Unexplained weight loss
Weight loss can happen for many reasons, but if there is not an obvious cause it can be a sign of serious illness. At the London Liver Group, we diagnose the underlying cause of weight loss and offer an expert treatment plan personalised to you.
What is unexplained weight loss?
Unexplained weight loss happens when you lose weight without a clear reason. If you have gone through a highly stressful event, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, it is normal to lose some weight.
Unintentional weight loss is loosely defined as losing 5% of your total body weight over a few months without any obvious cause. It can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including digestive issues and mental health conditions.
Speak to a doctor about unexplained weight loss as it can be a sign of a more serious condition. At the London Liver Group, we will work with you to understand your condition and provide the very best treatment.
An experienced multidisciplinary team will support you from your first consultation, during your treatment and throughout your recovery.
Causes
Unexplained weight loss can be caused by:
• Stress
• Thyroid disorders
• Coeliac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Cancer
• Diabetes
Treating the cause of weight loss can help you manage changes in your weight.
Speak to a doctor instead of trying to self-diagnose if you have lost a significant amount of weight in a short space of time.
Symptoms
Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of different conditions.
If you get other symptoms along with weight loss, this can indicate what condition is causing it.
Other symptoms that can happen with weight loss include:
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling tired
• Changes in your bowel habits
• Getting more frequent infections
More serious symptoms that can happen with unexplained weight loss include bleeding from your back passage, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your weight loss after discussing your symptoms and a physical examination. Depending on the cause they suspect, they may also run some blood tests or order some scans to check for any changes in your body.
These scans include a computed tomography (CT) scan or an X-ray. A CT scan will show detailed pictures of your organs, blood vessels and bones and is useful in detecting cancer.
Your doctor may also order an endoscopy, which is a camera attached to a tube that is passed through your body to look at your digestive tract. At the London Liver Group, we offer an innovative capsule endoscopy service which is different to the traditional method of endoscopy.
During a capsule endoscopy, you will swallow a small pill that contains a camera; this pill will travel through your digestive tract before being passed naturally.
A capsule endoscopy procedure takes less time, is less uncomfortable and has fewer side effects than a traditional endoscopy.
Treatments
The treatment for unexplained weight loss will depend on the diagnosis. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or prescription medication to treat the cause of the weight loss.
In some cases, you might be referred to a specialist depending on the condition your doctor wants to investigate. You may also be referred to a dietitian service to discuss ways to increase your weight.