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Asking for a friend, if he keeps eating but keeps losing weight, might it mean he's sick?

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Unexplained Weight Loss: Causes and risk factors​


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Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — Written by Kirsten Nunez and Alina Sharon — Updated on June 30, 2023
Losing weight without trying may indicate an underlying condition. Conditions that cause unexplained weight loss include overactive thyroid, inflammatory bowel disease, and depression.
A good rule of thumb is to see your doctor if you’ve lost a significant amount — more than 5%Trusted Source of your weight — within 6 to 12 months.

In addition, take note of any other symptoms to discuss with your doctor. Read on to learn what can cause unexplained weight loss.


What diseases cause unexplained weight loss?​

Not all weight loss is serious. It can happen after a life changing or stressful event. However, unexplained or unintentional weight loss may indicate one of these medical conditions:
  • Muscle loss (muscle atrophy): This can lead to unexpected weight loss from loss of muscle, most commonly if you don’t use your muscles for a while. It’s most common in people who don’t exercise, work desk jobs, or are bedridden.
  • Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid develops when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. These hormones control many functions in the body, including metabolism. If your thyroid is overactive, you’ll quickly burn calories even if you have a good appetite.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): This causes your immune system to attack the lining of your joints, leading to inflammation that can speed up metabolism and reduce your overall weight.
  • Type 1 diabetes: Your immune system attacks cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Without insulin, your body can’t use glucose for energy. This causes high blood glucose and causes your body to burn fat and muscle for energy.
  • Depression: This mood disorder affects the same brain parts that control appetite. This can lead to poor appetite and, eventually, weight loss. In some people, depression may increase appetite. The symptoms vary from person to person.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): The chronic inflammation of IBD puts your body in a catabolic state, which means it constantly uses energy. IBD also disrupts ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and leptin, the satiety hormone. This results in decreased appetite.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This progressive lung disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In later stages, COPD can cause weight loss because labored breathing burns many calories.
  • Endocarditis: This is inflammation of your heart’s inner lining or endocardium caused by germs —usually bacteria — that enter the bloodstream and collect in your heart. Most people with endocarditis have a fever. It may come along with a poor appetite. Elevated body temperature also increases metabolism and burns fat, causing weight loss.
  • Tuberculosis (TB): This contagious condition usually affects the lungs. Weight loss and decreased appetite are major symptoms of TB, but the reasons aren’t fully understood.
  • Cancer: This is the general term for diseases that cause abnormal cells to quickly divide and spread. According to the American Cancer Society,Trusted Source one of the first signs may be unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds (lb) or more. Cancer increases inflammation, promoting muscle wasting and disrupting appetite-regulating hormones. A growing tumor may also increase your resting energy expenditure (REE) or how much energy your body burns at rest.
  • Addison’s disease: This rare condition causes the immune system to attack the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands can’t make enough hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol regulates many functions, including metabolism and appetite. Low levels of cortisol may lead to poor appetite.
 
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