If you feel like your metabolism has slowed down despite careful eating and staying active, the root cause may not be calories — it could be your hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers that control how your body:

• Burns energy
• Stores fat
• Regulates blood sugar
• Responds to stress
• Maintains menstrual health

Even a slight imbalance in one of these can significantly slow your metabolic rate.

Let’s understand which hormones are involved, the warning signs, and the blood tests that help identify the issue.

What Are Metabolic Hormones?

Hormonal balance plays a critical role in how efficiently your body burns energy. Metabolic hormones act like traffic controllers — when they’re in sync, metabolism runs smoothly. But when imbalanced, your body can slow down to protect itself.

Key Hormones That Control Metabolism

1. Thyroid Hormones (TSH, T3, T4)

Role: Control metabolic rate, body temperature & energy production.

When imbalanced:

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Cold intolerance
• Constipation

➡ Low thyroid activity (hypothyroidism) is one of the most common causes of slow metabolism in women.

2. Insulin

Role: Regulates blood sugar and fat storage.

Signs of imbalance:

• Weight gain, especially belly fat
• Sugar cravings
• Energy crashes
• Difficulty losing weight despite dieting

➡ High insulin keeps the body in fat-storage mode.

3. Cortisol (Stress Hormone)

Role: Helps the body deal with stress.

Chronic elevation causes:

• Central belly fat
• Poor sleep
• Anxiety
• Muscle breakdown
• Increased cravings

➡ Long-term stress tells the body to conserve energy and store fat.

4. Estrogen & Progesterone

Role: Regulate menstrual cycle, fat distribution, mood and metabolism.

Imbalance may lead to:

• Weight gain around hips & thighs
• PMS
• Irregular periods
• Bloating
• Mood swings

➡ Hormonal imbalance can worsen insulin resistance and thyroid function.

5. Leptin & Ghrelin (Hunger Hormones)

Role:

• Leptin =Sugnals fullness
• Ghrelin = Signals hunger

When disrupted:

• Constant hunger
• Difficulty feeling full
• Overeating despite adequate meals

➡ Poor sleep and crash dieting disturb these hormones

6. Testosterone (in Women)

Role: Supports muscle mass & metabolism.

When low or high (PCOS):

• Low energy
• Fat gain
• Muscle loss
• Irregular cycles

Signs Your Hormones Are Slowing Your Metabolism

• Weight gain despite calorie control
• Persistent fatigue and low stamina
• Increased belly fat
• Sugar & carb cravings
• Hair fall & dry skin
• Irregular periods or severe PMS
• Poor sleep and stress intolerance

These symptoms often occur together, not alone.

Blood Investigations to Identify Hormonal Issues

If metabolic slowdown is suspected, these blood tests provide clarity.

1. Thyroid Profile

✔ TSH

✔ Free T3

✔ Free T4

Important: TSH alone isn’t enough.

2. Blood Sugar & Insulin

✔ Fasting Blood Sugar

✔ Fasting Insulin

✔ HOMA‑IR (calculated)

✔ HbA1c

Detects insulin resistance

3. Female Hormonal Profile

✔ Estrogen (E2)

✔ Progesterone

✔ LH & FSH

Test timing matters—usually day 2–5 or day 21 of cycle.

4. Cortisol

✔ Morning serum cortisol

Helps assess stress load on the body

5. Vitamins & Minerals Deficiencies

✔ Vitamin D

✔ Vitamin B12

✔ Ferritin (Iron stores)

Deficiencies can directly slow metabolism.

6. Lipid Profile

✔ Total cholesterol

✔ HDL

✔ LDL

✔ Triglycerides

Hormonal imbalance often reflects in cholesterol patterns.

What You Can Do After Identifying the Imbalance

✔ Balanced nutrition (not extreme dieting)

✔ Balance meals with protein, fibre & healthy fats

✔ Stress reduction & adequate sleep

✔ Targeted supplements if needed

✔ Structured hormone‑friendly lifestyle plan

Addressing hormones first allows metabolism to recover naturally.

How the 100 Days Program Supports Hormone‑Driven Metabolic Recovery

A structured approach is often the missing link when hormones are slowing metabolism, and this is where the 100 Days Program plays a powerful role.

Unlike short-term diets, the 100 Days Program focuses on root-cause healing, not just weight loss. Over 100 days, the body is given enough time to stabilise insulin levels, support thyroid function, reduce cortisol overload, and rebalance female hormones through consistent nutrition and lifestyle correction.

Program benefits:

✔ Hormone‑friendly meal plans (not calorie obsession

✔ Improved insulin sensitivity and reduced belly fat

✔ Supporting gut health, which directly affects estrogen balance

✔ Correction of common nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin D, B12, Iron) that slow metabolism

✔ Reducing stress load through sustainable routines ✔ Preventing rebound weight gain by restoring metabolic flexibility

This gradual, science-backed approach allows metabolism to reset safely, making weight loss more sustainable and energy levels more stable, especially for women struggling with hormonal imbalances, PCOS, thyroid issues, or stress-related weight gain.

Metabolism is not broken — it’s adaptive.

When the body feels stressed, under‑nourished, or hormonally unsafe, it slows down to protect you.

The solution isn’t eating less — it’s supporting your hormones correctly.

Ready to stop guessing and start healing?

If your metabolism feels stuck despite your best efforts, it’s time to look beyond calories and uncover the real hormonal imbalances holding you back.

Join Dr. Joline’s 100 Days Program to reset your hormones, restore your energy, and reclaim your confidence — naturally and sustainably.

Your transformation starts now — book your consultation today!