Leptin Resistance and Difficulty Losing Weight

[mtgardner]

Dr. Beckerman,

How is leptin resistance diagnosed and treated and
for those who are overweight and have this condition how does it effect weight loss?
Marie

[mtgardner]

http://www.jci.org/articles/view/36284/version/2

I thought I enclosed this link with the original post.  Not sure where it went!  One thing is clear from reading the research is that leptin's role needs more exploration and may only apply to a smaller group.  That said when further research is done it might turn out to be an important factor in weight loss especially for some who do all the right things and do not see good results.  I guess we will have to wait on that one.

I do appreciate the good advice here.  I know I feel better when I eat well.  Whole grains do cause me to gain weight tho and I may get tested for gluten intolerance.  I also hope as your pointed out to have better results when my thyroid is finally adjusted well.  My doctor's also think my adrenals may be taxed so I have been supplementing them as well under medical direction.

I am still learning what exercise I can do and what time of the day works best for me.
As with many things in life our individual condition can limit possibilities.  I can exercise best in the mornings since the longer I am up the more my BP drops.  I have also thought that perhaps a rowing machine might be a good investment as standing long is a problem for me and it would afford some working out without standing.

I appreciate this forum and will continue to read other's posts and get some inspiration and ideas.  Weight loss is hard to achieve alone.   Thanks for taking the time to answer my post!  Marie

[Barb135]

Thank you - do have a link to the article?  

Most of us lose weight more easily when we eliminate sugar and simple carbs, such as white breads, rice, etc and opt for whole grains instead.  

Yes, veggies, protein and "good" fats are essential, as is moderate exercise, which will keep your muscles toned, help burn calories, keep your heart in good shape, etc.

[mtgardner]

I did just find a journal article about this entitled "Revisiting leptin's role in obesity and weight loss."  This from the Journal of Clinical Investigation at the Dept .Of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Penn. School of Medicine.  I'll pass it along as you expressed interest in this aera and perhaps there will be more research on this area in the future.

I appreciated your sharing your personal experience.  Marie

[mtgardner]

Thanks for the clarification.  I did think I was posting on an expert forum.
I wondered if the leptin resistance was main stream or not.  I am getting the feedback it is not at this time.  I think what struck a cord in reading about it was the great difficulty in losing weight when exercising and eating appropriately and only being able to lose weight when starving.  

I have delved into past posts and have read a few others with the same type of problem.  You are the second person who has told me that once my thyroid is adjusted well I might see a big difference.  That gives me hope.  I have not felt ever free of hypothyroid symptoms and am glad I have a doctor now who has tested the free T3 and is going to treat for the deficiency. I understand from reading past posts on the thyroid forum that adjustment can take some time and experimenting.

As for diet/exercise issues I am very much interested in what has worked for others.  I do have a problem with carbs lowering my BP so I have to avoid having many of them and sugar also.  I do best with proteins and vegetables and smaller meals.  My newest dilemma is the fatigue that comes with the pure autonomic failure.  I have to do my exercise in a different way as I only have so much energy in a day.
My heart doesn't speed up anymore so if I exercise past a certain point my respiratory system is overworked.  It is quite a dilemma and all new to me.  

I have read quite a few posts here where others have difficulty with weight losing too.  I hope to pick up some exercise ideas as well.

[Barb135]

This is not an "expert" forum, so it's highly unlikely that a doctor will answer your question here.  

I just posted on another thread in regards to your question about leptin resistance. For your convenience, I've copied/pasted my response from that thread to this one:  

"I do not believe that leptin resistance is a "mainstream" medical issue.  I've never been tested for it and I've never talked to anyone else who's been tested for it.  I don't even know if there are tests available from most labs, so I don't know that you are going to find a lot of information on it on the patient forums; it's not something we hear a lot about.  I've read just enough to be dangerous.  

My experience is that I, too, have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.  When my Free T3 and Free T4 levels are right for me - not just "normal" on the lab report, I can lose weight.  Yes, I have to work at it (meaning I have to eat right and move around a bit), but at least I *can* lose; whereas when my FT levels are not right for me, I might as well forget weight loss.  

Your low FT3 could be simply that you need a higher dosage of thyroid med or that you don't convert FT4 to FT3 properly so there's not enough available for use.  This will throw your metabolism off.

If your metabolism is "sluggish", most likely, it's because your FT3 levels are too low."

If, in the future, you find some "solid" evidence of leptin resistance (i.e. scientific studies, blood tests, normal levels, etc), it would be interesting to know about.  

I think I've seen your posts in the thyroid community, so I might suggest that you read past posts, there, for further information on weight gain/inability to lose.  

But of course, if you are interested in diet/exercise issues, please feel free to stick around here as well, since that's what we are about...........