2 Key Hormones for Weight Loss in Men
Men, as you are getting older, do you notice that it’s not as easy to keep your weight in check? You still go for a run several days a week and make time for the gym, but you can’t shake off that extra weight. You also eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. So what could have changed?
It could be your hormones. One of the ways to know that you may have a hormone deficiency is when you are doing everything right but not getting the same results you use to. In this case, unexplained weight gain could indicate an underactive thyroid or testosterone deficiency.
2 Key Hormones for Weight Loss in Men
1. Thyroid
Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is a common cause of weight gain because the thyroid gland regulates your metabolism and energy production. With low thyroid function, your metabolism slows down, and you don’t generate as much heat or use as many calories. Excess fluid retention can often be attributed to the poor circulation caused by hypothyroidism, as well.
Research demonstrates that thyroid hormones play an essential role in body weight regulation, mainly through regulating energy expenditure. It is well established that thyroid dysfunction, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, leads to significant changes in body weight and resting metabolic rate. (1)
Research shows that a higher baseline free T3 and free T4 predicted more weight loss. These findings reveal a novel role of thyroid hormones in body weight regulation. (1)
Symptoms of Hypothyoidism
How do you know if you might have hypothyroidism? These common symptoms are a key indicator of low thyroid function:
- Loss of energy (malaise/fatigue)
- Difficulty losing weight
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Enlarged tongue with teeth indentations
- Cold extremities and cold sensitivity
- Cold intolerance
- Difficulty concentrating and short term memory loss
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Joint pain
- Tiredness after a full night’s sleep
- Recurrent and chronic infections
- Decreased mental sharpness, “brain fog”
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Brittle fingernails with ridging
- Low basal body temperature
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- Depression or mood swings
- Constipation
- Menstrual irregularities
- Headaches
- Enlarged thyroid gland
2. Testosterone
As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline. This is why you may find it harder to lose those extra pounds no matter how hard you are working out at the gym.
Research shows that long-term testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency produces significant and sustained weight loss, marked reduction in waist circumference and BMI and improvement in body composition. This is attributed to improved mitochondrial function, increased energy utilization, increased motivation and vigor resulting in improved cardio-metabolic function and enhanced physical activity. Research demonstrates that testosterone decreases body fat around the waist. These findings represent strong foundations for testosterone therapy in obese men with testosterone deficiency. (2)
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Here is a list of common symptoms of a testosterone deficiency:
- Low libido
- Lack of initiative, assertiveness and drive
- Fatigue
- Decline in sense of well-being and self-confidence
- Depressed, irritable moods
- Increased body fat around the waist
- Decline in sexual ability
- Indecisiveness
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Lessened stamina and endurance
- Loss of muscle mass, strength, and tone
- Sleep apnea
- Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts)
We Can Help
If you are having difficulty losing weight even though you are eating healthy and exercising, along with any other symptoms mentioned above, then you owe it to yourself to have your thyroid function and testosterone levels checked. Call us today for a complimentary consultation at 281-698-8698. It’s time to get your old self back!
Research
1 Thyroid Hormones and Changes in Body Weight and Metabolic Parameters in Response to Weight-Loss Diets: The POUNDS LOST Trial
2 Testosterone and Weight Loss: The Evidence
