My personal journey: from 76 kg (168 lbs) to 54 kg (119 lbs). These are real photos, with no changes to my body shape or proportions. Everyone's journey is different, and these results are not guaranteed.


1. Are Your Thyroid Hormone Levels Well Balanced?

When your thyroid is underactive, your metabolism can slow down. This can contribute to weight gain, although the amount is usually moderate.


TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is the main marker used to monitor thyroid function. Some functional medicine practitioners prefer a TSH range of around 0.5 to 2.0 mIU/L, but this is not a medical target that applies to everyone.


Personally, I prefer to pay attention to this range, while keeping in mind that thyroid function and treatment should always be assessed individually with a doctor.


Something else worth knowing: extra weight isn't always just body fat. Hypothyroidism can also cause water retention, while constipation and bloating may make you feel even more swollen.


2. Diet, Gut Health, and Weight Gain

When you have Hashimoto's, I think it's worth paying attention to how your body reacts to certain foods, especially if you experience digestive problems.


Gluten and dairy products may be worth exploring. You could try removing them for about four weeks, then slowly adding them back into your diet to see how your body responds and whether certain digestive symptoms improve.


Important: Before removing gluten from your diet, ask your doctor whether testing for celiac disease would be appropriate, especially if you experience digestive symptoms.


How Is Your Gut Microbiome Connected to Your Weight?

Your gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive system. It plays a role in digestion, metabolism, and inflammation.

Research has found differences in gut bacteria between people living with obesity and people of normal weight.


These differences may influence how the body responds to insulin, regulates appetite, and uses energy. However, scientists are still trying to understand whether these changes directly contribute to weight gain.


For me, this is another reason to pay attention to nutrition. Eating a variety of plant foods and fiber-rich foods that your body tolerates well can help support your gut microbiome.


Certain probiotics may also be useful in specific situations, although choosing the right ones depends on your individual needs.


3. Supporting Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Have you ever heard of insulin resistance?


It happens when your body's cells don't respond to insulin as well as they should. This can make weight management more difficult.


To help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, I prefer balanced meals that include fiber, protein, healthy fats, and not too much added sugar.


Blueberries are another food I like to recommend. They contain polyphenols, natural compounds found in plants.


In herbal medicine, several plants and natural compounds have attracted researchers' attention:

  • Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre): May influence how we perceive sweet tastes.

  • Berberine: Has been studied for its effects on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

  • Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): Is being researched for its possible role in blood sugar regulation.

  • Black seed (Nigella sativa): Some studies suggest it may help improve fasting blood sugar levels and how the body processes glucose.


I've also written an article about black seed, a plant I find particularly interesting for people living with Hashimoto's.


Of course, none of these plants is a magic solution for weight loss. Their possible benefits relate to certain processes in the body that can influence weight management.


They aren't suitable for everyone and may interact with medications, especially diabetes medications.


4. Could Inflammation Be Playing a Role?

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition. At the same time, ongoing low-level inflammation in the body can contribute to changes in metabolism, including insulin resistance.


One of my priorities is eating an anti-inflammatory diet : vegetables, berries, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, along with healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil.


Different eating approaches, including the Mediterranean diet, Paleo diet, and Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), are also worth exploring, depending on your needs and how your body responds to certain foods. Personally, I followed a Paleo-style diet during my weight-loss journey.


Another natural compound that interests me is curcumin, found in turmeric. Researchers have studied it for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

One challenge with curcumin is that the body doesn't absorb it easily. This is why special formulations, such as CurcuGreen® (BCM-95®), have been developed.

This formulation combines curcumin compounds with components of turmeric essential oil. It does not contain piperine and is different from certain liposomal formulas that may contain soy or canola oil.


5. Fatigue and Sleep: Two Important Factors

If you live with Hashimoto's, you may know how difficult it can be to stay active when you're constantly tired.


Fatigue can make regular exercise and healthy eating habits harder to maintain.

Sometimes, low levels of iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, or vitamin D may contribute to this feeling of exhaustion.


