What does it mean when you have unexplained weight loss, and when should you worry?
Key Takeaways
Unexplained weight loss is weight loss that occurs when a person is not trying to lose weight, and has not significantly changed their diet and/or exercise habits.
Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of a serious medical problem, such as cancer, diabetes, digestive system problems, or an infection.
It’s normal for weight to fluctuate by up to a few kg each day. This is generally due to changes in fluid balance in the body, and is no cause for concern.
If you lose more than 5% of your starting body weight over a period of 6 to 12 months or less, it’s important to visit a doctor for an evaluation.
Find out the root cause of your unexplained weight loss through a comprehensive health screening.
What is unexplained weight loss?
Unexplained weight loss is weight loss that occurs when a person is not trying to lose weight, and has not significantly changed their diet and/or exercise habits.
If you want to lose weight, then it generally takes a sustained effort in order to do this. Safe and sustainable weight loss occurs relatively slowly, at a rate of about 0.5 to 1 kg per week. When you lose weight because you’ve been consistently putting in the necessary effort, this is a reason to celebrate.
To many people, it sounds enticing to be able to lose weight without even trying. Our clients sometimes express that they wish the excess kilograms would just melt away. However, when weight loss occurs without effort, this may actually be a cause for concern. In fact, unexplained weight loss can be a sign of a serious medical problem.
What can cause unexplained weight loss?
There are a huge number of potential causes of unexplained weight loss. Some of the more common possibilities include:
Digestive system problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer disease, or celiac disease
Cancer of any type
Diabetes (more commonly type 1 diabetes, which is more likely to progress rapidly compared with type 2 diabetes)
Hyperthyroidism, or high thyroid hormone levels
Congestive heart failure
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as emphysema
Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (in which the immune system attacks the joints) or Addison’s disease (in which the immune system attacks the adrenal glands)
Infections, such as HIV, endocarditis (an infection of the heart), or tuberculosis
Oral health issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease, which make it difficult to eat
Dysphagia (trouble swallowing), which may be caused by neurological issues or problems with the throat or esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach)
Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder
Inability to exercise due to an injury or illness
Side effects of a prescription medication
Unexplained weight loss is actually relatively common, particularly in older people. Research has found that up to 20% of people over age 65 experience unexplained weight loss.
When to see a doctor
A person’s weight can fluctuate significantly from day to day. This is mainly due to the effects of fluid. When a person is more hydrated, or their body is holding onto more water for any reason, this can cause their weight to go up. When they’re more dehydrated or there’s less fluid in the body, weight can go down.
Because of this, it’s not necessary to become concerned if your weight has suddenly gone down by one or a few kg. This is likely to be simply a change in your fluid balance. You will almost certainly notice that it goes up again within the next few days, and continues to go up and down a bit.
However, if you experience continued weight loss when you’re not actively trying to lose weight, then it may be time to visit a doctor to discuss this. In general, if you’ve lost more than 5% of your starting body weight within a period of 6 to 12 months or less, then a medical evaluation is warranted.
Sometimes, patients believe that their doctors will let them know if there’s any concern about their weight. It’s true that taking a person’s body weight is generally a standard part of any medical visit. Unfortunately, however, it’s common for doctors to miss cases of unexplained weight loss. One study found that doctors noticed unexplained weight loss in only 21% of patients who had it.
If you’ve noticed that you’ve been losing weight, and you’re not sure why this is happening, don’t wait for your doctor to mention it. Bring up your weight loss yourself, so you can make sure that the issue is addressed.
Diagnosing the cause of weight loss
There are many potential causes of weight loss. Your doctor will start by asking about any other symptoms you may be having. They’ll also do a physical exam to look for signs of illnesses. Based on these factors, they’ll be able to start to narrow down the cause of your weight loss.
Testing is often a necessary part of the diagnostic process. Depending on any other signs or symptoms that are present, you may receive one or more of the following tests:
Chest X-ray
Barium swallow test (in which you drink a particular solution and then have X-ray images taken of the abdomen, in order to show the digestive tract)
Colonoscopy (in which a doctor uses a camera to look inside the lower intestine)
CT scan of the abdomen and/or chest
Mammogram (X-ray of the breast, which is used to check for breast cancer)
Dental exam
Mental health evaluation
Doctors are not always able to find the cause of unexplained weight loss. In fact, one study found that no diagnosis was reached in 25% of cases. However, the diagnostic process will still rule out serious conditions like cancer, even if there’s ultimately no answer as to why you’ve been losing weight.
The treatment for unexplained weight loss depends on the cause. If no cause for the weight loss is found, doctors may advise you to drink protein shakes and take nutritional supplements in order to keep your weight from declining further. They will also continue to monitor you closely for any signs of a medical condition.
Support for healthy weight loss
Unexplained weight loss may be a sign of a serious medical problem. Although it may sound enticing, it’s not to be wished for. In general, losing excess weight involves a sustained effort to make healthy lifestyle changes. In some cases, weight loss medications such as GLP-1 RAs may also be helpful.
Nevertheless, it is important to find out the root cause of your unexplained weight loss through a comprehensive health screening. This symptom might need urgent medical care.
Take Proactive Steps Today
NOVI Assessment Max is designed for individuals of all backgrounds and health profiles who want to invest in understanding and tracking their health over time. This proactive approach to long-term health benefits everyone. Establishing your baseline with a single set of test results helps you monitor your body’s trends and take control of your health.
NOVI Assessment Max goes beyond a single test, tracking your results over time with routine assessments.