Weight management is a topic that generates a lot of questions — and hormone imbalance is one of them. Here are 10 of the most frequently asked questions that arise when patients start to think about getting tested.
Top 10 Questions About Hormones and Weight Gain
1. Why do postmenopausal women gain weight? What are the hormone imbalances that trigger this?
Women of any age can have a hormone imbalance that causes them to gain weight, but those over 50 often find that the end of periods marks the beginning of weight problems. In the absence of ovulation, deficiencies of progesterone create a relative surplus of estrogen — known as estrogen dominance — that triggers weight gain in the hips and thighs and slows metabolism so that it becomes harder than ever to lose weight.
2. Do men also have hormone imbalances that cause weight gain?
Absolutely. Both sexes share the same hormones, but men have more DHEA and testosterone, accounting for their greater lean muscle mass. As men age, imbalances develop with dropping hormones, a decline made worse by high stress levels. That’s when metabolism takes a nosedive and “six-pack abs” can slide into a “spare tyre” around the middle.
3. I gained ten pounds of belly fat at perimenopause that I still can’t lose.
Belly fat is all too familiar in the years leading to menopause as ovulation and hormone levels begin to fluctuate. In particular, cortisol imbalances trigger erratic blood sugar and insulin levels that can increase fat storage in the abdomen. An abundance of fat cells there respond to cortisol signals to hold on to fat stores until the stressor — in this case hormone imbalance — is corrected.
4. What is the first thing one should do if they suspect a hormone imbalance is behind the inability to lose weight?
First, test your hormone levels. Our Female Weight Management Profile Test is specifically designed to pinpoint imbalances of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, thyroid and vitamin D deficiencies tied to weight gain. It also detects risks for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes — all from a simple at-home collection.
5. What’s the connection between low vitamin D and weight?
Vitamin D is not in fact a vitamin, but a hormone, made by the action of sunlight upon the skin. Many of us have become deficient in tandem with sunscreen use, indoor gyms and computers that effectively keep us from soaking up sunlight. Studies show that D-deficient individuals have significantly higher levels of visceral fat that surrounds vital organs and is thus more hazardous to health. Our Vitamin D Test (D2, D3 and Total) measures your complete vitamin D status from a simple finger-prick at home.
6. My blood work says my hormones are normal for my age, but I still can’t maintain my weight.
Not all hormone tests are the same. The standard blood test does not measure the fraction of hormones that are active and “bioavailable” to the cells of the body, so it cannot identify specific weight-related imbalances. This is why saliva and dried blood spot testing is the preferred method for measuring unbound, active hormone levels which more closely correlate with symptoms.
Our Comprehensive Female Saliva Hormone Profile (LCMS) measures the free, bioavailable fraction of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA using gold-standard LCMS analysis — the most clinically relevant method for identifying the hormonal imbalances driving your symptoms.
7. After testing, am I given recommendations to reverse negative findings?
Your hormone test report is a comprehensive evaluation of lab findings, weight-related hormone imbalances and symptoms, along with general hormone rebalancing suggestions. Specific therapies and treatment options are not included and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
8. Can other hormone imbalances mimic hypothyroidism and cause weight gain?
Yes — for example, undetected estrogen dominance can inhibit or block the delivery of thyroid hormone to the cells that need it, causing weight gain even when the thyroid gland itself is functioning fine. This is why a comprehensive hormonal picture — not just a TSH test — is so important.
9. Can I test while taking hormones? When should I retest?
Testing while taking hormones is the best way to gauge the effectiveness of treatment. Note that with birth control use, hormone levels are generally low. Retest within three months to track progress, especially if supplementing with hormones, to monitor and adjust dosage as needed.
10. How do I find a practitioner who will look at these results and help?
You will want to find a natural hormone-friendly practitioner who measures hormones using saliva and blood spot. All our test kits come with clear instructions for at-home collection, and our specialist interpretation reports provide actionable guidance for you and your healthcare provider.
Originally by Candace Burch, ZRT Laboratory. Reproduced with permission. Last reviewed: May 2026.