Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHypothyroidismHashimoto’s ThyroiditisPCOSDepressionInsomniaMenopauseCushing’s DiseaseCongestive Heart FailureCancerWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
PCOS
Depression
Insomnia
Menopause
Cushing’s Disease
Congestive Heart Failure
Cancer
When to Seek Care
Weight gain and fatigue are common issues that many people experience. These symptoms are often natural consequences of dealing with everyday stressors and a lack of sleep. However, unexplained weight gain and fatigue can sometimes be symptoms of an underlying condition.
Because many diseases could produce these symptoms, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. If you are eating a healthy diet and sleeping well but experiencing weight gain andfatigue, talk to a healthcare provider to find out what may be going on.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Thethyroid glandcreates thyroid hormone that keeps the body running. An underactive thyroid, orhypothyroidism, occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough of these hormones. As a result, your metabolism slows, leading to weight gain and fatigue.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Too much thyroid hormone can also lead to fatigue and greater appetite, translating to weight gain. So following your healthcare provider’s instructions is extremely important while undergoing treatment.
Does Hyperthyroidism Cause Weight Gain?It is more common with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid) to lose weight than gain it. However, high levels of thyroid hormone can stimulate the appetite and cause weight gain. Hyperthyroid medications also may cause weight gain, as can thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid that can cause high or low thyroid hormone levels.
Does Hyperthyroidism Cause Weight Gain?
It is more common with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid) to lose weight than gain it. However, high levels of thyroid hormone can stimulate the appetite and cause weight gain. Hyperthyroid medications also may cause weight gain, as can thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid that can cause high or low thyroid hormone levels.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditisis an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and weight gain. With this condition, the body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid. The thyroid gland becomes irritated, inflamed, or scarred and can’t make enough thyroid hormone.
Other symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include:
Treatment may include medication to treat an underactive thyroid. If someone with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis develops an enlarged thyroid gland (called a goiter), surgery may be needed to remove it to avoid problems with swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, occurs when there is an imbalance of reproductive hormones in people with ovaries. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are typical in people with PCOS.
Weight gain with PCOS is often the result ofinsulin resistance, which commonly co-occurs with PCOS. Insulin resistance happens when the body has difficulty pulling glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and converting it into energy.
When the body doesn’t have enough glucose to work with, it needs more insulin to maintain an adequate blood sugar level. Over time, the body begins to overproduce insulin to keep blood sugar levels stable. This overproduction can lead to weight gain andtype 2 diabetes.
In addition to weight gain, people with PCOS may also experience fatigue. Other symptoms of PCOS include:
Although there is no cure for PCOS, people can manage their symptoms withmedications. These may include:
In addition, following ahealthy dietand eating natural, unprocessed foods, fatty fish, dark leafy greens, and fiber-rich foods can help curb some of the symptoms of PCOS.
Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder where sadness affects a person’s ability to function. People with depression often experience chronic fatigue.
Fatigue can also be a side effect of commonly used antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
People with depression may also experience appetite changes and have weight loss or gain unrelated to their eating behavior.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 43% of people with depression have obesity. Those with depression are much more likely to become obese than those who are not depressed.
Besides fatigue and weight gain, other symptoms of depression include:
Primarytreatment options for depressioninclude therapy, antidepressants, and lifestyle changes.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Insomniais a sleep disorder that makes falling or staying asleep difficult. It can also lead to waking up too early.
When someone doesn’t get enough sleep because of insomnia, they naturally become tired and experience fatigue. Multiple studies have shown a link between insomnia and weight gain andobesity.
Increases Appetite
In a 2016 study, researchers found that sleep deprivation had effects on the body similar to the activation of theendocannabinoidsystem (ECS). ECS is a critical player in the brain’s appetite regulation and energy levels.
The study found that when participants were sleep-deprived, they had higher and longer-lasting ECS levels in the afternoons than when they had a full night’s rest. These levels occurred around the same time that they reported increased hunger and appetite. They also consumed more and unhealthier snacks between meals.
