Why Am I Gaining Weight Even Though I Eat Less?

Have you ever stared at your plate, wondering how you’re gaining weight when you’ve barely eaten a full meal? Or felt so tired that even getting out of bed feels like a workout? You’re not alone—and no, you’re not lazy, and you’re definitely not imagining things.

The culprit might just be your thyroid.

What’s the Thyroid and Why Does It Matter?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland sitting neatly at the base of your neck. It may be small, but it controls something huge—your metabolism. It’s like the thermostat of your body. When it’s not working properly, everything slows down—including how fast you burn calories.

Tired All the Time? It Might Not Be Laziness—It Could Be Your Thyroid

Let’s get this clear: constant tiredness, even after a good night’s sleep, could be one of the first signs of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). Other sneaky symptoms include:

• Dry skin

• Hair fall

• Feeling cold all the time

• Mood swings or feeling low for no reason

• Sluggish digestion or constipation

So before you blame yourself, blame your boss, or blame Netflix—get your thyroid checked.

Thyroid Tests Decoded: T3, T4, TSH—What Do They Even Mean?

Ever seen your blood test reports and felt like you were reading ancient Greek? Let’s break it down:

Test	What It Tells You
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)	The boss hormone that tells your thyroid what to do. If TSH is high, your thyroid is likely underactive (hypothyroidism).
T3 & T4	These are the actual thyroid hormones produced by your gland. Low T3/T4 usually means sluggish thyroid function.

➡ Bottom Line: High TSH + Low T3/T4 = Hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid)

Thyroid Myths Busted: Can You Stop Medicines After a Few Months?

Short answer? Usually NO.

Many people think thyroid medication is like an antibiotic—take it for a while, and you’ll be cured. Unfortunately, hypothyroidism is usually a lifelong condition. But don’t worry—the medicine (levothyroxine) is safe, affordable, and replaces what your body isn’t making on its own.

Stopping your medicines suddenly can make you feel tired, foggy, and gain weight again. Always consult your doctor before making any changes.

Foods to Avoid (and Enjoy) If You Have Thyroid Problems

Here’s where it gets interesting. Food can either support or slow down your thyroid function.

Foods to Limit (if you have hypothyroidism):

• Raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower (in large amounts)

• Soy products (can interfere with absorption of thyroid medicine)

• Highly processed foods (loaded with salt and preservatives)

Foods to Enjoy:

• Iodine-rich foods (iodized salt, seafood)

• Selenium-rich foods (Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds)

• Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, lentils)

• Fruits & veggies (cooked cruciferous veggies are fine)

Pro Tip: Always take your thyroid medicine on an empty stomach in the morning with water. Don’t eat for at least 30 minutes after for better absorption.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Signs

Weight gain, tiredness, mood swings—if you’re experiencing these, don’t just push through or blame it on a ‘busy life.’ It could be your thyroid asking for help.

Next Step? Talk to your doctor. Get your thyroid levels checked. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to manage.