Hypothyroidism and Low Metabolism in the Body

Hypothyroidism is an ailment that occurs when the thyroid gland located at the frontal zone of the neck just below the “Adam’s apple” reduces its function of producing the thyroxine hormone, which is responsible for balancing the bodily processes and metabolism.
As a result, the body’s metabolism is reduced or lowered. This symptom is particularly common among sufferers of hypothyroidism. They generally complain of excessive tiredness and general body weakness.
Unfortunately, many people who have hypothyroidism hardly notice it because the symptoms are very much like those of people who are stressed out. So, they do not check it out until it is fully bloomed. Most just think if they would only rest and reduce the stressful activities, they’ll be all right.
Then hey find that even with adequate rest, they seem to get worse. By that time it is already far-gone. In fact recent estimates have shown that over 5 million people in the United States alone are victims of this ailment and over 10 percent of the total population of women in the United States suffer from one form of the ailment or the other.
In most cases though, it just a case of mild hypothyroidism and most times it goes undetected as the symptoms are mostly attributed o other things. So how does this affect the body metabolism?

According to Encarta Dictionaries, the word metabolism has two meanings:
1. Life-sustaining chemical activity: the series of processes by which food is converted into the energy and products needed to sustain life.
2. Chemical activity involving particular substance: the biochemical activity of a particular substance in a living organism so, going by these definitions, it is clear that the metabolic processes in the body is what converts food to the required energy we all need.
Now, because a decrease in the thyroxine levels in the body results in muscle loss, this grossly decreases the basal metabolic rate of the person’s body system.
Since the metabolic activities are mostly carried out in the muscles, it becomes harder for the body to process foods at the normal rate. Hence reducing body metabolism and consequently, energy and strength.