Linked to Depression
Insomniais linked to other conditions that can cause unexplained weight gain and fatigue, such as depression. It is one of the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder. It is so common that 80% to 90% of people with depression have insomnia.
Menopauseoccurs whenmenstrual periodsstop for a consecutive 12-month period. It typically happens after age 45. During this time, your body produces significantly lessestrogenand progesterone.
Weight Gain
Duringperimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, estrogen levels begin their decline. This hormonal shift begins to slow down a person’s metabolism.During this time, even if someone continues to eat a healthy diet, they are much more likely to gain weight.
Fatigue
Fatigue is common in those going through menopause. That’s because estrogen and progesterone both play a role in sleep, among other things.
Estrogen metabolizes serotonin and other neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that affect your sleep-wake cycle.
Estrogen helps keep your body temperature low at night and, therefore, is more conducive to restful sleep. Also, night sweats, which are hot flashes that occur during sleep, cause unpleasant sensations that disrupt sleep and lead to insomnia.
Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescriptionmedicationsto improve sleep during menopause.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause include:
Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe estrogen therapy or estrogen and progesterone therapy to help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. Non-hormonal medications can help with depression and anxiety and relieve vaginal dryness.
Cushing’s disease, a subset ofCushing’s syndrome, is an endocrine disorder in which there is too much of the stress hormonecortisolin the body.
When the body releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from thepituitary gland, it triggers cortisol production. This excess cortisol sometimes results from a tumor in the pituitary gland.
Weight gain is often the first sign of this condition. That’s because too much cortisol can change the amount and distribution of body fat. With Cushing’s, weight tends to center in the face (“moon face”), around the midsection and upper back, and between the shoulders (“buffalo hump”).
People with Cushing’s disease also experience severe tiredness. Other Cushing’s disease symptoms include:
Cushing’s disease can mimic many other conditions, so it’s essential to rule them out when looking for a proper diagnosis.
If a pituitary gland tumor causes Cushing’s disease, then surgery to remove the tumor and radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary. Your healthcare provider might also prescribe hormone-inhibiting drugs to reduce the body’s cortisol level.
Medications and Weight GainSeveral types of medications may cause weight gain, such as:Diabetes medicationsAntipsychotics such aslithiumAntidepressantsEpilepsy medicationsSteroidsBirth controlBlood pressure-lowering medicationsAntidepressants, blood pressure medications, some seizure medications, andantihistaminescan also cause fatigue.
Medications and Weight Gain
Several types of medications may cause weight gain, such as:Diabetes medicationsAntipsychotics such aslithiumAntidepressantsEpilepsy medicationsSteroidsBirth controlBlood pressure-lowering medicationsAntidepressants, blood pressure medications, some seizure medications, andantihistaminescan also cause fatigue.
Several types of medications may cause weight gain, such as:
Antidepressants, blood pressure medications, some seizure medications, andantihistaminescan also cause fatigue.
Congestive heart failure(CHF) is a condition where the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to the rest of your body. Because the heart isn’t pumping as it should, fluids can build up, leading to congestion in the lungs and other tissues. However, not everyone with this condition will have fluid build-up.
Sudden weight gain (such as 2 to 3 pounds in 24 hours or 5 pounds over a couple of weeks) is a symptom of fluid retention. This type of weight gain may be a sign of congestive heart failure.
CHF can also cause fatigue. That’s because when the heart doesn’t pump blood effectively throughout the body, not as much oxygen and blood can get to the brain.
Other symptoms of CHF include:
Treatment for CHF focuses on alleviating symptoms and slowing further heart damage. Typically, it involves lifestyle changes and medications to reduce fluid retention and improve heart function.
Cancer and cancer treatments can cause fatigue and weight gain. While it’s more common to lose weight with cancer, weight gain can be a side effect of cancer treatments or a sign oflymphedema.
Hormonal therapy for breast, prostate, or ovarian cancers can cause weight gain. Eating to quell nausea or stress eating can contribute to weight gain in some people with cancer as well.
Lymphedema, a build-up of fluid in the fatty tissues, is a side effect of many cancer medications. This swelling can cause you to gain water weight.
