How Your Thyroid Gland Affects Your Metabolism and Energy Levels

Your thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a huge role in how your body functions every day. Located in the front of your neck, this butterfly-shaped gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism — the process your body uses to convert food into energy. 

When your thyroid is working properly, it helps keep your metabolism balanced and gives you the energy you need to power through your day.

Below, Melita Tate, MD, a primary care provider, explains how your thyroid gland affects your metabolism and energy levels, what happens when your hormones aren’t balanced, and how Grassroots Healthcare in Tulsa, Oklahoma, can help. 

What does your thyroid gland do?

Your thyroid produces three hormones: 

• Thyroxine (T4) 
• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Calcitonin

T4 and T3 are considered the main thyroid hormones, and they control how fast or slow your body’s metabolism runs. When these hormones become active in your body, they ramp up your basal metabolic rate — the amount of energy your body uses even while at rest. 

This increased activity makes every cell work harder, which raises your body temperature, speeds up your heartbeat, and quickens your pulse. It also causes your body to burn through stored energy faster.

In children, these hormones help with brain development and growth, while in people of all ages, they stimulate the nervous system, boost attention, and sharpen reflexes.

In other words, your thyroid does a lot! 

When your hormones are imbalanced 

If your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), your metabolism speeds up. This can cause symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and feelings of anxiety or restlessness. 

If it produces too little (hypothyroidism), your metabolism slows down, often leading to fatigue, weight gain, and feeling cold. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism, affecting about 5% of Americans. 

How your thyroid affects your energy levels

Because your metabolism directly influences how your body generates and uses energy, any imbalance in thyroid hormones can significantly impact your energy levels. 

An underactive thyroid can leave you feeling constantly tired, sluggish, or mentally foggy, while an overactive thyroid can cause restlessness and difficulty sleeping, which also drains your energy over time.

To compound matters, hypothyroidism can increase your risk of depression, and depression can also sabotage your energy levels.

Should you get your thyroid hormones checked?

If you notice unexplained fatigue, changes in weight, temperature sensitivity, or mood shifts, it might be time to check your thyroid function. 

Dr. Tate can measure your hormones with a simple blood test.

Get your energy levels back on track

If your lab results show that your thyroid hormone levels are imbalanced, Dr. Tate recommends lifestyle changes and medications to help restore balance. Medications like levothyroxine replace the hormones your thyroid isn’t producing or releasing adequately. 

She also provides support with weight management, depression, and other related health concerns to help you feel your best.

Don’t let thyroid issues hold you back 

Schedule an appointment with Grassroots Healthcare to get your metabolism and energy levels back on track! Contact us by phone or online today.