An underactive thyroid can also result in puffiness, swelling, and fluid retention. Hyperthyroidism generally results in weight loss making it less likely to cause a double chin. However, hyperthyroidism can be associated with thyroid swelling (goiter), which could create the appearance of a double chin.
There are various medical conditions that may contribute to a double chin. Some of these include an underactive thyroid, Cushing's disease, kidney disorders, salivary gland inflammation and a sinus infection.
A lack of thyroid hormone can be associated with facial swelling, though not everyone with hypothyroidism experiences this symptom. Facial puffiness is most common in advanced hypothyroidism. It usually accompanies other changes in a person's appearance, including a change in skin texture and tone.
A swelling or enlargement in the neck is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goiter may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid.
An underactive thyroid can also result in puffiness, swelling, and fluid retention. Hyperthyroidism generally results in weight loss making it less likely to cause a double chin. However, hyperthyroidism can be associated with thyroid swelling (goiter), which could create the appearance of a double chin.
Fatty Foods Such as Butter, Meat, and All Things Fried
Fats may also interfere with the thyroid's ability to produce hormone as well. Some healthcare professionals recommend that you cut out all fried foods and reduce your intake of fats from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat.
Generally, people begin to notice weight loss about three to six months after hitting a therapeutic dose of their medication. People lose about five to ten pounds on thyroid medication or less than 10% of their body weight.
If an underactive thyroid is not treated
It's unlikely that you'd have many of the later symptoms of an underactive thyroid, because the condition is often identified before more serious symptoms appear. Later symptoms of an underactive thyroid include: a low-pitched and hoarse voice. a puffy-looking face.
Skin changes
In hypothyroidism, the time it takes for the skin cells to turn over increases. Because of this, your old cells stay on your skin longer. This will cause your skin to start feeling dry, rough, and scaly. You may start to notice wrinkles appearing or your skin starting to sag.
With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.
Excess Fat
Probably the most common cause of a double chin is simply a general excess of fat. When you gain weight, the tendency is to see fat deposited all across the body, and unfortunately, that includes in the face and under the chin.
If you have a double chin despite being skinny, your body just happens to genetically store extra fat around the jawline. There's really nothing unusual about it, but it does present a challenge in that your chin fat is much harder to target through diet and exercise alone.
Low levels of vitamin K2 result in calcification of elastin, the cause of double chins, piles and varicose veins.
Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism, making it more difficult to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy body weight.
Weight gain
Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body.
Thyroid hormones have been used as a weight loss tool in the past. Many studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone treatment can help produce more weight loss than can be achieved by dieting alone. However, once the excess thyroid hormone is stopped, the excess weight loss is usually regained.
Caffeine speeds up your metabolism¹. This can cause temporary relief of hypothyroid symptoms, but can also potentially put more stress on your thyroid. If you have hyperthyroid, then caffeine can make your symptoms worse.
Walking. Walking is the easiest and best exercise for thyroid patients to lose weight. It is a low-impact exercise that individuals suffering from hypothyroidism can do anywhere. Walking improves cardiac health and has potential mood-boosting benefits (including depression and fatigue).
Cruciferous Vegetables
Avoid eating broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and cauliflower if you have thyroid issues. According to a study, these veggies may prevent the thyroid from using iodine, which is necessary for healthy thyroid function, when they get digested.
Additionally, reducing your sodium intake and avoiding starchy carbs – especially the processed carbs like crackers and chips – will go a long way toward easing water retention. It's also recommended that you up your citrus intake, because they're a natural diuretic that rids the body of excess water.
The causes for this can be anything from water retention to more serious causes such as hormonal, thyroid or gland problems. Or, it could simply be genetic, some people are genetically predisposed to the appearance of neck fat.