Some cancers may also cause abdominal bloating, which will make your waistband feel tighter.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider if you have unexplained weight gain with ongoing fatigue. Additional symptoms that should be evaluated include:
Summary
If you have unexplained weight gain and fatigue, see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism.Brokhin M, Danzi S, Klein I.Assessment of the adequacy of thyroid hormone replacement therapy in hypothyroidism.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne).2019 ;10:631. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00631Kyriacou A, Kyriacou A, Makris KC, Syed AA, Perros P.Weight gain following treatment of hyperthyroidism—A forgotten tale.Clin Obes. 2019;9(5). doi:10.1111/cob.12328Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Barber TM, Hanson P, Weickert MO, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for pathogenesis and novel management strategies.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119874042. doi:10.1177/1179558119874042Shi Z, Atlantis E, Taylor AW, Gill TK, Price K, Appleton S, Wong ML, Licinio J.SSRI antidepressant use potentiates weight gain in the context of unhealthy lifestyles: results from a 4-year Australian follow-up study.BMJ Open.2017 Aug 11;7(8):e016224. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016224Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015 Oct 8;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290Harvard Medical School.Managing Weight Gain from Psychiatric Medications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Depression and obesity in the U.S. adult household population.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Papatriantafyllou E, Efthymiou D, Zoumbaneas E, et al.Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. Nutrients. 2022 Apr 8;14(8):1549. doi: 10.3390/nu14081549Cooper CB, Neufeld EV, Dolezal BA, et al.Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2018 Oct 4;4(1):e000392. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000392Hanlon EC, Tasali E, Leproult R, Stuhr KL, Doncheck E, de Wit H, Hillard CJ, Van Cauter E.Sleep restriction enhances the daily rhythm of circulating levels of endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol.Sleep. 2016 Mar 1;39(3):653-64. doi:10.5665/sleep.5546American Psychiatric Association.Treating sleep problems may help prevent depression.Chopra S, Sharma KA, Ranjan P, Malhotra A, Vikram NK, Kumari A.Weight management module for perimenopausal women: a practical guide for gynecologists.J Midlife Health. 2019;10(4):165-172. doi:10.4103/jmh.JMH_155_19Baker FC, de Zambotti M, Colrain IM, Bei B.Sleep problems during the menopausal transition: prevalence, impact, and management challenges.Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 Feb 9;10:73-95. doi:10.2147/NSS.S125807NHS Inform.Signs and symptoms of menopause.Medline Plus.Cushing disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for obesity.Ozdemir PG, Karadag AS, Selvi Y, Boysan M, Bilgili SG, Aydin A, Onder S.Assessment of the effects of antihistamine drugs on mood, sleep quality, sleepiness, and dream anxiety.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract.2014 Aug;18(3):161-168. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.907919American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.American Cancer Society.Weight changes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism.Brokhin M, Danzi S, Klein I.Assessment of the adequacy of thyroid hormone replacement therapy in hypothyroidism.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne).2019 ;10:631. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00631Kyriacou A, Kyriacou A, Makris KC, Syed AA, Perros P.Weight gain following treatment of hyperthyroidism—A forgotten tale.Clin Obes. 2019;9(5). doi:10.1111/cob.12328Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Barber TM, Hanson P, Weickert MO, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for pathogenesis and novel management strategies.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119874042. doi:10.1177/1179558119874042Shi Z, Atlantis E, Taylor AW, Gill TK, Price K, Appleton S, Wong ML, Licinio J.SSRI antidepressant use potentiates weight gain in the context of unhealthy lifestyles: results from a 4-year Australian follow-up study.BMJ Open.2017 Aug 11;7(8):e016224. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016224Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015 Oct 8;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290Harvard Medical School.Managing Weight Gain from Psychiatric Medications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Depression and obesity in the U.S. adult household population.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Papatriantafyllou E, Efthymiou D, Zoumbaneas E, et al.Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. Nutrients. 2022 Apr 8;14(8):1549. doi: 10.3390/nu14081549Cooper CB, Neufeld EV, Dolezal BA, et al.Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2018 Oct 4;4(1):e000392. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000392Hanlon EC, Tasali E, Leproult R, Stuhr KL, Doncheck E, de Wit H, Hillard CJ, Van Cauter E.Sleep restriction enhances the daily rhythm of circulating levels of endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol.Sleep. 2016 Mar 1;39(3):653-64. doi:10.5665/sleep.5546American Psychiatric Association.Treating sleep problems may help prevent depression.Chopra S, Sharma KA, Ranjan P, Malhotra A, Vikram NK, Kumari A.Weight management module for perimenopausal women: a practical guide for gynecologists.J Midlife Health. 2019;10(4):165-172. doi:10.4103/jmh.JMH_155_19Baker FC, de Zambotti M, Colrain IM, Bei B.Sleep problems during the menopausal transition: prevalence, impact, and management challenges.Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 Feb 9;10:73-95. doi:10.2147/NSS.S125807NHS Inform.Signs and symptoms of menopause.Medline Plus.Cushing disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for obesity.Ozdemir PG, Karadag AS, Selvi Y, Boysan M, Bilgili SG, Aydin A, Onder S.Assessment of the effects of antihistamine drugs on mood, sleep quality, sleepiness, and dream anxiety.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract.2014 Aug;18(3):161-168. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.907919American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.American Cancer Society.Weight changes.
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism.
Brokhin M, Danzi S, Klein I.Assessment of the adequacy of thyroid hormone replacement therapy in hypothyroidism.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne).2019 ;10:631. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00631
Kyriacou A, Kyriacou A, Makris KC, Syed AA, Perros P.Weight gain following treatment of hyperthyroidism—A forgotten tale.Clin Obes. 2019;9(5). doi:10.1111/cob.12328
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.
Barber TM, Hanson P, Weickert MO, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for pathogenesis and novel management strategies.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119874042. doi:10.1177/1179558119874042
Shi Z, Atlantis E, Taylor AW, Gill TK, Price K, Appleton S, Wong ML, Licinio J.SSRI antidepressant use potentiates weight gain in the context of unhealthy lifestyles: results from a 4-year Australian follow-up study.BMJ Open.2017 Aug 11;7(8):e016224. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016224
Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015 Oct 8;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290
Harvard Medical School.Managing Weight Gain from Psychiatric Medications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Depression and obesity in the U.S. adult household population.
American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?
Papatriantafyllou E, Efthymiou D, Zoumbaneas E, et al.Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. Nutrients. 2022 Apr 8;14(8):1549. doi: 10.3390/nu14081549
Cooper CB, Neufeld EV, Dolezal BA, et al.Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2018 Oct 4;4(1):e000392. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000392
Hanlon EC, Tasali E, Leproult R, Stuhr KL, Doncheck E, de Wit H, Hillard CJ, Van Cauter E.Sleep restriction enhances the daily rhythm of circulating levels of endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol.Sleep. 2016 Mar 1;39(3):653-64. doi:10.5665/sleep.5546
American Psychiatric Association.Treating sleep problems may help prevent depression.
Chopra S, Sharma KA, Ranjan P, Malhotra A, Vikram NK, Kumari A.Weight management module for perimenopausal women: a practical guide for gynecologists.J Midlife Health. 2019;10(4):165-172. doi:10.4103/jmh.JMH_155_19
Baker FC, de Zambotti M, Colrain IM, Bei B.Sleep problems during the menopausal transition: prevalence, impact, and management challenges.Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 Feb 9;10:73-95. doi:10.2147/NSS.S125807
NHS Inform.Signs and symptoms of menopause.
Medline Plus.Cushing disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for obesity.
Ozdemir PG, Karadag AS, Selvi Y, Boysan M, Bilgili SG, Aydin A, Onder S.Assessment of the effects of antihistamine drugs on mood, sleep quality, sleepiness, and dream anxiety.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract.2014 Aug;18(3):161-168. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.907919
American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.
American Cancer Society.Weight changes.
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