If you’ve been dieting, exercising, and “doing everything right” but still can’t lose weight, it might not be your willpower, it could be your thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that plays a big role in controlling metabolism.
When it’s not working properly, the body burns fewer calories, stores more fat, and struggles to maintain energy levels. This condition is known as hypothyroidism, and it’s often missed or misunderstood in conventional care.
Many people are told their labs are “normal,” yet they still feel tired, bloated, and unable to lose weight. One major reason for this is that standard testing usually includes just one or two markers, often missing deeper thyroid issues or the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s, which is the most common cause of low thyroid function.
Signs your thyroid might be the problem include:
- Weight gain or inability to lose weight
- Fatigue, even with good sleep
- Cold hands and feet
- Brain fog
- Hair thinning
- Constipation
In functional medicine, the focus is on understanding the root causes of slow metabolism, not just giving another diet plan or cutting more calories. A deeper look into thyroid function can reveal whether the issue is related to autoimmunity, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, or blood sugar imbalances.
Rather than guess, comprehensive testing is used to evaluate the full thyroid panel, as well as related systems like the gut, liver, and adrenals. From there, a personalized plan is created to address the specific dysfunctions holding the body back from losing weight.
This may include:
- Reducing inflammation through diet
- Supporting thyroid hormone conversion
- Healing the gut
- Balancing blood sugar
- Addressing hidden stressors
When the body gets the right support, metabolism improves and weight loss becomes easier and more sustainable.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of dieting without results, don’t blame yourself. The real problem might be your thyroid. By identifying the underlying causes and managing them properly, it’s possible to restore balance, boost energy, and finally see the progress you’ve been working so hard for.