Weight gain is a struggle that hits close to home for many, whether we face it ourselves or see it in others. For some, they’ve never known life without the extra kilos, even as kids. While genetics often gets the blame, thyroid disorders could be a cause.
It’s a connection most miss, and without a proper diagnosis, it’s easy to feel lost, not knowing why the weight won’t budge or how to fix it. The struggle is real, and sometimes, the answers are hidden in places we least expect.
Fighting more than just the scale
For Sibongiseni Dalasile, a mother from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, living in a larger body is a challenge she’s familiar with. As a teenager, she was already on the heavier side, and as she got older, her body kept getting bigger.
“I’ve tried so many diets and exercise plans, losing a little bit, only to put it all back on. I ate healthy, stayed active, but nothing seemed to work.”
Sibongiseni Dalasile
In her efforts to lose weight, Dalasile says she even tried to have gastric bypass surgery, but she couldn’t go through with it because she needed to lose some weight beforehand, which she struggled to do.
“I struggled just to take a normal bath. I needed help with simple things, like tying my shoes and driving.”
She tells Health For Mzansi that, due to her depression, she often linked her weight and constant fatigue to her mental health challenges.
“But then things got worse. I stopped having my menstrual periods for almost five years. I lost my sex drive, I was always tired, my confidence took a hit, and I snored. And I mean, I really snored like I never had before.”
Her weight and everything that came with it just made life feel harder. Not being able to play with her kids was the part that hurt the most – it broke her heart every single day.
A new chapter in health
At the beginning of 2024, Dalasile began feeling very unwell, struggling with anxiety, fatigue, headaches, and a range of other puzzling health issues. After several doctor visits, she was finally diagnosed with a thyroid disorder.
She explains that she hadn’t heard of the condition until that day.
“I used to crave junk food, especially after a stressful day,” she says. “Food was my way of coping.”
Dalasile tells Health For Mzansi that she was placed on chronic thyroid medication shortly after her diagnosis.
Now, Dalasile says her relationship with food has changed. She eats only because she needs to, and the constant cravings have disappeared.
Her menstrual periods have also returned, she says. “I feel lighter, my complexion is clearer, and I can sleep peacefully at night.”
Since then, she has lost weight, going from 184kg to 118kg.
Although thyroid disorder is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment, Dalasile is happy with her progress, feeling better and seeing improvements in her overall health.
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Thyroid’s impact on weight and metabolism
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, determining how the body uses energy, explains Dr Katlego Lekalakala, who operates #Keready mobile clinics in Johannesburg Central.
She notes that when the gland doesn’t function properly, it can result in two main conditions:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): Slows down metabolism, potentially leading to weight gain, fatigue, and sluggishness.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): Speeds up metabolism, often causing weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness.
She explains that thyroid dysfunction can be a factor, but it’s rarely the only one.
“Hypothyroidism may cause mild to moderate weight gain (usually 2-4 kg), and hyperthyroidism can lead to increased appetite, which can indirectly lead to weight gain.”
Dr Katlego Lekalakala
“We need to also consider other factors like diet, physical activity, stress, and genetic predisposition.”
Managing thyroid health
How can you tell if weight changes are caused by thyroid issues? Lekalakala gives a few pointers:
- Medical symptoms: If weight changes come with fatigue, hair thinning, dry skin, or changes in heart rate, consider thyroid dysfunction.
- Family history: A family history of thyroid disease increases your risk.
- Blood tests: A simple blood test measuring TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) can confirm if your thyroid is the culprit.
Treatment options
Lekalakala says there is no treatment specifically for thyroid-related weight fluctuations.
“However, there is treatment for the thyroid, which can indirectly assist with the weight changes associated with it.” She explains:
- Hypothyroidism will be treated with synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine. This helps regulate metabolism but won’t necessarily lead to major weight loss.
- Hyperthyroidism can be managed with medications, radioactive iodine, or surgery to control hormone production.
Lekalakala adds that these lifestyle choices can help support thyroid health:
- Balanced diet: Focus on nutrient-rich foods, especially iodine (iodised salt, seafood), selenium (nuts), and zinc (meat, legumes).
- Regular exercise: Helps manage weight and improves overall health.
- Stress management: High stress can worsen thyroid conditions.
She advises that if you suspect thyroid issues, seek medical advice, as these conditions are manageable with proper care and support.
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