Obesity And Hormones

Hormones of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pancreas can provoke the appearance of excess deposits

Hormones of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pancreas can provoke the appearance of excess deposits

Everyone knows that excess weight can cause low self-esteem and "help" the development of various diseases. We also know that in order to get rid of excess fat, it is necessary to reduce the number of calories consumed with food and increase their expenditure. This "deprivation process" usually requires significant willpower. But the saddest thing is that sometimes all efforts do not bring results. And a person not only remains at his weight, but also gains additional kilograms. The reasons for such failures can be an incorrectly selected diet, unwillingness to give up "tasty", lack of movement. But sometimes obesity is a consequence of physiological disorders. And in this case, the culprit of failures in attempts to lose weight is disorders in the functioning of the body. One of the common causes of obesitythere is a disturbance in the work of the endocrine system.

Primary and secondary obesity

Experts divide obesity into primary and secondary. With primary obesity, everything is simple. It occurs when more energy enters the body than is expended. This happens when we eat too much and move too little. And this is the most common reason for gaining excess weight.

Secondary obesity occurs on the basis of other diseases and is associated with a disturbance in the work of the endocrine and nervous systems.

Hormones associated with fat deposits

Secondary obesity can be a consequence of endocrine disorders of the most different nature. Among the most important hormones that affect our weight:

• Leptin regulates energy metabolism. This hormone sends signals to the brain about whether to increase or decrease appetite and speed up or slow down metabolism. Produced in fat cells.
• Thyroid hormones. Regulate the rate of metabolism. The lack of these hormones leads to a slowdown in metabolism and deposition of extra pounds.
• Insulin. Produced by the pancreas. It affects the rate of deposition and splitting of fat.
• Adrenal hormones. Cortisol activates the process of creating fats from carbohydrates. In addition, it contributes to the deposition of fats in the area of ​​the face, neck, and abdomen.
• Sex hormones. Both female and male hormones affect the metabolism and deposition of fats. The level of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone is an important indicator when identifying factors that contribute to obesity.

Types of hormonal disorders that lead to obesity

• Hypothyroid obesity occurs due to weakening of the function of the thyroid gland. With hypothyroid obesity, fat is deposited evenly throughout the body.
• Hyperinsular obesity. In this disease, the pancreas produces an excessive amount of insulin. As a result, the level of glucose in the blood decreases, and the appetite increases. In addition, insulin slows down the breakdown of fat. Hyperinsulinemic obesity usually occurs with the formation of a benign tumor of the pancreas - insulinoma.
• Hypercorticism is characterized by excessive production of adrenal hormones, corticosteroids. With this disease, fat is located mainly on the body and face, and the arms and legs remain thin.
• Hypothalamic obesity. This type of obesity occurs when malfunctions occur in the hypothalamus, which changes eating behavior. This disorder usually occurs simultaneously with hypothyroidism or excessive insulin secretion.
• Hyperandrogenism syndrome appears in women when too much male hormones - androgens - are produced in their bodies. Diseases of the nervous system, tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands and other diseases can lead to this.
• A low level of testosterone in men is a common cause of obesity among the strong half of humanity.

And this is far from a complete list of endocrine disorders that can cause obesity.

Signs of endocrine problems

The body can signal an endocrine imbalance with characteristic symptoms, including:

• quick fatigue and slow recovery after physical exertion
• mood swings, depression, tearfulness
• dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss
• poor tolerance of the body to the effects of cold
• feeling of coma in the throat, sand in the eyes and dryness in the mouth
• frequent constipation
• high blood pressure

Such symptoms are not necessarily signs of hormonal disorders. But if they are repeated systematically, and at the same time you are waging an unsuccessful war with excess weight, you should consult an endocrinologist.

Hormone tests

If you suspect that you have hormonal problems, it's time to undergo special examinations that can clarify the situation.

• Take tests that will determine your indicators of fat metabolism: cholesterol, high and low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, etc.
• Check the level of glucose in the blood, the amount of insulin and leptin.
• Take tests for sex hormones.
• Check thyroid hormone levels.

After a comprehensive examination, the doctor will be able to determine whether there are endocrine disorders, and if so, how they affect your figure. Correctly selected treatment will help correct the hormonal background and normalize weight.