Did you know that endocrinology can be an ally for overweight people who want to lose weight? Many people who are overweight find it difficult to lose fat. Not because of the number of extra kilos, but because of the source of the problem.
The truth is that, in some cases, eating a healthy diet and exercising may not be enough to lose weight. This leads many people to resort to drastic, “miracle” diets that promise results in a short space of time. These restrictive eating plans are not good for the body and can further damage your quality of life and health.
Endocrinology has the tools you need to lose weight in a healthy way. This medical specialty is indicated for monitoring cases of obesity and disorders related to hormonal changes.
In this article, we help you understand the role of endocrinology in losing weight, while respecting each person’s body.
What is Endocrinology?
Endocrinology is a medical specialty dedicated to diagnosing and treating problems of the endocrine system. Its aim is to maintain the body’s balance and make your life healthier.
The endocrine glands are made up of the pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid glands, ovaries, testes, adrenals and pituitary gland. An endocrinologist analyzes the secretion of hormones that influence our metabolism. Irregular secretions can have consequences at various levels, including:
- Osteoporosis;
- Diabetes;
- Menstrual changes;
- Infertility;
- Thyroid disorders;
- Menopause;
- Weight gain;
- Weight loss;
- Etc.
Thyroid disorders and the menopause are generally the conditions that most affect women’s quality of life. The former is particularly linked to obesity. When the amount of hormones the thyroid produces decreases(hypothyroidism), weight gain is among the symptoms such as tiredness, sluggishness and/or depression.
How can an endocrinologist help you lose weight?
If the difficulty in losing weight is linked to hormonal issues, the diagnosis is made through laboratory blood tests. If so, the endocrinologist assesses the treatment and strategies to reduce its impact on health. In this type of situation, the treatment facilitates the weight loss process, through:
- Improving lifestyle and quality of life;
- New eating habits;
- Controlling anxiety and binge eating;
- Medication.
What is the difference between nutrition and endocrinology?
Nutrition and Endocrinology are complementary and offer different answers to those who need to lose weight. The former focuses on outlining a healthy and balanced diet plan. The latter investigates the causes that lead to obesity and helps define personalized treatment strategies that aid weight loss and maintenance.
There is no treatment protocol that is 100% the same for everyone, as there are different approaches to treating excess weight. For this reason, the success of a weight loss program lies in the correct initial diagnosis and a plan that is completely personalized to each case.
The importance of multidisciplinary support
In order to lose weight in a healthy way, it is necessary to integrate the intervention of Endocrinology in a multidisciplinary way. This means involving several specialties. Only in this way will the results improve the quality of the patient’s health and be maintained in the long term.
A multidisciplinary team takes both aesthetics and health into account for a more balanced life. The team includes endocrinologists, nutritionists, psychologists and specialists in Aesthetic Medicine.
Many people who seek an endocrinology consultation have already faced several attempts to lose weight that have not gone well. It’s therefore natural for them to show frustration, tiredness and low self-esteem. With the support of all the professionals, they arrive at an integrated treatment that progressively incorporates new routines to avoid old habits.
At Skin Boutique, in Lisbon and Porto, endocrinology treatment for weight loss always involves an initial consultation. At this time, an individualized plan is drawn up focusing on healthy weight loss and changing the patient’s mindset.
We know that all patients are very different. Each one has their own behavioral characteristics and genetic background. They may only want to lose a few kilos, or they may need to lose 30, 40 or 50 kilos.
During the consultation and throughout the process, they receive empathetic and close support. Our specialist doctors aim to help patients create a healthy relationship with food and give them the tools to get their lives back on track.
To find out more about this treatment, visit our website and learn more about this approach.
