Wednesday 29 July 2009

Reasons A Person May Be Unable To Lose Weight

By Jennifer Kirkman

When a person is trying to lose their weight without any success, sometimes there are underlying reasons. In this article, I'd like to explore what might be behind your inability to take off pounds.

One of the main medical causes for not losing weight is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when you are not producing the correct ammountsa of thyroid hormones. As a result, your ability to metabolize foods normally is very slow. It is usually caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a type of autoimmune thyroiditis where the thyroid gland fails to work. The common symptoms that are recognized in this thyroid disorder are:

1. Weight gain and inability to lose weight

2. Constipation

3. Feeling of depression

4. Cannot handle cold temperatures

5. Losing hair

6. Loss of a sex drive

7. Agitation and moodiness

8. Irregular menstrual cycles

9. Cramps in muscles

10. Pallor of the skin

Diagnosis involves blood tests for thyroid function. If proven, thyroid replacement medications may need to be given. Once treated, you should have better success at weight loss.

Another medical reason for being unable to lose weight is due to some medications which make it difficult, or even cause weight gain. Some oral anti-diabetes drugs tend to do this. Insulin's also tend to make weight loss very difficult for some people. Discuss your medications with your doctor if you are having a weight loss problem due to medicines prescribed.

Metabolic Syndrome is also another reason for weight loss problems. This syndrome type precedes type 2 diabetes. The symptoms associated with Metabolic Syndrome are those such as:

1. Insulin resistance

2. Obesity

3. Lipids are all abnormal

4. Hypertension is commonplace

Metabolic Syndrome is diagnosed by looking at symptoms and doing some blood tests to determine lipid levels, and also doing a fasting blood sugar test.

Doctors will treat this by using some medicines to lower your cholesterol along with a cholesterol-lowering diet. Medications for diabetes will also be prescribed no doubt, and an exercise program.

Another reason for males having an inability to lose their weight is due to testosterone that is too low. This problem can be corrected with oral medications.

Another problem for females and weight loss is sometimes due to PCOS. PCOS, which is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome causes multiple hormonal problems. PCOS is often treated with multiple medications for the problems stemming from the disorder such as diabetes and insulin resistance, abnormal menstrual cycles, and various other ailments. PCOS displays symptoms such as:

1. Irregular menstrual cycles

2. Facial Hair

3. Obesity

4. Depression

5. Scalp Hair Loss

6. Insulin resistance

7. Bouts of Acne

If you are having any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about PCOS. It is usually diagnosed with blood tests that give hormone levels which are usually abnormal, and an ultra-sound that shows multiple cysts on ovaries.

Above all, losing weight isn't easy for anyone to commit to for long periods. But if you have seriously been committed to a good weight loss plan along with exercise and not losing any pounds, it is time for a medical check-up to find out the causes, and getting treated accordingly.

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