By Jayne Thomson,Steven Smith

Copyright birminghammail

A weight loss expert has cautioned that undiagnosed hormonal imbalances could be stopping thousands of Britons from losing weight – despite maintaining healthy diets and regular exercise routines. Professor Franklin Joseph from Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic reveals that many individuals are fighting an uphill biological battle without knowing it, ranging from insulin resistance to elevated cortisol levels – and no amount of calorie restriction will address the problem. “We see patients every week who are doing everything ‘right’ but can’t shift the weight,” Prof Joseph explained. “In many cases, the issue isn’t food – it’s hormones.” READ MORE: Ofsted speaks out after visiting ‘worst’ secondary school in West Midlands Hormones control everything from hunger and fat storage to energy levels and sleep patterns, reports the Manchester Evening News . When these become imbalanced, Prof Joseph explains that shedding pounds becomes significantly more challenging – and occasionally impossible – without addressing the root cause. “Insulin resistance is one of the most common roadblocks,” he said. “When your body becomes less sensitive to insulin, it stores more fat, particularly around the middle, and craves more sugar – even on a ‘clean’ diet.” Another hidden culprit is cortisol – the stress hormone. While cortisol proves vital in brief episodes, persistent elevation can interfere with metabolism and result in persistent abdominal fat. “Many people don’t realise that intense workouts like HIIT, especially when done too often or without recovery, can spike cortisol levels,” Prof Joseph added. “If you’re already stressed or underslept, it can backfire – leaving you exhausted, inflamed and no leaner.” Why you can’t guess your way through a hormone issue. According to Prof Joseph, tackling a hormonal weight loss issue isn’t as simple as cutting out carbohydrates or ramping up exercise routines – and the majority of people won’t find answers through trial and error. “You need to understand what your body is actually doing,” he explained. “We’re talking about things like insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, or stress hormones like cortisol being out of whack.” These disruptions aren’t always picked up in standard health screenings – and can quietly prevent fat burning, increase appetite and trigger fatigue despite following a seemingly ‘flawless’ eating plan. Whilst not everyone needs extensive testing, targeted checks for blood glucose, thyroid performance or stress markers can shed light on why someone isn’t seeing progress. “Sometimes it’s not about willpower – it’s about biology,” Prof Joseph said. “And the only way to know is to get properly assessed.” How to spot if hormones might be your issue Red flags can include persistent belly fat, afternoon energy dips, sugar cravings despite adhering to a high-protein diet, disturbed sleep, or fatigue that lingers even after rest days. “If you’re following a plan and not getting results – don’t just push harder,” Prof Joseph counselled. “There could be something deeper going on.” With rising instances of prediabetes, thyroid dysfunction and stress-related hormone imbalance, Prof Joseph urges people not to blame themselves for every stalled scale reading. “Sometimes your body isn’t being stubborn – it’s asking for help,” he declared.