The Role of Your Hormones In Weight Loss

Many people don’t realize the significant role hormones play in weight management. Outside of caloric intake, hormones influence hunger, body fat storage, and how many calories you burn. 

At Horizons Wellness Family Health NP LLC, weight loss is a personalized process that considers various aspects of a patient’s health, including hormones. With locations serving the greater Middletown, New York area, Horizons Wellness is committed to delivering exceptional care.

Our team, led by board-certified family nurse practitioner Albalira Gibson-Borrelli, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, specializes in family medicine and mental health and offers medically supervised weight loss programs. We can help identify hidden hormonal imbalances that may be sabotaging your progress and design solutions to correct them.

How hormones impact weight 

Several hormones influence weight gain and loss, often in complex, interconnected ways. Insulin, for example, helps your body manage blood sugar. But when insulin levels are consistently high, often due to insulin resistance, it promotes fat storage and prevents fat burning.

Cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone, can lead to abdominal weight gain when chronically elevated. It’s also linked to emotional eating and sleep disruptions, both of which hinder weight loss. 

Thyroid hormones are another aspect of weight management. When thyroid function is low, metabolism slows dramatically, leading to fatigue and weight gain even with a healthy diet.

Other key hormones include leptin, which signals fullness, and ghrelin, which triggers hunger. Imbalances between the two can lead to constant cravings and difficulty feeling satisfied after meals. 

For women, changes in the levels of key hormones estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause commonly contribute to weight gain and challenges in losing weight. Fat redistribution to the mid-section is also common during this midlife phase.

How a medical weight loss program can help

When you choose Horizons Wellness for medical weight loss, your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes blood work to assess hormone levels, metabolism, and nutritional status. 

If our team identifies a hormonal imbalance, we tailor a treatment plan that may include hormone balance strategies, nutritional counseling, and medications if needed.

In addition to hormone testing, the medical weight loss program includes tools like customized meal plans, guided exercise recommendations, and appetite-regulating medications when appropriate. The team also addresses mental health, providing support for anxiety, depression, or stress, which can all affect hormonal health and eating patterns.

You receive ongoing medical monitoring, so you’re never left navigating your progress alone. And because the team prioritizes long-term results over quick fixes, you’re set up for lasting success.

Your hormones do not have to work against you

If you feel like your body is working against your weight loss goals, it might be time to take a deeper look. Let Horizons Wellness help you get to the root of your weight loss challenges. If your hormones are a factor, we can help bring them back into balance. Contact our team today to request a consultation to move toward a slimmer, more energetic you.