Hormones are chemicals in your body that affect body functions. Your hormones regulate everything from your metabolism to your growth. If your hormones are not properly balanced, you can experience a variety of symptoms, one of which is difficulty losing weight, even when you are trying your best. Because hormonal imbalances are often accompanied by other symptoms, assessing your health can help determine if you are experiencing a hormonal imbalance.
Basal Metabolic Rate
Your metabolism is the sum of your body functions and how much energy it takes to power those functions. The basic amount of energy your body needs is known as your basal metabolic rate, or BMR. Hormones, especially your thyroid hormones, control your BMR. If your thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, it is possible that you could gain weight or have trouble losing weight. Excess thyroid hormones means your appetite is increased. This can make it difficult to eat a healthy diet. However, some people with hyperthyroidism lose weight as a result of their condition. The differences vary from person to person.
Menopause
As both men and women age, their bodies begin to make fewer hormones. This is especially noticeable in women, who undergo menopause or the cessation of their menstrual cycle. Women going through menopause produce less estrogen, which can make losing weight difficult. Estrogen changes the way your body stores fat. This particularly affects the abdominal region, causing you to gain weight in your stomach. Also known as visceral fat, stomach fat can be especially dangerous because it gives off hormones off its own. These hormones affect your body's ability to use insulin, which also affects your ability to lose weight. Although weight loss after menopause may be more difficult, it is not impossible.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Similar to menopause, yet affecting younger women, polycystic ovary syndrome causes your pituitary gland to secrete extra hormones that make your body secrete androgens, which are male hormones. An estimated 50 percent of women with polycystic ovary syndrome are overweight. This is because excess androgens can affect your body's ability to use insulin, which increases your blood sugar and makes it more difficult to lose weight. Other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include abnormal menstrual periods, small cysts on your ovaries or a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
When to See a Physician
When you experience symptoms like excess unexplained hunger, thirst or weight gain, a hormonal imbalance could be to blame. Speak to your physician, who can test your hormone levels and test for other metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes that also can affect your ability to lose weight. In some instances, hormone imbalances can be treated with medications to restore hormone function.
Member Comments