Understanding Unexplained Weight Loss: Causes & When to See a Doctor

Unexplained weight loss is when you shed pounds without any specific effort to do so. This can be a symptom of a wide variety of medical conditions. While it may seem to be a welcome change, ignoring it can be dangerous.

When to Be Concerned

• Temporary or minor weight loss isn't generally cause for concern, but if it's ongoing, or you lose more than 10 pounds or 5 percent of your body weight, a medical exam is in order.

Cancer

• Cancers and cancer treatments can lead to unexplained weight loss, sometimes as a result of diminished appetite, diarrhea or vomiting, but sometimes with no noticeable explanation.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Problems like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer disease, celiac disease and other conditions that affect the digestive tract and processes can cause weight loss.

Endocrine Disorders

• Medical conditions affecting the endocrine system, including adrenal and thyroid disorders and diabetes, can lead to unexplained weight loss.

Mood Disorders

• Depression, anxiety disorders, stress and other mood disorders can trigger weight loss. Often this is a result of loss of appetite and a failure to eat properly.

Other Conditions

• Other medical conditions that can cause unexplained weight loss include side effects of medications, age-related loss of appetite, fungal or parasitic infections, HIV, heart, lung or kidney disease, and a variety of neurological damage or diseases.