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An Acupoint Catgut-embedding Therapy for Treating Obesity
Published on: April 4, 2025
[Obesity and hypothyroidism: myth or reality?].
Luc Portmann1, Vittorio Giusti
1Service d'endocrinologie, diabétologie et métabolisme, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. Luc.Portmann@chuv.ch
Revue Medicale Suisse
|May 23, 2007
Summary
Hypothyroidism is not a common cause of obesity. While thyroid hormone levels affect metabolism, weight loss from treatment is minimal, suggesting obesity is rarely due to thyroid failure.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic pathways
- Thyroid hormone function
Context:
- Historically, obesity was a diagnostic criterion for hypothyroidism.
- Current metabolic criteria focus on weight gain with other hypothyroidism symptoms.
- The relationship between thyroid hormones and thermogenesis is complex.
Purpose:
- To explore the association between hypothyroidism and obesity.
- To clarify the impact of thyroid dysfunction on body weight and metabolism.
Summary:
- Obesity is infrequently linked to hypothyroidism, with weight gain being a key metabolic sign.
- Thyroid hormones significantly influence thermogenesis and metabolic pathways.
- Treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism has minimal effect on weight; severe cases may cause <10% weight loss.
Impact:
- Severe obesity is unlikely to be caused by thyroid failure.
- Understanding thyroid function's role in weight management is crucial.
- This research clarifies the limited impact of thyroid dysfunction on severe obesity.
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