Does something wrong with the thyroid glands lead to obesity?

Hypothyroidism or an under active thyroid occurs when your thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones. This slows down your body's metabolism, leading to symptoms such as tiredness and putting on weight. You may also have swelling of the thyroid gland in your neck. This is called a goiter. Hypothyroidism usually develops gradually. The symptoms are mild and you may not even notice them at first. Occasionally, hypothyroidism gets better without treatment. In general, however, the symptoms get progressively worse if it isn't treated and it becomes more and more difficult to function normally. Just for further information, some medicines can affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. These include lithium carbonate,for bipolar disorder, and amiodarone for heart rhythm problems. Iodine deficiency in the diet is the leading cause of hypothyroidism worldwide. Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by monitoring the levels of TSH and thyroid hormones in your blood. My sister has Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is the most common type of autoimmune hypothyroidism. It can make the thyroid gland swell up, feel sluggish all the time, and gain weight.

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Many of the manifestations of hypothyroidism reflect one of two changes induced by lack of thyroid hormone::

A generalized slowing of metabolic processes. This can lead to abnormalities such as fatigue, slow movement and slow speech, cold intolerance, constipation, WEIGHT GAIN (but not morbid obesity), delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflexes, and bradycardia.

Accumulation of matrix glycosaminoglycans in the interstitial spaces of many tissues . This can lead to coarse hair and skin, puffy facies, enlargement of the tongue, and hoarseness. These changes are often more easily recognized in young patients, and they may be attributed to aging in older patients

I have gained 1 stone in the past 6 months and my thyroid is slightly under active but they don't want to start me on thyroxine just yet. I don't have a big appetite, my mother has the same problem only she takes thyroxine and eats 3 times more than I do. So your answer is yes and she will also feel a bit sluggish.

Yes, an underactive thyroid gland, where a lack of thyroxine hormone is released, therefore, this slows down the metabolism.

PS: You put on weight with an UNDERACTIVE gland.

Yes. I had over active thyroid and lost 2 stones, with the help of tablets I am now back to normal.

Under active thyroid increases your weight/size.

My mum has an overactive thyroid and she put on weight. I pressume it was to do with the tyroid, so its a possibility.

yes it does