Could hormones be the cause of your struggle with weight?

If you have tried an exhausted list of diets without weight loss success, it may be time to look at your hormone levels. Many hormones can interfere with the weight loss process and even cause weight gain. A natural or drug induced imbalance in any of the following hormones may be the answer to your weight conundrum.

Estrogen – Causes an increase in appetite and water retention, thus causing the number on the scale to increase. Many women naturally are estrogen dominant and can balance this hormone through diet therapy. If you are on birth control, make sure the pill contains the right balance of estrogen and progesterone for you or this might be the culprit of the weight plateau.

Testosterone – Helps build muscle and support bone structure. If testosterone levels are too low, metabolism slows down due to decreased muscle mass. Both males and females produce testosterone, although males should have higher levels. As males age, they may experience dipping testosterone levels and pack on some pounds as a result.

Progesterone – Low progesterone, or high estrogen, is a double edged sword. As stated earlier, estrogen can increase weight, and excess weight actually increases estrogen. Fat cells secrete estrogen, making one more estrogen dominant. Therefore, if you are already overweight, it becomes more difficult to keep estrogen and progesterone levels balanced.

Cortisol – Too little or too much cortisol production can lead to weight gain. Cortisol is a stress hormone, so after prolonged periods of stress, cortisol destroys muscles (which are the main calorie burning center of the body), increases appetite and sugar cravings, and cause weight gain in the belly which also leads to insulin resistance and further weight gain. Too little cortisol will not allow the metabolism to be stimulated and leave you feeling sluggish and rundown.

Thyroid – Too little thyroid hormone causes a slow metabolism which effects not only weight, but growth and repair of the body and regulation of key functions. Hair may become unhealthy and fall out, it may be difficult to control body temperature, and sleep may be irregular. A malfunctioning thyroid will put more pressure on the adrenals and other glands, thus leading to irregularities in other metabolic functions.

If you are looking for more answers, consider testing these hormones with your doctor or through our Adrenal Stress Index, which looks at cortisol, progesterone, and insulin, Female or Male Hormone Panel, testing progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen levels.