ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Bioidentical hormones? How does it help with weight loss? Did anything help? You’re eating healthy and exercising, right? If you’re still gaining weight, it could be your metabolism. Your metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories for energy. This is influenced by your hormones.

Well Life ABQ, a direct primary care provider in Albuquerque may help you if you have trouble losing weight. You may call us at 505 585 2345.

7 Causes of Weight Gain Despite a Healthy Diet and Exercise

Weight gain can be caused by hormonal disorders, imbalances, and other factors.

1. Hypothyroidism: Weight gain can be caused by hormonal imbalance due to thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism is linked to modest weight gain. It happens when less thyroid hormone is produced by your body. As your body makes less thyroxine, your metabolism slows down. You gain weight as your body won’t burn calories fast and you amass water and salt. 
   
   
2. Cushing syndrome: Cushing syndrome is another disorder when your body has long-term exposure to the hormone cortisol. Cortisol regulates the way your body metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. Too much cortisol leads to fatty tissue deposits or weight gain. It’s visible as a moon face, buffalo hump, and big belly.  Cushings is a severe form of cortisol dysregulation.  Even mild to moderate forms of cortisol dysregulation can cause weight gain.
   
   
3. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: It’s a fairly common autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s thyroid. Hypothyroidism can be a result. Thyroiditis can also damage the immune system.
   
   
4. Testosterone: In men, too much testosterone may lead to weight gain. This may be due to increased appetite. But low levels of testosterone also cause weight gain, specifically belly fat. This happens when body fat through an enzyme, changes testosterone into estrogen. The estrogen causes low testosterone production that creates belly fat. 
   
   
5. Menopause: Menopausal obesity happens as you age. Weight gain can be due to menopause when your metabolism slows down. It’s associated with declining levels of hormones like estrogen and dehydroepiandrosterone. Your body eventually tries to make more estrogen in the form of estrone. Estrone is found in your body’s fat cells. This estrone causes you to gain weight, especially in the waist.  
   
   Menopausal weight gain is related to many factors that aren’t hormonal. These factors include aging, lifestyle, diet, and genetic factors. Women tend to gain weight as they age, particularly in the waist or belly.
   
   Obesity can also be due to changing lifestyles as women grow older. They opt for slower-paced activities. Diet contributes also and more food intake leads to obesity. Let us not forget about genetic background. You may inherit the genes from your family who’re overweight.
   

6. Endometriosis: It’s a condition when the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can spread to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which causes severe pain. In this case, estrogen levels are high while progesterone levels are low. Estrogen and its other form estrone have been linked to weight gain. 
   
   
7. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Women with PCOS have excess male hormones or androgen. They are also insulin-resistant, which is a risk for type II diabetes and heart disease. Weight gain is one of its symptoms.

Hormone-Balancing and Replacement Therapy and Weight Loss

Studies have been conducted on the effect of hormone replacement therapy on weight. These studies show promising results. Hormone replacement therapy though does not make you lose weight quickly. It increases your metabolism which aids in weight loss and enhances your endocrine function.

• A study shows that combined hormone replacement therapy was effective in preventing weight gain among obese menopausal women. The hormone therapy also improved bad cholesterol profile, insulin response, and energy use.
  
  
• For early postmenopausal women, hormone therapy reduced weight gain. It has been observed to be apparent at the waist. But women under estrogen therapy who smoke cigarettes may not lose weight. Furthermore, women who smoke should be extremely cautious about estrogen therapy as both increase risk of clots that can lead to stroke.
  
  
• A study reveals testosterone therapy as effective in weight loss for obese men with low testosterone. It can be an added therapy for weight management. This is for obese men with low production of sex hormones and erectile dysfunction.  It would be less effective or not effective in men that already have a normal level of testosterone.

Leptin Hormone and Weight Loss

Your fat tissue produces the hormone leptin. It plays a role in regulating your weight. Leptin signals the brain if you have just the right amount of adipose in your body. If you have enough fat, leptin tells your brain to stop eating. This results in a normal rate of burning calories. 

Leptin levels decrease when you are short on food or starving. If you are low on fat and in starvation mode, your brain signals you to eat more food. This results in a slower rate of burning calories.