Zinc and selenium are also important for thyroid function, although this doesn't mean everyone needs to take supplements.


And then there's sleep, which plays an important role in appetite regulation and metabolism.


I recommend keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding screens ideally one to two hours before bedtime, and sleeping in a dark, quiet, and cool room.


Magnesium helps support normal nervous system function. German chamomile, passionflower, and the relaxing scent of true lavender essential oil can also be part of a calming bedtime routine.


6. Managing Stress in Everyday Life

Stress is another factor I wouldn't overlook.


When stress becomes chronic, it can affect sleep, increase appetite, and lead to more food cravings.


Your body may spend more time in a constant state of alert, often called the "fight-or-flight" response.


During this response, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that helps you deal with stressful situations.


When stress continues for a long time, changes in how the body responds to cortisol may, in some people, contribute to fat storage, especially around the abdomen, and make weight management more difficult.


To manage stress, I personally enjoy walking in nature, listening to music, practicing yoga, and spending a few minutes doing slow, deep belly breathing.

In aromatherapy, true lavender, frankincense, and ylang-ylang essential oils are traditionally appreciated for their relaxing scents when used carefully through inhalation.


I'm also interested in saffron (Crocus sativus). Certain standardized extracts are being studied for their possible benefits on mood and anxiety symptoms.

However, precautions are important, especially if you take antidepressant medications.


For me, managing stress isn't just about feeling calmer. It's also part of taking care of my overall well-being.


7. Stay Active Without Exhausting Yourself

When you're already struggling with fatigue, pushing yourself through very intense workouts isn't always the best approach.


Walking, swimming, cycling, and Pilates can all be good choices.

I also recommend including strength training, which helps maintain muscle and improve body composition.


What matters is finding activities you enjoy, that suit your energy levels, and that you can continue doing regularly.


What I Hope You'll Remember

My journey with Hashimoto's has taught me that there is no magic solution.


I spent time trying to understand why my body wasn't responding the way I expected. And what helped me most was learning to look at several factors together, rather than focusing only on the number of calories I was eating.

Your thyroid, digestion, gut microbiome, blood sugar levels, sleep, and stress can all play a role.


Rather than moving from one diet to another, I believe it's more helpful to understand your body's needs and make small changes that you can maintain over time.


You don't have to change everything at once. Sometimes, knowing where to start makes all the difference.


Frequently Asked Questions About Hashimoto's and Weight Loss


Can Hashimoto's Cause Weight Gain?

Yes, when Hashimoto's causes hypothyroidism that is untreated or not properly controlled with thyroid medication.


When your body doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, your metabolism can slow down and lead to weight gain. This weight gain is usually moderate and is partly caused by water retention.


When thyroid medication is correctly adjusted and thyroid hormone levels are well balanced, hypothyroidism should generally no longer be a major cause of weight gain.


However, other factors may still play a role, including diet, sleep, physical activity, and certain metabolic conditions.


Can You Lose Weight With Hashimoto's?

Yes. My own experience is one example, although everyone's results are different.

Having well-balanced thyroid hormone levels and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits are important factors to consider.


Why Can't I Lose Weight Even Though My TSH Is Normal?

Because your thyroid isn't the only factor that affects your weight.

Your diet, sleep, physical activity, certain medications, and other health conditions can also play a role.


Feel Like You've Tried Everything Without Seeing Results?

You're watching what you eat and trying to take care of yourself, but you're no longer sure what to focus on first.


You don't necessarily need another diet or more supplements.


What you may need most is clarity.


That's why I created my Hashimoto's Clarity Session.


During our 60-minute online session, we'll look at your nutrition, digestion, sleep, stress, and daily habits together. You'll leave with two to three personalized priorities and practical steps to help you move forward at your own pace.


Private Online Session · 60 Minutes · $99 USD


Sources and References

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Herbs, essential oils, and supplements may not be suitable for everyone and can interact with medications. Never change or stop taking your thyroid medication without speaking to your doctor.

 

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page