What’s the short answer?
Yes, they can.
You can gain weight for a number of different reasons — hormone conditions being one of them.
Endocrinologists are experts in metabolism andhormonal changes. They can treat the weight gain these conditions either cause or contribute to.
They do this by helping regulate hormone levels and speed up metabolism.
Endocrinologists can also help treat diseases that may affect weight, like type 2 diabetes.
What exactly is an endocrinologist?
Endocrinologists specialize in studying theendocrine systemand treating conditions within this system.
Essentially, that means they can help diagnose and treat hormone-related conditions, which can have a wide-reaching impact on the body.
Hormones help regulate the likes of growth, reproduction, and metabolism. And hormonal imbalances can affect all of these processes.
So, endocrinologists aim to rebalance hormone levels and provide other ways to manage endocrine conditions.
What hormone conditions can an endocrinologist treat?
Several hormone conditions can have an impact on your weight. Endocrinologists can help with all of them.
These conditions tend to include:
- underactive thyroid(hypothyroidism)
- type 2 diabetes
- menopause
- Cushing disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- genetic conditions, likePrader-Willi syndrome
If you haven’t already received a diagnosis, an endocrinologist can determine whether weight gain is from hormonal changes, such as too much or too little of a certain hormone.
What clinical treatment options are available?
An endocrinologist or other healthcare professional may prescribe you a weight loss medication, such asphentermineor Contrave. But these aren’t that effective alone, meaning you need to make certain lifestyle changes, too.
Many of these medicationsworkTrusted Sourceby suppressing appetite, stimulating your metabolism, or making it more difficult for your body to absorb fat from food.
Not only can they help you lose weight, but they can also help you keep the weight off.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, people who take weight loss medication combined with lifestyle strategies lose3% to 12%Trusted Sourcemore of their initial body weight after 1 year than people who alter their lifestyle alone.
You may experience side effects while taking prescription medication, such as:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dry mouth or an unpleasant taste
- nausea or vomiting
More serious side effects require immediate medical attention. These include:
- heart palpitations
- breathlessness
- chest pain or tightness
- dizziness or fainting
- tremors or seizures
Other medications that help manage underlying conditions, such as diabetes and hormone replacement drugs, may be prescribed instead of weight loss medications.
Weight loss surgery is an option, too. Consideredquite effectiveTrusted Source, it provides a more permanent solution to weight management.
A specialist in this area can assess whether you’re a good candidate for surgery.
Who’s eligible for weight loss medications?
Not everyone will be prescribed weight loss medication. An endocrinologist or other healthcare professional will assess you to see whether you’re eligible.
This often involves using body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is 30 or greater, youmay be eligibleTrusted Sourcefor medication.
That also applies if you have a BMI of 27 or more and have a weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
If you have certain health conditions ortake other medications, you may not be able to take some weight loss drugs.
For example,phenterminecannot be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are used to treat depression, or if you have heart disease or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
What other strategies can help with weight loss?
Whatever clinical course of action is decided, you will still likely need tomake some lifestyle changesto help you lose weight.
Finding ways to improvedietary habitsfor the long term is a good idea, as is trying toexercisemost days of the week.
Endocrinologists and other professionals like dietitians can assist with this. For example, they might recommend eating slower to give digestive hormones time to signal to the brain that you’re full.
Some people find that cutting down on fats and carbohydrates and eating more low calorie foods, such as fruit and vegetables, helps.
When it comes toexercise, you may not need to aim for a long gym workout each day. Instead, a brisk walk can be a good starting point that you can build on.
Other frequently asked questions
Can an endocrinologist prescribe medication for weight loss?
Yes, endocrinologists can prescribe weight loss medications as well as other treatments for underlying issues that may be contributing to weight gain.
They will also help with lifestyle changes and support you throughout the entire process.
Should you contact an endocrinologist about unexplained weight loss?
It’s often best to visit a general doctor if you’re losing weight unexpectedly. They can then refer you to specialists, like endocrinologists, where needed.
If you losemore than 5%Trusted Sourceof your body weight within 6 to 12 months and haven’t changed your diet or activity levels, it’s best to seek medical advice.
But if you’re concerned about a smaller amount of weight loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor, either. They’re there to help.
How can an endocrinologist help with obesity?
Endocrinologists study hormones and how hormone levels impact the body in various ways.
If your hormones are believed to be impacting your weight, an endocrinologist will diagnose the underlying issue and treat it.
For example, you may have an underactive thyroid that’s contributing to weight gain and maintenance. Without regulating this, you’re unlikely to see long-term results.
Even if an endocrinologist doesn’t find an underlying contributor to your weight, they’ll still be able to rule out various issues and help you manage obesity via medications and lifestyle changes.
What else can an endocrinologist help with?
Endocrinologists can help treat several other conditions, including:
- diabetes
- PCOS
- adrenal disorders, such asAddison’s disease
- thyroid disease
- pituitary gland disorders
- osteoporosis
- calcium issues
They can also help with menstrual concerns and the effects of cancer treatment on the endocrine system.
The bottom line
Whether you’ve recently gained significant weight or have been trying to lose weight for a while, an endocrinologist can be a good specialist to visit.
They will assess your endocrine system to see whether there’s a hormone- or metabolism-related issue and advise you on the best path to take, which may include medication and lifestyle changes.
Losing weight can be a complex process that takes time and requires more than one approach.
Working with healthcare professionals to devise a plan that works for you and your lifestyle and giving them regular updates can help keep you on track.
