Can’t Lose Weight – Try These

If you’ve hit a wall with your health and have tried everything under the sun; diet, exercise, nervous system resetting, and lifestyle changes but STILL haven’t noticed any weight loss, this post is for you.

*If you haven’t read our last blog post, read it here and then return to this one, so it all makes sense.*

In our post today we are going to talk about stubborn weight and what to do. Sometimes, our body doesn’t want to budge no matter what we do. Stubborn weight can signify something bigger going on systemically, which may require additional testing.

Here are some – not all – of the tests that can help bring some clarity.

1. Bloodwork Request that your physician get some bloodwork done to look for inflammatory markers. They will know which markers to look for regarding how your system performs.
2. Thyroid Your thyroid is small but mighty, and when it is imbalanced, it wreaks terrible havoc on your entire system. Yes, weight gain and/or inability to lose weight is a symptom!
3. Stool test A stool test will help show what is happening in your gut. Your gut runs the show. Having too much of a bad bacteria in your gut can cause uncontrollable food cravings and weight gain. We don’t like to use “willpower” because there really is no such thing. Finding out what is going on in your gut may help clarify why the weight won’t budge.
4. Insulin and blood sugar Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are becoming increasingly popular these days, with companies like Nutrisense, Freestyle Libre, and Levels. Blood sugar has almost everything to do with your health and how healthy you will be as you get older. But, blood sugar isn’t the only cast member in the show. Insulin plays a huge role as well. Getting a fasting insulin test to see where your insulin levels are first thing in the morning AND another test after a carb-rich meal, is key to checking in on your blood sugar/insulin levels. Your blood sugar levels could be normal, but your insulin could be high. We want both to be at healthy levels. Wearing your CGM and checking your insulin will help you get there.
5. A1C Your A1C is a measurement of your blood sugar levels over a 2-3 month period. Having this checked can determine whether you are prediabetic, diabetic, or in the clear. This test is something everyone should get whether they feel healthy or not. Having diabetes doesn’t mean that you are morbidly obese. You can be fit and still have diabetes.
6. Cortisol Cortisol is one of a handful of hormones secreted under physical and mental stress. When cortisol levels are too high for a prolonged period, it blocks your body’s ability to process blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. Cortisol stops blood glucose from being driven into your tissues. When you can’t process your blood glucose for an extended period of time, that can result in stubborn weight, particularly around the middle, aka belly fat. Having a 24-hour cortisol test may offer insights into your cortisol levels throughout the day and how to manage it.
7. PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The name of this diagnosis is very misleading. This does not mean that you have cysts on your ovaries. Allow us to explain. For example: In those without PCOS, during a specific time in their cycle, their follicles, which hold their eggs, mature and burst to release an egg. This process is called ovulation. When you have PCOS, those follicles don’t mature as quickly and don’t release an egg at the same rate as someone without PCOS. PCOS causes a host of symptoms, weight gain, depression, anxiety, hair loss in the places you want hair and hair growth in the areas you don’t want hair, cystic acne – particularly around the jawline – and the list goes on. Your doctor can order you an ultrasound and bloodwork, which can help determine if you have PCOS. PCOS is incredibly common and is getting increasingly more common with the availability of tests. If you find out that you have PCOS, reach out to us at the email listed below. We are here to help.
8. Hormone testing Sometimes you can’t out-eat or out-exercise your hormones. While yes, food influences hormones greatly, getting tested and seeing where your hormone levels are will give you the ammo you need to make more precise and healthier decisions for balancing them.

While there are many other tests you can take, the test we’ve shared above should be enough to get you started. These tests offer great insights into everyone’s health, and having these as a part of your general lab workups once a year is fantastic.

If you have more questions about these test or want to schedule an appointment to discuss these further, please email us at contact@drerikahorowitz.com.

Be well!

Dr. Horowitz & Staff