Why Am I Losing Weight Without Trying? 9 Expert-Backed Reasons
If you’ve set out to lose some weight and you’re watching the pounds melt off, congratulations! Everything seems to be working as planned. However, if you’re unintentionally losing weight, it might not be cause for celebration. Your weight is a vital indicator of your overall health, and significant fluctuations could signal an underlying issue. While it might seem like good fortune if you happen to Lose 10 Pounds In 2 Months Without Trying, such unexpected changes warrant closer attention. Deep breaths – the goal isn’t to cause alarm, but rather to emphasize caution when it comes to health matters. A consultation with your doctor can quickly determine if everything is fine or if further investigation is needed to identify any medical reasons.
“If you lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight over the course of three to six months, you need to get checked out,” advises Reshmi Srinath, M.D., assistant professor of diabetes, endocrinology, and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. For instance, dropping from 150 pounds to 135 pounds within a few months without explanation is a clear sign that something might be amiss with your health. Similarly, if you haven’t been tracking your weight but notice your clothes becoming significantly looser, it’s wise to consult your primary-care physician to understand the reason behind the scale’s movement. Before your appointment, try to recall any recent changes in your lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, or any symptoms you might have dismissed, like fatigue or headaches. These details can be crucial clues for diagnosis.
Here are nine potential reasons for unintended weight loss that you and your doctor will want to consider and rule out.
Cancer
Let’s address the most serious concern first. Yes, cancer can lead to rapid weight loss. “If someone reports abrupt weight loss but denies any change in their food intake, their exercise routine, their stress level, and they say their medications have been stable, I would get concerned it was something serious like cancer,” Dr. Srinath states. Many cancers are associated with a condition called cancer cachexia, adds Maya Feller, R.D. “Cancer cachexia is characterized by systemic inflammation, negative protein and energy balance, and an involuntary loss of lean body mass.” This wasting syndrome is most commonly observed in the advanced stages of gastric and pancreatic cancers, as well as certain lung, head and neck, and colorectal cancers. If you’ve been ignoring other symptoms and then notice significant weight loss, seek medical attention immediately.
Stress
Significant life stressors can impact appetite and weight. “I have a lot of people who come to me after going through stuff at work or drama with their family or social stressors, and they’ve just stopped eating as much,” says Dr. Srinath. This loss of appetite is linked to the “fight or flight” hormones released during stressful periods. “A structure in the brain called the hypothalamus produces corticotropin-releasing hormone, which suppresses appetite,” explains Feller. “The brain also sends messages to the adrenal glands that sit atop the kidneys to pump out the hormone epinephrine [also known as adrenaline], which helps trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, a revved-up physiological state that temporarily puts eating on hold.” When your appetite diminishes due to stress, weight loss often follows.
Woman demonstrating a yoga pose for stress relief which can sometimes be linked to unintentional weight loss
Gut Disease
Certain gastrointestinal conditions can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss. “Conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, lactose intolerance, and intestinal damage will lead to weight loss because they cause malabsorption,” Dr. Srinath explains. Malabsorption occurs when your gut is unable to absorb essential nutrients effectively. While many gut diseases are treatable—for example, celiac disease often requires adopting a gluten-free diet—a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist is necessary first.
Diabetes
The onset of diabetes can sometimes cause significant weight loss. “The reason for that is their sugars are so high it actually overwhelms their kidneys and their system,” Dr. Srinath notes. “They’re not able to use their blood sugar for fuel; it just all gets filtered by the kidneys and excreted. So rather than that sugar going where it needs to go—the muscles, the bones—it’s just lost.” Individuals developing diabetes often experience other symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
Thyroid Disease
The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, so thyroid disorders can significantly impact weight. While a faster metabolism might seem beneficial for weight loss, an excessively high metabolic rate due to hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) can be detrimental to health. “If someone has an overactive thyroid—a disease called hyperthyroidism—they’ll present with rapid weight loss and sometimes additional complications, such as a raised heart rate, more anxiety, jitters and tremors, or insomnia—signs of being more ramped up,” says Dr. Srinath.
Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison’s disease, happens when the body doesn’t produce enough cortisol, the stress hormone. “Under high stress, you produce a ton of cortisol, that’s the normal response,” Dr. Srinath explains. “People who [have] very low cortisol levels can’t have that normal stress response, so they get super sick.” Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency often include rapid weight loss, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and an increase in infections.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the joints, impacting roughly 1 to 3 percent of women. This condition can also lead to rapid weight loss. In RA, pro-inflammatory cytokines not only cause inflammation but also increase the body’s energy expenditure, meaning more calories and fat are burned daily, explains Feller. Rheumatoid arthritis typically begins to develop between the ages of 30 and 50.
Depression
A reduced appetite and subsequent weight loss are common symptoms associated with depression. “Some people with depression may experience decreased energy as well as decreased interest in many areas,” says Feller. “This can transfer over to food, resulting in a reduced intake and, in turn, weight loss.” Changes in mood and interest levels can significantly impact eating habits.
Parasites
Parasitic infections, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal tract like helminths and protozoa, can cause a range of symptoms leading to weight loss, according to Pascale M. White, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and director of the gastroenterology clinic at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite,” she says. These symptoms can collectively contribute to unintended weight reduction.
In conclusion, while shedding pounds might seem desirable, losing weight without a clear reason, especially a significant amount over a relatively short period, should not be ignored. Various underlying conditions, ranging from stress and gut issues to more serious diseases like diabetes, thyroid disorders, or cancer, could be the cause. Paying attention to your body and consulting with a healthcare professional if you experience unexplained weight loss is crucial for identifying the root cause and receiving appropriate care.
