Is Hormone Imbalance the Real Reason You Can’t Lose Weight?

Many individuals share similar experiences of frustration with their weight loss efforts. They may monitor what they eat, consistently exercise, yet find that they cannot lose a pound. Many people say they have tried “everything right”, but progress continues to be stalled. While the issue may appear to lie in your determination and diet, there could be deeper problems at play that are obscured. Your hormone levels may be imbalanced, creating an environment where your body is unable to effectively metabolize energy leading to increased cravings, fat storage and metabolic slowing which creates a challenging environment for anyone attempting to lose weight.

What Are Hormones and How Do They Affect Weight?

Hormones play a significant role in your ability to maintain a healthy weight through weight control. A broad spectrum of chemical substances moves throughout your body via the circulatory system to create the legal forms of growth (anabolic), sleep (melatonin), mood (serotonin), and metabolic hormones (insulin). When one or more of these hormones become unregulated, or when there are too many of the incorrect type, a series of events will occur within you that will cause weight to accumulate or not to be lost, depending upon the imbalance.

A look at the important hormones that affect weight management and body fat distribution would be beneficial.

Insulin- Is responsible for the production and effects of blood glucose (sugar). Any excessive or reduced production of these chemical results in a significant increase in the amount of fat the body produces as well as the difficulty in metabolizing it with respect to insulin.

Cortisol– Cortisol is the hormone of stress, and an excess of this chemical will result in the development of fat around the waistline. This chemical is responsible for the storage of fat in the abdominal region.

Thyroid hormones T3 and T4- These hormones are what determine your basal level or the speed of your metabolism in regards to how much food you can burn per hour.

Leptin

Leptin is the chemical which tells your brain that you are satiated. If you have developed a decreased sensitivity to leptin, then this will result in a continual hunger and will encourage you to consume excessively over time.

Ghrelin

Ghrelin is the chemical that tells your body to eat more than you normally would. If you suffer an imbalance of ghrelin, then it therefore has the inverse effect as it creates a relatively continuous feeling of hunger without producing any appetite.

Estrogens and testosterone– These are referred to as sex hormones. These hormones dictate the distribution of body fat and muscle mass in both men and women and how that will change with time as they age.

Your Hormones May Be Out of Balance If You Have

If you think your hormones might be affecting your health, watch for the following common signs that frequently occur together with your weight plateau:

• Unexplained weight gain or inability to lose weight, despite following a diet and exercising regularly.
• Chronic fatigue and low energy throughout the day, even though they are well-rested at bedtime
• Strong desire for sweets and other refined carbohydrates
• Emotional fluctuations, anxiety and irritability
• Wonky periods and/or severe pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms (women only)
• Low sexual desire or performance issues
• Loss of hair, difficulty with focuses and/or sleep issues

How to Test and Treat Your Hormonal Imbalances?

Once you have identified the symptoms mentioned above, the next step is to consult a qualified medical professional for further assistance. A qualified medical professional can request the necessary tests to assess your hormone levels:

Important Tests to Consider: Fasting Insulin and Glucose (to calculate HOMA-IR), Comprehensive Thyroid, TSH and Free T3 and Free T4, and cortisol.

Specific Hormonal Treatment Plans: Hormonal replacement therapy (bio-identical or “BHRT”), vitamin/micro minerals.

Dietary changes and treatments that improve your body’s insulin sensitivity or reduce chronic stress can help your systems normalize.

Hormones That Impair Weight Management

Weight management is not just about creating a calorie deficit but rather how a person interacts with their body through the hormones that regulate the metabolic process. When hormone levels are not in balance, six hormones can trigger the increasing occurrence of fat storage and suppress metabolic activity to such an extent that weight loss appears impossible.

A. Thyroid Hormones (T3 & T4): The Metabolic Engine

T3 (Tri-iodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine) are the thyroid hormones produced by the Thyroid Gland. The Thyroid hormones are the primary Hormones that regulate the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). When a person has a low Thyroid release (Hypothyroidism), the amount of T3 and T4 released from the Thyroid decreases significantly, causing a person to burn fewer calories at rest to maintain normal bodily functions. The slow Metabolism is the primary reason for unexpected weight gains along with fatigue and a person’s inability to tolerate cold temperatures.

B. Insulin: Commander of Fat Storage

Insulin is responsible for allowing the glucose produced during digestion to enter the muscle and store it as energy. The excessive intake of refined Carbohydrates and sugar over a long period of time can cause an individual to develop Insulin Resistance, a condition where the cells will not respond to the Insulin’s signal that allows glucose to enter the cell.

As a result, the body must produce greater amounts of Insulin, which forces the liver and fat cells to store energy in significant excesses. Increasing amounts of Insulin result in increased amounts of Visceral Fat (Belly Fat) because Insulin keeps fat available to the body from being able to access that stored fat for energy.

C. Estrogen and progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone contribute significantly to women’s body fat distribution and emotional well-being. Changes in hormone levels can occur as PMS, in perimenopause, through menopause, etc. Low levels of estrogen during menopause will tend to redistribute body fat from hips/thighs to stomach while stimulating additional appetite and mood changes, while changing progesterone levels affects sleep and water retention.

D. Testosterone

Testosterone is important for both genders to help preserve muscle mass. Those who are deficient in this hormone typically suffer greater muscular deterioration. Since muscle is active tissue, it consumes more calories (even when at rest) than does fat; therefore, having less muscular tissue translates directly to having a slower metabolism, and maintaining your weight will be more challenging.

E. Ghrelin and Leptin

Ghrelin is one of the two hormones involved in regulating appetite, and Leptin is known to signal satiety to the brain. Ghrelin provides a signal to eat, while Leptin provides signals to stop eating. Individuals who experience Leptin Resistance (which often accompanies obesity) stop receiving the signals of fullness that are associated with high amounts of Leptin; thereby developing a chronic and excessive appetite, rendering any calorie control efforts ineffective.