Leptin though works differently among overweight people. A study shows that leptin levels are higher in obese people than those with normal weight. Leptin resistance happens when you have high levels of leptin, but your brain doesn’t know it. Instead of feeling full, you continue to feel hungry and eat more. Thus, leptin supplements don’t work for weight loss among obese people.

Difference Between Synthetic/Traditional HRT and Bioidentical HRT 

• Synthetic HRT: Synthetic HRT is an earlier version of hormone replacement therapy. Hence, it’s also called traditional. These drugs come from a mix of synthetic hormones that imitate the body’s natural hormones. It only comes in standard doses.
  
  
• Bioidentical HRT: These are dubbed as “precise duplicates” of hormones. These hormones include estriol, estrone, estradiol, micronized progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA.  These are the natural equivalents of endogenous hormones produced in the body.

They are considered natural since they’re synthesized from soy or yam. They can be used by men and women. Bioidentical HRT may be customized based on your required dose.

5 Truths about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

1. Hormone replacement therapy and weight loss

Hormone replacement therapy works by restoring the natural balance of hormones before menopause. It helps your body return to its normal metabolic state.  Thus your balance of calories and activity return to a somewhat normal state.    Hormone replacement therapy doesn’t cause weight gain based on a study. Some regimens are shown to help prevent a buildup of fat mass and redistribution.  Hormone replacement therapy is not a magic pill, but previous efforts at losing weight or maintaining weight should be effective.

2. Bioidentical hormones may be safe.

A review of scientific journals reveals that bioidentical hormones have lower risks compared to synthetic hormones. These risks include breast cancer and heart disease. The review also suggested that bioidentical hormones are more effective than synthetic ones. 

According to the FDA, there’s no evidence to suggest that bioidentical is safer than synthetic hormones. Both hormones have components that are natural or sourced from plants and animals. Bioidentical hormones go through a commercial process, even if they’re not synthesized in a lab.  We respectfully disagree and studies back us up.

A study concluded that all hormone replacement therapies are safe and effective. The administration of estrogen and natural progesterone may actually lower the risk of breast cancer.

3. Bioidentical hormones may be tolerated by your body.

Bioidentical hormones are compounded medications prepared by pharmacists based on your individual needs and symptoms. The dosage, strength, and delivery are individually customized.

4. Saliva, Blood, and Urine Testing

Each form of testing has advantages and disadvantages.  Blood levels remain the gold standard, but other forms of testing can illuminate other areas of hormone balancing need.  Urine testing, by Precision Analytical, is quite advanced.  This test helps us better understand HOW YOU metabolize hormones which can be very helpful in your overall treatment plan and safety.

5. FDA approved some bioidentical hormones.

Not all bioidentical hormones have undergone clinical trials and scientific scrutiny. Estrogen from plant sources is available in creams, gels, pills, patches, sprays, and vaginal tablets. The preparations are carefully formulated and controlled. The FDA approved a list of bioidentical hormones, such as progesterone. It comes in vaginal progesterone gel and oral micronized progesterone in oil.

A study concluded that FDA-approved bioidentical hormones may be preferred over standard hormone replacement. These bioidentical hormones – estriol, estradiol, and progesterone are beneficial and safe.  FDA approved versions have limited dosing options.Pellets contain hormones as a method of delivery. Unlike creams and orals forms, pellets have a consistent and sustained release of hormones. The procedure to insert the pellet into your buttocks takes only about 15 minutes. This route bypasses your stomach and intestines, which also avoids potential side effects.

The pellet naturally dissolves as the hormone is absorbed by your body. No residue is left. So, you get a new pellet insertion  3 to 4 times in a year. It takes 5 to 10 days after insertion for the hormone to start taking effect. The effect depends on the person. Some people report relief of symptoms in 1 to 2 weeks. 

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy works to combat many conditions linked to aging. Common symptoms include fatigue, sleep problems, brain fog, loss of sex drive, and weight gain. 

Obesity and overweight in the US is 42.4% in 2017-2018.  It’s highest among 40- to 59-year-old adults at 44.8%. This is followed by older adults 60 and above at 42.8%. Do you belong to any of these age groups?  Are you struggling with weight loss? Coupled with a consistent diet and exercise plan, we can help you.

A Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Pellet Therapy Near You

For more questions about Bioidentical hormone replacement pellet therapy, call us at Well Life ABQ, We’re a direct primary care provider in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We provide primary care and hormone replacement options and more. Call 505 585 2345 for more information!