Can Your Hormones Be Causing Fat Gain? Here’s How to Find Out

You're training hard, eating clean, and doing all the right things—but the fat won’t budge. Before you blame your willpower, it’s time to ask a more important question: could your hormones be the real issue?

At Kalos, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients who felt stuck—until they looked below the surface. Using DEXA Scan San Francisco technology, we help identify hormonal patterns hiding in your body composition, like unexplained visceral fat, muscle loss, and fat gain in stubborn areas.

Here’s how to tell if hormones are behind your fat gain—and what to do about it.

The Hormone-Fat Connection: What You Need to Know

Hormones regulate everything from appetite and metabolism to fat storage and energy use. When even one system is out of balance, it can make fat loss feel impossible—and worse, cause fat gain even in a calorie deficit.

Key hormones that impact fat gain:

• Cortisol: Stress hormone that increases visceral fat
• Insulin: Blood sugar regulator; high levels can block fat loss
• Estrogen & Progesterone: Imbalances can affect fat storage, especially in women
• Testosterone: Low levels reduce muscle mass and increase fat
• Thyroid hormones (T3, T4): Control metabolic rate and energy use

Signs Hormonal Imbalances Might Be Behind Your Fat Gain

You might suspect a hormone issue if:

• You’re gaining belly fat (visceral fat), despite working out
• You feel tired, bloated, or “puffy” regularly
• You’ve lost muscle mass without changing your training
• You experience intense cravings or mood swings
• Your progress has stalled, even with strict calorie control
• You feel weaker, colder, or more anxious than usual

How a DEXA Scan Can Reveal Hormonal Red Flags

While blood tests confirm hormone levels, DEXA scans can spot their impact on your body—often before symptoms become severe.

What we look for:

• Increased visceral fat (common in high cortisol and insulin resistance)
• Reduced lean mass (can signal low testosterone or thyroid issues)
• Disproportionate fat distribution (e.g., hips and thighs in estrogen dominance)
• Plateaued or reversed progress, despite calorie restriction

Using your DEXA Scan San Francisco results, we can help you identify if hormones might be driving fat gain—and where to investigate further with a practitioner.

What to Do If You Suspect a Hormonal Cause

1. Scan First, Then Test

A DEXA scan gives you quantitative data to bring to your doctor, nutritionist, or hormone specialist. You’ll know whether the issue is fat, muscle, or both.

2. Improve Sleep, Stress & Recovery

High cortisol from chronic stress is a leading cause of belly fat. DEXA feedback on visceral fat can validate if stress is taking a toll.

3. Strength Train Consistently

Training helps restore hormonal balance by increasing insulin sensitivity, boosting testosterone, and reducing cortisol.

4. Eat for Hormone Health

• Prioritize protein and healthy fats
• Avoid under-eating or extreme dieting
• Focus on blood sugar balance (low glycemic foods, fiber, regular meals)

5. Track Monthly with DEXA

Use each scan to see how lifestyle and nutrition changes are impacting body composition and internal health markers.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Misaligned

If your fat loss has stalled and nothing seems to work, it might not be your fault. Hormones play a massive role in fat storage and muscle loss—and a DEXA Scan in San Francisco could be your first clue that something deeper is going on.

Don’t guess. Scan. Track. Adjust. Thrive.

Book Your DEXA Scan in San Francisco at Kalos Today

If you’re ready to take control of your health with the most accurate body composition analysis available, it’s time to book your DEXA scan at Kalos. Whether you’re looking to get lean, build muscle, improve performance, or optimize longevity, our advanced technology and expert guidance will help you get there.

Schedule your scan today at Kalos—your journey to data-driven fitness starts now.

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