When people hear the word “metabolism,” they often think it only means how fast the body burns calories. But metabolism is actually much more than that.
It includes all the chemical activities in the body that keep us alive—like turning food into energy and fixing damaged cells.
One health problem that affects metabolism is called hypothyroidism. This happens when the thyroid gland, a small gland in the neck, doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones. These hormones, called T4 and T3, help control how fast your body works. They affect your heart rate, your body temperature, and how quickly you use energy.
When these hormone levels are low, the body slows down. You might feel very tired, gain weight easily, feel cold even when others don’t, or have dry skin and constipation. It’s like your body’s engine is running in slow motion.
Because it affects how the body turns food into energy, hypothyroidism is a metabolic disorder. A metabolic disorder is any condition that changes how your body handles important chemical processes, especially those related to energy. That’s exactly what happens in hypothyroidism.
There are several causes of hypothyroidism. The most common one is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Other causes can include certain medicines, radiation treatment, or problems with another gland in the brain called the pituitary gland.
Doctors usually check for hypothyroidism with a blood test. If your thyroid hormone levels are low and your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels are high, it usually means your thyroid isn’t working properly.
The main treatment for hypothyroidism is taking a pill every day. This pill contains synthetic thyroid hormone to replace what your body isn’t making. This helps your metabolism work properly again. But getting the dose right can take time, so doctors check your blood regularly to make sure you’re getting the right amount.
Hypothyroidism doesn’t just affect your weight or energy. It can also raise your cholesterol levels, cause heart problems, and even change your mood. That’s why it’s important to think of it not just as a thyroid issue, but as a condition that affects the whole body.
Scientists are still learning more about hypothyroidism and how it connects to other health problems. This research helps doctors find better ways to treat it and helps people understand how important the thyroid is for overall health.
In short, hypothyroidism is not just about feeling tired or gaining weight. It slows down many body systems and is a real metabolic disorder. Knowing this can help people get the care they need and better understand what’s happening inside their bodies.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and berry that can prevent cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects the risks of heart disease and cancer and results showing vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
