Are you worried about your Unexplained Weight Loss?
If you have already ruled out changes to your diet or exercise as the root cause of your weight loss, it is possible that other factors are responsible. Often weight loss can be caused by mental health conditions, it could be a result of an eating disorder, or feeling depressed, stressed, or anxious about something, possibly triggered by a recent bereavement or economic worry. While less common, it is possible that unexplained weight loss happens because of an undiagnosed condition. Digestive problems like coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could be responsible. Other health conditions like heart failure, diabetes, or cancer are possibilities but It is important to remember that many of these conditions are not diagnosed by weight loss alone, those suffering from them will likely have additional symptoms.
There may be things you can do at home to help to identify the cause of your weight loss or reverse the negative trend. Check out the list below for some advice or helpful tips to help.
- Keep a diary of your daily food and drink intake to help monitor your energy intake
- If your symptoms are a result of a recent depression you may want to consider discussing your worries with a close friend or family member, building social connections can improve emotional health.
- If you are feeling stressed, it may benefit you to investigate methods for stress relief to find ways to relax and recharge your batteries
If you are concerned about your recent unexplained weight loss it is advisable to consult a doctor who will be able to help you find the root cause. They will discuss your medical history, health and lifestyle choices and record your current weight. If necessary, your doctor may request blood tests or scans to get a more detailed picture of your current health and you may be given a special diet to follow.
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Addison's disease
- Amyloidosis
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Changes in diet or appetite
- Changes in sense of smell
- Changes in sense of taste
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Crohn's disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)
- Dental problems
- Depression (major depressive disorder)
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Medications
- Parkinson's disease
- Peptic ulcer
- Substance abuse
- Tuberculosis
- Ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)
Is unexplained weight loss a symptom of diabetes?
Unexplained weight loss can occur for a multitude of reasons and is specific to each individual. It is not something that is normal and should not be left untreated. In some cases, unexplained weight loss may be a sign of diabetes however, only a doctor will be able to confirm the true cause.
What tests are done for unexplained weight loss?
Depending on the reason for an unexplained change in weight loss talking to a GP should be the first step. From there, your GP can assess your current health, any changes in your life and discuss the first steps for finding a cause.
A GP may want to:
- Send you for blood tests
- Make changes to your current routine
- Recommend specific treatments
- Consult a specialist
There is no one solution to find the root cause of unexplained weight loss which is why it is extremely valuable to consult the opinion of a doctor for help and support.