Anup Janak Shah, M.D is a pediatrician, population health expert, and a medical device digital health leader who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. In the following article, Dr. Anup Janak Shah discusses endocrine disorders and obesity, how the two are linked, and how to prevent and/or manage some of these conditions. Obesity and endocrine disorders often go hand-in-hand, but the cause-and-effect relationship between them is a complex one. Obesity can contribute to the manifestation of endocrine disorders, but various endocrine complications can also be a causative factor of obesity. Both management and prevention of obesity and worsening endocrine disorders will follow the same patterns. Pharmaceutical treatments will be necessary in some cases, and various weight loss strategies will almost always be used. Below, Anup Janak Shah explores the link between endocrine disorders and obesity, as well as the appropriate management strategies and preventative steps that can be taken when individuals suffer from both conditions simultaneously.

Dr. Anup Janak Shah on the Complex Connection

There is a significant link between obesity and endocrine disorders, with obesity serving as a major risk factor for the development of various hormonal imbalances.

Obesity-Related Endocrine Disorders

Anup Janak Shah explains that primary obesity, or obesity that is unrelated to pre-existing medical conditions, can contribute to the development of endocrine disorders such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Adipose (fat) tissue is considered part of the endocrine system - it releases hormones into the body. When there is an excess of adipose tissue in overweight or obese individuals, these conditions not only have a negative impact on an individual's health and quality of life but can also increase the risk for other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Endocrine-Related Obesity

Pre-existing endocrine disorders can be a contributing factor to the development of obesity, termed secondary obesity. There are many endocrine disorders and imbalances that can contribute to obesity, but three are more common than others. Atypical testosterone levels have been correlated with higher rates of obesity in both men and women. Women with higher-than-average testosterone levels are more prone to obesity, and in men, low testosterone is linked to higher body fat explains Anup Janak Shah. Obesity can also be caused by problems with GH (growth hormone) levels. One of the responsibilities of GH is to metabolize fat tissue. When this hormone is not produced at adequate levels or it is metabolized too quickly in the body, body fat will accumulate. Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland in which it does not produce enough hormones. This condition is characterized by a lower metabolic rate and lower rate of thermogenesis - both factors that contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Prevention and Management Strategies

Once the causal relationship in an individual patient has been identified—obesity causing endocrine disorders or endocrine disorders causing obesity—management strategies can be put in place to correct the issues and prevent them from reoccurring. Anup Janak Shah reports that when endocrine disorders are the initiating factor, pharmaceutical therapy is the usual course of treatment. If obesity is the initial cause of the co-morbidities, various weight loss strategies should be implemented. In some cases, both methods will be used simultaneously to improve the patient’s health and quality of life as efficiently as possible.

Pharmaceutical Treatments

Endocrine disorders are essentially, hormonal imbalances. As a result, the proper treatment suggested is usually supplemental hormones. Once the imbalance is managed by the relevant prescriptions, weight gain will slow down and oftentimes weight loss occurs. Anup Janak Shah explains that medications for weight loss can also be prescribed in addition to supplemental hormones for treating secondary obesity, but they can also be used in isolation to treat primary obesity. In some cases, weight loss strategies will need to be paired with various medications to effectively speed up the weight loss process and lower the risks associated with obesity.

Weight Loss Strategies

Weight loss strategies may be implemented in addition to hormonal correction, as mentioned above, but they may also be used as the only treatment plan when the excess weight is the cause of the endocrine disorder. In extreme cases, Anup Janak Shah explains that drastic steps such as bariatric surgery may be used to improve the life of a long-suffering patient and quickly correct the obesity issues, but in many cases, lifestyle changes are all that is needed. These changes include increasing daily exercise and activity, following a balanced nutrition plan, correcting sleep disturbances, and lowering stress.

Final Thoughts

Obesity and endocrine disorders are inextricably linked. It is crucial to address the issue of obesity in the prevention and management of endocrine disorders, through lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise, as well as medical treatments as necessary. Diagnosing the initiating condition and treating the comorbidities effectively is the only way to maintain health, longevity, and quality of life in afflicted patients.