Some people are capable of losing weight easily. But for some people, their weight loss efforts remain futile not because they lack the discipline to aid their journey. Sometimes, they have unknown medical conditions that stop them from losing weight.
Some people have a slow metabolism. No matter how much time they spend exercising each day, they still end up gaining weight. Even with a proper diet, they are having a hard time achieving their desired weight.
If this sounds like a problem you or a loved one is currently facing, you might also have a slow metabolism. Consulting your doctor is the best way to check if you have a certain medical condition that is the culprit behind your slow metabolism. Here are five common medical reasons why some people have a hard time losing weight.
Thyroid Disorder
Your thyroid gland is responsible for producing several hormones. All hormones regulate different processes in your body. Some people have an overactive thyroid, while others have underactive thyroid glands.
When you have hypothyroidism disorder, your thyroid glands fail to produce enough thyroid hormone. This is the type of hormone responsible for bone maintenance, brain development, and other functions, including your muscle and digestive function. With a poor performing thyroid, even your metabolism slows down.
Other symptoms of an underactive thyroid are constipation, depression, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain. With all these symptoms combined, you will really have a hard time losing weight. The standard treatment for this condition is levothyroxine.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Hormonal changes are common in women. Some ladies experience extreme hormonal imbalance. This results in irregular menstrual cycles, acne problems, difficulty having a baby, and even unexplained weight gain.
Polycystic ovary syndrome causes a woman’s ovary to produce lots of male sex hormones. This causes them to easily gain weight around the middle. This also makes it harder for them to lose weight since all the hormonal imbalance stops your metabolism from working fast.
If diagnosed with PCOS, doctors often recommend progestin therapy along with combination birth control pills. You are also expected to undergo lifestyle changes to aid in weight loss. You will need to stay active, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and limit your carbohydrate intake.
Type 2 Diabetes
Being obese or overweight puts you at risk for developing Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes happens when the body is incapable of producing just enough insulin levels. This results in high levels of glucose, also known as blood sugar.
Glucose is an energy source we get from eating carbohydrates. Insulin helps push glucose out of the blood so that it can go to the cells where these will be used. Note that insulin also promotes fat storage.
Since the body keeps on producing insulin, you keep on gaining weight. To manage Type 2 diabetes, doctors recommend continuous blood sugar monitoring. Patients must start eating healthily, exercise regularly, lose some weight, and undergo possible insulin therapy or diabetes medication.
Cushing’s Syndrome
The adrenal system is responsible for producing the cortisol hormone. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone. This helps the body respond to stress.
When you have Cushing’s disease, your body can’t help but produce excessive amounts of cortisol. When this happens, your metabolism slows down, causing significant weight gain. Most of the time, this is caused by long-term use of steroids and pituitary adenoma or a benign tumor in the pituitary gland.
Doctors treat Cushing’s syndrome depending on the cause. Surgical tumor removal is recommended if the cause is a pituitary adenoma. For other reasons, doctors recommend ketoconazole.
Low Testosterone Levels
Males with low testosterone levels often have a hard time losing weight. This is since this hormone alters the metabolism. This consequently affects your ability to lose weight.
Many things can cause low testosterone levels. For one, using anabolic steroids for long periods of time can reduce your ability to produce testosterone. Other causes include pituitary tumors, obesity, and chemotherapy.
You must consult your doctor if you suspect your body is producing low testosterone levels. They can help you find the cause of your condition. They may even recommend hormone supplements to aid testosterone production or other intervention if necessary.
Slow metabolism is usually the reason why many people find it hard to lose those extra pounds. More often than not, this is caused by an underlying medical condition. Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor to rule out any medical condition so you can start your weight-loss journey the healthy way.