Episode 234: Is My Thyroid Making Me Gain Weight?
Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight LossMarch 30, 2026
234
17:1124.34 MB

Episode 234: Is My Thyroid Making Me Gain Weight?

If you've been struggling to lose weight and your thyroid came back abnormal, it's natural to connect the dots. But here's what I need you to know, the thyroid is not the whole story.

In this episode, I break down exactly what your thyroid does and doesn't do when it comes to your weight.

Yes, hypothyroidism affects your weight. But research shows it typically causes only 5 to 10 pounds of gain — and most of that is water retention, not body fat. Treating it will help you feel better, but it won't magically melt the weight away. And please, do not ask your doctor for extra thyroid medication to speed up weight loss. It won't work — and it can seriously hurt you.

If you've ever blamed your thyroid for your weight struggles, this episode will give you the honest, research-backed truth — and a clear path forward. Listen now!

Episode Highlights:

  • What hypothyroidism actually does to your metabolism and what it doesn't

  • Why the weight you gain from an underactive thyroid is mostly water retention, not body fat

  • What to realistically expect when you start thyroid medication

  • Why taking extra thyroid hormone to lose weight can cause serious harm

  • The four steps to take if you're concerned about your thyroid and your weight

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

 

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, “Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

 

Resources:

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