Plenty of people will have set a New Year’s resolution to shift the extra pounds they put on over Christmas. But, there could be medical reasons why you aren’t seeing progress – despite doing everything you can.
Dr Ahmed Abd Elbary, who goes by @Dra_says on TikTok, previously shared some advice for those who can not achieve weight loss. He said it’s a “very common complaint” that people come to their doctor.
He said there are five medical reasons you may need to get ruled out if you’re eating better and exercising more but still struggling. It is best to make an appointment with your doctor to check for the root cause and any possible underlying conditions.
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The doctor pointed out that people with underactive thyroids may struggle to slim down. In fact, the NHS lists weight gain as a common symptom of this alongside feeling tired, depressed and unable to tolerate the cold.
Dr Ahmed suggested women should also get checked for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – which is another condition that may limit your weight loss plans. You’ll possibly notice signs like excessive hair growth, sweating, acne and irregular periods if you have this issue.
According to the NHS, these signs usually become apparent in your late teens or early 20s. Many women discover they have PCOS when they’re having difficulty getting pregnant.
The qualified GP went on to suggest more medical causes that could be blocking weight loss. He said hormones play a major role in this natural process, and any imbalance from menopause, perimenopause and low testosterone for men could hold you back.
He suggested that “excessive levels” of cortisol, a stress hormone, caused by Cushing syndrome might hinder weight loss. The syndrome is rare and mostly affects people who have been taking steroid medicine, especially steroid tablets, for a long time.
Talking to a doctor might help identify the problems you’re facing
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Finally, the doctor says the fifth reason is the “most obvious but gets missed quite a lot.” He said: “Are you taking any medications that are causing weight gain? Most commonly, things like antidepressants, antipsychotics and even some diabetic medications can do this.”
Dr Ahmed urged anyone who thinks their current medication could be causing them to gain weight to speak with their GP. This is likely to lead to a medication review that can try to fix the issue.