Even after strong diet plan and vigorous exercise, you have trouble losing weight.
CHECK YOUR THYROID LEVELS!
Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop.
The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part.
The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland, acts to stimulate hormone production by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is involved in calcium metabolism and stimulating bone cells to add calcium to bone.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.
Nomal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels are between 0.3 to 3.0. If TSH is higher than 3.0 than you have low thyroid or hypothyroid. Sometimes the TSH levels are within range of 0.3 to 3.0 but you might still have hypothyroidism and is know Sub-Clinical Hypothyroidism, in which you have all the symptoms of Low thyroid but normal test reults.
Low thyroid can hinder your weight loss goal.
Women are more prone to thyroid imbalances post preganancy as child uses mother's thyroid hormones for his development leading to depletion of thyroid levels in mother's body.
Thyroid imbalance is not only linited to post preganant women. Young girls or even new born babies can also be affected.
In United States, every new baby born is checked for thyroid hormone levels.
Here is the link where you can get more information on thyroid disease.