Last year I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Since my diagnosis, I have gained 22 lb. (10kg) and my body is totally disfigured. Can you help me? I am very sad and I would really like to know if hypothyroidism is curable?

Thank you for your question. We are sorry to hear you have been feeling sad about your diagnosis. We hope this answer can help you feel a bit better. For starters, it’s important to know, you are not alone! A lot of people around the world have thyroid . The thyroid is a super important gland that helps fuel your body, keep you energized, and keep your body systems all running smoothly. There are two types of thyroid disease, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid hormone is low and likely your thyroid gland is struggling to make enough. Low thyroid hormone can cause weight gain, depression, bloating, feeling cold, and more. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite, meaning your thyroid is working super-fast (high=hyper)!  A high thyroid can cause weight loss, hair loss, diarrhea, and more. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can also affect your menstrual cycle.

Luckily, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be managed with medications, but unfortunately it isn’t curable. It’s super important to take your medication as prescribed to keep your body regulated and help minimize your symptoms. It’s also important to mention that there are a lot of different things that can impact your thyroid’s ability to function appropriately. That being said, it’s super important to check with your health care provider (HCP) to rule those things out first.