It’s that time of year again: New Year’s Resolutions.
Sometimes, no matter how much you incorporate exercise and a healthy diet into your life the weight just doesn’t come off. From side effects due to medications to hormone imbalances caused by adrenal glands, there could be a lot happening under the surface. It may be time to talk with a Health Dimensions pharmacist about possible treatments to manage these underlying health issues.
Medications Impacting Weight Loss
As we previously discussed, medications can lead to nutrient depletion as well as hormonal imbalances. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, which treats fevers and colds orally and cuts, insect bites, and poison ivy topically, often lead to an increase in appetite. Beta-blockers, or blood pressure medications, block adrenaline to slow down heart rate, but this also slows down metabolism with weight gain as a common side effect.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs,) which are typically prescribed for anxiety and depression, increase serotonin levels in the brain. However, their reactions to other underlying conditions and medications can be unpredictable and lead to serious side effects.
HRDX can create treatment plans to manage multiple medications and ensure that they work in harmony along with nutrient and hormone supplements.
Thyroid Diseases and Hormonal Imbalance
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce an adequate amount of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) for the body, while hyperthyroidism occurs when the gland produces excessive amounts of hormones. Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of factors including autoimmune diseases, pituitary disorders, responses to hyperthyroidism treatment, medications, radiation therapy, and even pregnancy. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include increased sensitivity to cold, pain and swelling in joints, hoarseness, thinning hair, swelling around the neck, and weight gain.
In addition to the thyroid, adrenal glands secrete key hormones such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone that are essential to health and vitality and significantly affect total body function. Prolonged physical or mental stress combined with chronic illness can alter the function of the adrenal glands and lead to Adrenal Fatigue.
Adrenal Fatigue can cause implications from allergies to obesity. Cortisol, which is an anti-inflammatory hormone help to regulate chemical and metabolic reactions. It can affect the conversion of carbohydrates and fats into proteins to be used throughout the body.
Proper adrenal support is essential to complete the hormonal pathway to optimal health.
Treatment Options
Compounding makes it easier to formulate medications and treatments that work with patients’ preexisting conditions and treatments so that nutrients and hormones are not depleted and patients can be on the pathway to optimal health.
Health Dimensions Pharmacy can provide thyroid-specific hormone therapy that includes both T3 and T4 hormones to stabilize hormone production. Our compounding specialists work together with patients and prescribers to provide customized hormone therapies for women and men that provides the needed hormones in the most appropriate strength and dosage form to meet each person’s specific needs.
Schedule a consultation with our pharmacists today to learn more about what could be halting your weight loss and the possible treatments.
Visit our website or call us at (800) 836-2303.
Scott Popyk RPh – Founder
