Why am I losing weight without trying?
Unintentional weight loss is a symptom that always deserves investigation, never celebration by default. The line is losing more than about 5 percent of body weight in six to twelve months.
The findable causes span overactive thyroid, diabetes, depression and anxiety, gut conditions that steal absorption, chronic infections, medications, and yes, sometimes cancers, which is exactly why early checking matters and usually reassures.
Track actual numbers weekly rather than clothes-feel, list appetite, mood, bowel and sleep changes, and book a proper appointment with that log. Most causes found early are very treatable.
Source: NHS, unintentional weight loss
See a doctor promptly if
- Tiredness with unintentional weight loss, drenching night sweats, or new lumps
- Breathlessness at rest or on mild effort, chest pain, or fainting
- Very heavy periods, black tarry stools, or visible blood in stool alongside tiredness
- Falling asleep while driving or operating machinery, or witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep
- New confusion, severe headache, or genuine loss of muscle power rather than low energy
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Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
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