Challenges with Weight Loss

Although most people in Oak Brook know that eating less and exercising more is the recommended way to lose weight, some people can’t seem to lose weight even when they follow this advice. This may make them more likely to try things like weight loss shakes or weight loss medication. However, difficulty losing weight could be due to medical issues that need to be addressed.

One such issue that can affect as many as 10 percent of all adults is an underactive thyroid. Symptoms of this condition include hair loss, joint pain, fatigue, dry skin, cold sensitivity, muscle weakness and depression. If you have an underactive thyroid, your doctor can prescribe synthetic thyroid hormones to treat this condition.

Some medications can also cause you to put on weight or have trouble losing weight, so you might want to speak to your doctor to see if this is a side effect of any medications you are taking. Steroids and antidepressants are sometimes responsible for this effect, and some birth control pills can cause water weight gain.

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, can also be associated with weight gain, and may cause insulin resistance and lead to diabetes and infertility. Symptoms to look out for include irregular periods, acne, trouble getting pregnant or excess facial or body hair. If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to get tested for this condition.

Finally, sometimes food intolerances can cause water weight gain and bloating. Eggs, soy, gluten, dairy, nuts and corn are often associated with this type of intolerance. Try eliminating them from your diet to see if they help eliminate any bloating, constipation, gas and diarrhea you may be suffering from.

If you have other symptoms besides difficulty losing weight, going to a doctor to be tested for other health problems may help you identify what is interfering with your weight loss, allowing you to treat the underlying condition so you can start losing weight.