Recently a patient once again asked me if hormonal imbalances can cause overweight or conversely overweight can cause hormonal imbalances. Answer: Both can be correct! Thus we have to look closely at each individual case when planning a weight loss therapy.
One of the hormone-induced reasons for overweight could be a lack of thyroid hormones (T3, T4). They play a key role for a healthy energy metabolism. If these hormones are missing the body consumes less energy. In addition, the person concerned feels tired and lethargic – physical inactivity often occurs as a result. Excess energy is then stored quickly in our body in form of fat.
Numerous diseases connected with overweight trace back to hormonal imbalances. Excessive fat depots, for example, cause increased production of the hormones leptin and resistin by the fat cells. In amounts being found in healthy people these hormones are not only responsible for regulation of body weight, they also fulfill important tasks in the immune system. However, if present in excess they enhance immune reactions and therefore they also represent the underlying cause of arthrosis.
With Hormonal Regeneration® (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, BHRT) which is individually adapted to the patient’s requirements the hormonal balance can be restored by suppling the body with the lacking hormones in bioidentical form. Bioidentical hormones are nothing foreign to the body as they correspond to our hormones in their chemical structure.
Often certain hormone levels are increased due to overweight. Fat cells produce the hormone estrogen, which in turn promotes the storage of even more fat – a vicious circle. A gentle liposuction with microcannulas at “problem zones” should be done prior to the therapy with bioidentical hormones and change of lifestyle. Experience shows that then further weight reduction can be managed more easily.
DDr. Heinrich, MD