Follow a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get good quality sleep; there are so many tips and tricks that claim to be the key to weight loss. This is why when you follow each to a T and still don’t see the results you want, it can be frustrating! But did you know that there are so many other factors that can impact weight loss? That’s right, weight loss journeys can be impacted by a lot more than your diet and activity levels, this includes certain health factors and conditions.
Remember that everybody loses weight at a different rate but if something isn’t quite adding up, there are certain health factors that can make weight loss difficult — here’s everything you need to know about each.
Hormone imbalance
Our hormones are the chemical messengers in our body responsible for numerous important functions, including metabolism, hunger, satiety, and fat distribution — all of which can impact our weight. This is why if your hormone levels are unbalanced, it can make your weight loss journey pretty difficult. There are so many reasons that your hormone levels may be low, high, or generally out of whack, including stress, inadequate nutrition or even getting older. There are also some medical conditions that directly impact hormone levels.
If you suspect that your hormone levels may be affecting your weight, check in from home with LetsGetChecked’s Female Hormone and Male Hormone range for actionable insights.
Thyroid disorder
While on the topic of hormones, we couldn’t forget to mention the thyroid gland and the hormones associated with it: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The main function of each of these hormones is to regulate the metabolism which is why when too much or too little of each is produced by your thyroid, it can impact your weight leading either to unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
Fatigue, shifts in weight, hair loss, and difficulty sleeping are all common symptoms of thyroid issues. If you want to know if a thyroid condition may be affecting your weight loss journey, check your thyroid health with LetsGetChecked’s Thyroid Testing range and get the answers you need.
Stress
It probably comes as no surprise that when you are experiencing stress over a long period of time, it can cause either weight loss or weight gain. In fact, studies show that stress can possibly contribute to changes in dietary behaviors, making weight management, or a weight loss journey, challenging. When we are under stress, our bodies release cortisol. If you find yourself constantly under stress, this stress response will stay switched on and your cortisol levels will remain elevated.
If you are curious about your cortisol levels, LetsGetChecked’s at-home Cortisol Test can measure adrenal performance or stress with online results available within 2-5 days and access to our medical experts every step of the way.
Vitamin deficiency
We know, the importance of following a balanced diet is something that you have heard thousands of times throughout your weight loss journey. However, a healthy diet really is the key to supplying your body with the nutrients it needs to work effectively. This includes keeping your immune system healthy and functioning, your energy levels balanced and regulating your mood — each of which can impact your weight loss journey.
Testing for the most crucial vitamins and minerals is a good way to understand your nutrition and spot any potential areas for improvement. Make sure you are giving your body all the nutrients it needs by testing with LetsGetChecked’s Vitamin and Mineral range so you can take the right next steps for you and your goals.
