Struggling to Lose Weight? Why Your Hormones Could Be to Blame

We have a funny relationship with our hormones throughout our lives. They play a huge role in our teenage years, contributing to largely unwelcome changes like moodiness and acne. As we enter adulthood, our hormones stabilize somewhat. We might not think much about them for a while.

But as we get older or encounter certain illnesses, hormone levels can snap back into focus. That’s particularly true if you’ve been trying to lose weight.  A hormone issue could be to blame if the number on the scale won’t budge even with diligent diet and exercise. 

Ashok Kadambi, MD, FACE, and our team have expertise in the range of hormonal factors that can impact your weight, from thyroid disorders to low testosterone. We integrate all of that knowledge to provide a medically backed weight loss program here at Fort Wayne Endocrinology.

A variety of hormones can impact how much you weigh. Typically, though, when we apply hormone treatment for weight-related issues, the problem lies in one of these two categories. 

Menopause/low testosterone

As we get older, our bodies make less and less of key sex hormones. For women, that’s estrogen and progesterone. The continual drop is what eventually leads them into and through menopause.

For men, the key age-related hormone production issue centers around testosterone. 

These dropping hormone levels impact how your body metabolizes fat. Plus, lower levels can make you more tired and more likely to make poor food choices or skip your workout.

If age-related hormone deficiencies are standing between you and your weight loss goals, visit us. We can specifically integrate hormone replacement therapy into your medically supervised weight loss program. That, paired with diet and exercise guidance and ongoing support from our team, can make all the difference.

Thyroid problems

Your thyroid is a relatively small gland, but it plays a big role in your overall wellness. You may be diagnosed with hypothyroidism if it doesn’t produce enough of its hormones, which can cause mental hurdles like low mood and brain fog, plus physical symptoms like dry skin and hair, cold sensitivity, and muscle weakness.  

On top of all of that, an underperforming thyroid gland can contribute to weight gain. It slows your metabolic rate, causing you to retain salt and water, and potentially gain more weight.  Fortunately, most people who start getting proper care for their thyroid see the weight come off quickly.

We don’t want you to feel stuck on your weight loss journey. For personalized support, including a thorough evaluation of your hormone levels, book your appointment online or contact our Fort Wayne, Indiana, office today.