What is a hormonal imbalance?
Puberty, pregnancy, and aging are examples of hormone levels that naturally fluctuate throughout your life. Research shows that a hormonal imbalance can have a significant impact on metabolism which can lead to notable weight gain.
Hormones play an integral role in maintaining many of the important processes within the body. Hormones are produced and dispersed by your endocrine glands. They act as chemical messengers, which travel through the body within your bloodstream. Hormones act as an important trigger for bodily functions such as metabolism and reproduction.
Hormonal imbalance occurs when you have too much or too little of a specific hormone. Even small changes in hormone levels can critically affect your health. Because hormones play a significant role in regulating your metabolism and the way your body uses energy, hormonal imbalance can cause weight gain.
Hormone disorders that affect your hormone levels — such as Cushing’s Syndrome — can lead to significant weight gain. Hypothyroidism is another condition that disrupts hormone levels and can lead to weight gain.
Other factors such as age may lead to a hormonal imbalance that causes an increase in weight. Hormonal imbalance can interfere with healthy food cues and regulate energy levels. This can eventually lead to significant weight gain and obesity.
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Diagnosing hormonal imbalance
If you are experiencing weight gain or other symptoms of hormonal imbalance, your doctor may diagnose you through a physical exam. They will likely do a blood test to analyze your hormone levels. Sometimes an imaging test, such as an ovarian ultrasound, is used to look for physical indicators of hormonal imbalance.
Your doctor may order additional tests to measure hormone levels, such as a saliva test, a serum test, or a follicle-stimulating hormone test.
Your doctor may schedule regular blood tests and follow-up appointments to monitor your hormone levels and weight control over time.
Treatments for hormonal imbalance
If you have gained weight due to hormonal imbalance, your doctor might recommend specific lifestyle changes or prescribe medication.
Treatments may include:
- Weight loss
- Diet and exercise adjustments
- Hormonal birth control for women
- Blood sugar regulation, such as with the drug metformin
- Hormone therapy
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