Winter is associated with home coziness, hot tea, and holidays, but for some, it turns into a trial. During this time, many are plagued by fatigue, energy evaporates, and the number on the scales relentlessly creeps up. Some enjoy frosty walks and maintain their energy, while others feel constant weakness and see their waistline increasing.
It may seem that the cold season and lack of sunlight are to blame, but sometimes the roots of the problem lie deeper — in the state of our hormones. They control energy, appetite, and the ability to maintain a slim figure. Family doctor, preventive integrative medicine physician, endocrinologist, dietitian and nutritionist Anastasia Samoylova helped to understand how to determine when weight gain and fatigue indicate a hidden threat to your health and what causes these conditions.
Key Hormones Affecting Weight and Energy in Winter
The thyroid gland and thyroid hormones — "The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism. A deficiency of these hormones (hypothyroidism) slows down metabolism, leading to weakness, swelling, and weight gain," says the doctor.
Adrenal glands and cortisol — cortisol is known as the "stress hormone." Its excess increases appetite, causes fat accumulation in the abdominal area, and leads to severe fatigue.
Pancreas and insulin — insulin controls blood sugar levels. Disruption of its production increases appetite, accelerating weight gain.
Sex hormones — "They affect fat distribution. Their imbalance in women leads to an increase in the volume of hips and buttocks, while in men it results in the appearance of a rounded belly and increased breast size," notes the specialist.
When to Check Hormones
Of course, hormones are not always to blame for weight gain or mood swings, but in some cases, they deserve close attention. Here are several key points that, according to our expert, should be kept in mind to seek medical advice in a timely manner:
— A sudden weight gain without changes in diet — even while maintaining the usual menu, the figure begins to change, and the volumes are increasing faster than usual, noticeable to those around.
— Sleep problems — prolonged falling asleep in the evening, shallow sleep, early awakenings accompanied by a complete lack of rest and readiness to continue activities.
— Constant fatigue and inability to recover strength — minor household tasks cause extreme tiredness, returning home ends only with the desire to immediately lie down and rest.
— Frequent headaches, worsened vision, decreased cognitive abilities — a person notices problems with memory, attention, and their reaction to what is happening around slows down.
— Mood swings, negative emotions prevail — irritability, anxiety intensifies without objective reasons, and there may be bouts of sadness or depression.
— Changed appearance — the face has become puffy, the skin has turned gray, dry areas and wrinkles have become more pronounced.
— Increased appetite and cravings for sweets or salty foods — another sign of possible hormonal dysfunction leading to active food consumption and rapid replenishment of fat reserves.
"Any of these symptoms deserves immediate analysis by a specialist, as a competent assessment of the body's condition can prevent the progression of disease and take the right treatment measures. Take care of your health in advance, and the winter months will bring you only positive emotions and good health!" concluded Anastasia.