How Hormone Imbalance Can Block Weight Loss?

Hormonal imbalance not only impacts one system or process in the body, but instead creates a cycle in the metabolic system of the body that fights against weight loss due to slowing down of metabolism resulting from low levels of thyroid hormone, or from reduction of muscle mass due to decreased levels of testosterone hormone.

When the metabolic system slows down, we burn fewer calories at rest and, at the same time, when glucose levels are high and cortisol levels are chronically elevated, then we store fat as opposed to burning it, and this fat is especially concentrated in our mid-section so that these reserves cannot be utilized as energy.

 In addition to the fact that our bodies are fighting for survival because our metabolisms have slowed down and we are storing fat instead of using it, the intense cravings associated with the metabolic disruption due to high levels of leptin resistance and/or chronic high levels of cortisol override our willpower and cause us to eat more than we need.

When our bodies are struggling to maintain energy because of a slow metabolism and increased amounts of stored fat, they will have less energy to be physically active, therefore resulting in decreased amounts of calories being burned.

The hormonal changes caused by hormonal imbalances often lead to poor sleep, which contributes to the further elevation of cortisol levels and an increase in insulin sensitivity, and therefore making the hormonal disruption more severe and exponentially more difficult to regulate for weight loss.

How to Know if Your Hormones Are the Problem?

The first step to diagnosing hormonal problems is to track your symptoms. Before seeing your doctor, you should start keeping track of the following things daily:

• Energy levels
• Mental clarity
• Body temperature even if you are experiencing changes in your menstrual cycle or are having difficulty with PMS (cramps, headaches) or going through menopause
• When you have cravings for food such as sweets, salty foods or processed carbohydrates,
• How well you are sleeping and whether or not you are experiencing difficulty getting to sleep or remaining asleep.

Medical Assessment & Testing

Blood tests and a complete physical exam are two necessary components to allow medical professionals to verify the presence of a hormonal imbalance. Based on a medical provider’s order, labs can evaluate blood samples obtained through the ordering physician for evaluation of hormone levels and other metabolic indicators.

The Value of Testing

Advanced testing for hormones and metabolic disturbances through blood draws and thorough evaluations by healthcare providers are the only definitive methods to ascertain the nature and extent of hormonal imbalance (ex. HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance, Thyroid Disorders, Cortisol Deregulations).

Common Tests to Consider

Fasting Insulin/Glucose (allowing for calculation of HOMA-IR) Comprehensive thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4 and antibodies) Cortisol Testing (frequently uses a four-point Salivary Test to monitor and evaluate Cortisol levels over 24 hours).

Personalized Treatment

Following identification of hormonal imbalances, an individualized treatment protocol can then be developed, which may include Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) or additional nutritional supplementation, with the intent of restoring normal body chemistry thereby encouraging weight loss.

Effective Ways to Rebalance Hormones

To achieve hormonal balance, a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach is necessary. This begins by establishing a foundation with several basic lifestyle modifications. Specifically, it is important to prioritize 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help control insulin and cortisol levels, to introduce strength training to increase both your testosterone and metabolism through increased muscle mass, to process stress management techniques that will help alleviate chronic cortisol elevations and balance your blood sugar levels through healthy fats, proteins and high fiber diets to increase insulin sensitivity.

For those who have more complex or significant imbalances, it may be necessary to seek out specialized medical assistance, including but not limited to, age-related Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for both men and women and the administration of thyroid medications to treat hypothyroidism and insulin resistance. Additionally, individuals may want to consider modern prescription weight loss medications that effect hormones that control hunger and appetite.

Furthermore, utilizing a medical professional’s expertise and knowledge regarding supplementation is beneficial in many ways. Many supplements may act as supportive co-factor nutrients such as Vitamin D which has been found helpful for maintaining general endocrine health; Omega-3 Fatty Acids which may aid in reducing inflammation (a significant factor contributing to insulin resistance); and adaptogens such as ashwagandha, which aids individuals in managing cortisol levels and stress.

Assessments through Medical Professionals

Lifestyle modifications form the foundation of healthy hormone production; however there are specific assessments and tests available through medical professionals to identify hormone imbalances. If you have tried all recommended lifestyle changes over an extended period of time (fatigue, mood fluctuations, and sleep problems for several months), and see no improvement with those lifestyle changes, it may be time to consult a professional.

Also, if you are experiencing an unexplained/rapid weight gain and/or any of the other concerning signs, including but not limited to hair loss or temperature regulation issues combined with weight gain—this could be an indication of a serious metabolic/hormonal disorder, and should also prompt medical evaluation.

Physical Examination and Evaluation

In addition, if you suspect that you are experiencing hormonal dysfunction based on your persistent low energy level, as well as digestive problems and/or difficulty maintaining a normal body temperature, you will need to have a thorough physical examination and evaluation to confirm/detect, as well as treat, the underlying medical conditions (for example: hypothyroidism and/or significant insulin resistance) that are causing these symptoms. Thus it is imperative that we stop trying to “fight the biological war,” alone.

Conclusion

The fight against weight gain can sometimes seem like an endless battle when nothing but traditional approaches are applied. The chances are high that hormone imbalance is the primary cause of the heavy struggle for losing weight if you are among those who have been counting calories, working out hard, and still not getting any results. The processes that take place inside your body in the form of chemical changes keep your body in a condition where fat is stored, and this happens irrespective of the efforts you put in. However, the good news is that the biological barrier will not hinder you any longer. With the right approach—concerned initially with specialized testing to pinpoint with precision the specific hormone that is the source of the problem, and then with a personalized treatment plan—one can hope to lose weight in a sustainable way.