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Hypometabolism
[Q&As are placed in reverse chronological
order. In other words,
the latest Q&As come first. Earlier ones are further down the
page.]
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Latest Updates to
drlowe.com |
April 11, 2000
Question: Is there a difference between
hypothyroidism and hypometabolism, or does one result form the other?
Dr. Lowe:
Yes, hypothyroidism and hypometabolism are
different phenomena. Hypothyroidism is a lower-than-normal level of thyroid hormones in
the circulating blood due to an underactive thyroid gland. The lower-than-normal blood
thyroid hormone levels result in too few thyroid hormones reaching the body's cells. As a
result, the metabolism of the cells becomes slower. When the metabolic rate becomes
abnormally slow, we call the condition "hypo-metabolism" ("hypo" means
under or low.) When metabolism slows far enough, the person develops characteristic
symptoms. We say that the person is hypometabolic. So, hypothyroidism is a cause of
hypometabolism.
However, hypothyroidism is not the only cause of
hypometabolism; a patient's metabolism can be slower than normal for other reasons.
Metabolism also becomes slower than normal in people who have normal blood thyroid hormone
levels but who also have cellular resistance to thyroid hormone. The response of these
people’s cells to thyroid hormone is blunted. Also, metabolism becomes abnormally
slow in sedentary people, and in those who have certain nutritional deficiencies. Both a
sedentary lifestyle and nutritional deficiencies are extremely common. In fact, these
causes of hypometabolism are probably more common than hypothyroidism or cellular thyroid
hormone resistance. |
