The important role hormonal imbalances play in weight gain can make individuals who have worked hard over the last few months with no progress confused. Unfortunately, in these cases, healthy eating and exercise alone don't often provide the weight loss results people are looking for. So, if you feel like you've tried everything and the pounds still aren't coming off, keep reading. 

Weight Loss as a Lifestyle

Let me start by saying that this article is not written for those individuals looking for a magic pill. There is absolutely no way to lose weight and keep it off without really doing the work. It is a lifestyle change - watching what you eat (serving sizes, sugar content and calorie intake, increasing fruits and vegetables, eliminating processed foods, etc., etc.), as well as daily aerobic exercise and regular resistance training. These changes are absolutely essential for effective, healthy and sustainable weight loss.

This article targets people who made healthy changes but still struggle to lose weight. It helps those with stress, thyroid issues, diabetes risk, or menopause related weight gain.

The fact is, there are certain conditions or health states that make weight loss extremely difficult. If these underlying issues and imbalances are not addressed, healthy and sustainable weight loss may continue to elude you. Let's begin with the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone.

What Hormonal Imbalances Impact Weight Loss?

Thyroid Hormone Deficiency

The thyroid gland is one of the body's largest endocrine glands. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism. These hormones affect every cell in the body. Imbalances can cause a wide range of symptoms. Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroid hormone levels become too low. This condition affects many people in North America. It affects 20-25% of women and 10% of men. Adults over the age of 35 face a higher risk.

Common hypothyroidism symptoms include:

  • Cold Intolerance
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Dry Skin
  • Insomnia
  • Weight Gain

Diagnosis can be challenging because many people show normal TSH levels. TSH regulates T4 and active T3 production. Symptoms may apprear when TSH reaches 2.0. However, doctors generally diagnose hypothyroidusm when TSH exceeds 5.5. As a result, many people remain untreated despite experiencing symptms.

Seeing as there is an obvious overlap between common complaints of menopause and the symptoms of hypothyroidism, I want to call special attention to women in this group. Many menopausal or post menopausal women are treated with estrogen, assuming a decline in this hormone is responsible for the symptoms they are experiencing. The problem here is that estrogen further works to shut down the thyroid, even if there were no preexisting thyroid condition. Doctors often attribute symptoms to menopause when estrogen treatment is not used. This approach can overlook underlying thyroid issues.

As I have mentioned, low thyroid function means difficulties with metabolism, including fat metabolism. One of the many functions of these hormones is to stimulate fat cells to burn. If the thyroid is not working optimally, weight problems inevitably result. With some thyroid specific supplementation, or even medication when necessary, and some further diet and lifestyle recommendations to support optimal thyroid function, we can address these deficiencies and help to reverse this weight gain. Ask about supplements such as tyrosine, ashwaganda, guggul and even how a multi-vitamin can help to support healthy thyroid function.

Cortisol Imbalance

Also very closely linked to thyroid function is adrenal function. If you have low thyroid function, it promotes stress on the adrenals and vice versa (if your adrenals are exhausted, low thyroid hormone will result). The adrenal glands are in charge of producing cortisol, along with a number of other hormones. Cortisol is otherwise known as the stress hormone, as it is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It helps us to cope with long term stress by converting protein in our body to energy. Cortisol is meant to peak early in the morning and slowly decrease as the day goes on. In this day and age, this 'normal' pattern is rarely the case, and prolonged elevation of cortisol (either in peaks and valleys throughout the day, overall high levels, or high levels at night) can lead to weight gain, as well as low energy, compromised immune function, bone loss and even memory problems. Alternatively, adrenal exhaustion or low adrenal function can occur when the gland wears out from overwork and constant production of cortisol due to stress.

Similar to constantly high cortisol, the symptoms of adrenal dysfunction include insomnia, low energy, poor concentration, mood changes, digestive problems, cravings for salt, sugar, and junk food and weight gain or fat accumulation. While exercise and nutrition support healthy weight loss, cortisol imbalances can hinder results. Making it difficult to maintain your weight loss. Ask about supplements such as rhodiola, relora, ashwaganda, eleutherococcus and B vitamins, and how they can all help to regulate cortisol levels.

Insulin & Blood Sugar Regulation

The last hormone I'd like to mention in terms of its effect on weight is insulin. In Type II diabetics, although the pancreas may produce slightly low or normal amounts of insulin to start, the peripheral organs become resistant to insulin's effects. The body interprets this lack of effect as a need for more insulin, and we start pumping out too much, leading to increased weight gain and fat storage. I will also say, as an aside, that it works the other way as well. Weight gain or excess weight is one of the best predictors of diabetes. Excess weight will eventually cause insulin resistance, putting all overweight individuals at a higher risk for developing diabetes (often referred to as prediabetic), as well as cancer and heart disease.

Type II diabetes used to be a disease that affected individuals over 40, but we are now increasingly seeing it more in young children, as well. Perhaps this coincides with the fact that the average weight of this population is increasing, as well. Exercise and a healthy diet remain essential. Additional support for blood sugar, fiber intake, and insulin sensitivity may improve weight loss. Supplements such as chromium, holy basil, alpha lipoic acid, bitter melon and magnesium can help in reducing and regulating blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

Final Thoughts on Hormonal Imbalances & Weight Loss

I encourage you to talk to your doctor or naturopath if you are concerned that some or all of these issues may be affecting you. Have some of these hormone levels assessed and start supporting healthy hormone balance as a means to live healthier and potentially lose that stubborn weight that typical diet and exercise routines have been unable to address.