If you have noticed an unexplained weight gain and tried a number of ways to lose weight with no results, then you may be suffering from hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland produces the hormone thyroxin, which performs a number of functions in our body like stimulation of metabolism, to decrease the appetite, facilitates weight loss, and regulates the heart rate and bowel movements.

Hypothyroid or under active thyroid is caused by a deficiency of iodine, which assists in producing a sufficient level of thyroxin. If hypothyroidism is not treated, it can lead to serious physical problems such as:

· Weight Gain

· Anemia

· Heart Failure

· Depression

· Dementia.

Underactive thyroid can affect anyone, but the risk of developing this disorder increases with age. It has been found that 40% of people who suffer from this disorder are over the age of 60. T4 and T3 variants are the most important variants of hormone thyroxin. T4 is produced by the thyroid gland, which is activated by the liver and other organs of the body. A more energized form is known as T3, which is a hormone the body uses as needed.

Thyroxin does not work alone. It is controlled by other hormones produced by the hypothalamus gland in the brain. The hypothalamus gland regulates the amount of thyroxin hormone produced. The hypothalamus sends message to the thyroid to increase or decrease the production of thyroxin, according to the current amount of thyroxin hormone in the thyroid.

This process can cause the body to become unstable for a number of reasons:

· Age

· Tumors

· Neck Operations

· Genetic Operations

· Infections

The process also becomes unstable if the body is suffering from autoimmune disorder, which occurs when the body attacks the thyroid gland and reduces the hormone-producing cells.

There are a number of symptoms of hypothyroid such as weight gain, difficulty losing weight, swelling of the face, fatigue, constipation, depression, confusion, slow heart rate, hair loss, brittle nails and poor memory.

Some patients who suffer from an underactive thyroid either do not show symptoms or have subtle symptoms. This disorder is detected by a blood test that checks the concentration of thyroxin in the blood, but many practitioners believe that the blood test is not always accurate, especially in mild cases. A patient with this disorder uninterrupted treatment and regular blood check-ups to monitor the amount of thyroxin.

If you have had an unexplained weight gain with difficulty in losing it then you might be suffering from hypothyroidism. One option for diagnosis and treatment is to consult a doctor. There are also some natural alternatives to supplement the treatment. For example, Soya products contain amino acid tyrosine, which help to treat hypothyroidism.

You can also add broccoli, tomatoes, and carrots to your diet, which has antioxidants, and Vitamins C and E with the co-enzyme Q10. An iodine rich diet, for instance kelp or seaweed, is a must for overcoming this disorder, Be careful, however, not to ingest these supplements in excess. It is important that you should consult your doctor before using any of these natural supplements.