If in 6 to 12 months you lose more than 5% of your weight, you should talk to your doctor, particularly if you are an older person. If you weigh 150 pounds that will be around 8, or 10 pounds if you exceed 200. Unexplained loss of weight may be a symptom of a health condition if it happens without a reason.
Hyperthyroidism
If your thyroid gland releases a lot of thyroid hormone, it boosts your metabolism so that you can lose weight and burn more fat. You may also get more bowel movements and a rapid heartbeat, and you can feel nervous. Your doctor should prescribe medication to help you regulate it. Also, she might recommend surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid.
Diabetes
Insulin is a hormone that your body produces to transform blood sugar into energy. If you have diabetes, you cannot either produce insulin, or you cannot use it the way you need it. Your body feels like it’s starving when your cells run out of energy and starts melting fat and muscle. This leads to unexplained loss of weight. You can also get thirstier, exhausted, hungry, or urinate more than normal. If you have any of these signs, consult your doctor right away. If you have diabetes, your doctor can help you find the right therapy plan for you.
Celiac Disease
Your body can react to gluten if you have this disease, a protein contained in wheat and other grains. Your immune system — that helps you combat bacteria and other pathogens — attacks your small intestine by accident when you eat it. That can make it difficult for your body to take in nutrients and can contribute to weight loss. You can also get headaches, itchy skin, mouth sores, and joint pain. If you have it, only a doctor could tell you with certainty. You would need to follow a specific diet if you do have it, to avoid the symptoms.
Medication
Drugs that are used to treat other health problems can speed up your metabolism and make you burn more calories or feel no hunger – such as:
- Stimulants
- Chemotherapy Medications
- Antidepressants
- Medications for type 2 diabetes
If you lose appetite or start losing weight from a new drug, check with your doctor.
Stress
After something like being fired from work, separation or a loved one’s death, it’s natural to lose a few pounds. After you find time to mourn the loss or get used to the change, you may return to your normal weight. You might need some support from your family and friends, community counseling or a professional therapist. If you keep on losing weight, consult your doctor. High functioning anxiety can also cause weight loss.
Lupus
This means that your immune system turns on your body, attacking your organs and tissues. You can lose weight because it can irritate your digestive tract, making it difficult for your body to take nutrients from food. You might feel very tired, and can hurt or be sore in your joints. You can feel pain in your joints and they can become stiff. Most people even get a rash shaped like a butterfly on their faces. Your doctor should provide you with medications to relieve these signs and make changes in your lifestyle and diet.
Addison’s Disease
In this disorder, some hormones, especially one called cortisol, aren’t made enough by your adrenal glands. It may cause stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and, in some cases, diarrhea. This can cause you to lose appetite and probably lose weight. Your doctor should help you control your symptoms and offer you hormone replacement medication.
Cancer
These dangerous cells may use more of your fuel, or they can generate chemicals that alter the way you digest food. Even the immune system has to work harder too. This tires you out and your body burns more fat, which can contribute to unexplained loss of weight.
COPD
This disease affects tiny sacs of air in your lungs. Smoking is one of the reasons for it. This makes breathing difficult and makes you cough up a thick substance called mucus. In order to bring enough oxygen into every breath, your body needs more calories. You might get exhausted easily and lose your appetite, too. All of these factors may result in weight loss.
Heart Failure
In this case, your body doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen because your heart is not able to pump as it would normally do, and your digestive system cannot get enough blood to work properly, as well. It may make you feel full even though you haven’t consumed anything and can make your stomach upset. Therefore, the body may not be able to get rid of fluid as it should, and it may build up in your intestines and prevent nutrients from being taken in. Your doctor might suggest reducing your salt intake and offer you medications called diuretics that help clear the fluid.
Dementia
It weakens your ability to think alongside your clear memory and social interactions. Unexplained loss of weight can occur in the later stages since you forget to eat or find it more difficult to chew or swallow. Chronic infections, special food, and medications used to treat dementia may worsen it.