What is the treatment for hypothalamic obesity?

Question

Hi doctor,

I need your advice about my son. He is 15 now, but when he was 10, he had surgery for a brain tumor near his hypothalamus. Thankfully, the surgery went well, but ever since then, he has been gaining weight like crazy, and it does not seem to stop no matter what we do. We have tried limiting his portions, cutting out junk food, and even getting him involved in swimming, but nothing seems to make a dent. It is not just the weight gain; he is constantly saying he is hungry, even right after eating. And it is starting to affect his energy levels and his confidence, especially at school. A friend mentioned something called hypothalamic obesity, and it sounds a lot like what my son is dealing with. Does that sound right to you?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Hypothalamic obesity is a type of obesity caused by a malfunction in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls important functions like hormones, appetite, and metabolism. When the hypothalamus is damaged, it can disrupt these processes, leading to significant weight gain.

The hypothalamus helps regulate hunger, calorie burning, and fat storage, so damage to it can cause obesity. Common causes include:

Tumors: Craniopharyngiomas are the most common cause, accounting for more than half of the cases.
Brain injuries: Bleeding, infections, or swelling in the brain.
Genetic conditions: Such as Prader-Willi syndrome or being born with hypothalamic dysfunction.

Symptoms can vary. Some people feel constantly hungry, even after eating normal meals. Others may gain weight despite eating less and exercising more.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.