Unintentional Weight Loss

About the Symptom

Unintentional weight loss is when one loses weight without changing the diet or exercise routine.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Unintentional weight loss

Possible Causes

Generally, Unintentional weight loss can be related to:

• Pancreatic Cancer

  Pancreatic cancers most commonly arise in the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas. Risk factors include heavy alcohol use resulting in chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, and a family history of pancreatic cancer as well as some inherited syndromes. There are usually no symptoms when the tumor is small but later symptoms include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), mid-back pain, abdominal pain or discomfort, weight loss and fatigue.

• Pleural Mesothelioma

  Pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs in the thin tissue layer around the lungs. It's more common in people over 50 years old. The most likely cause is long-term exposure to a mineral called "asbestos".

• Castleman's Disease / TAFLO Syndrome

  Castleman disease is a rare disorder where lymph node cells overgrow. Often, only one lymph node is affected, usually in the chest or abdomen. The exact cause is unknown but may be linked to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).

• Bone Tumor
• Graves' Disease
• Esophageal Cancer
• Functional Dyspepsia
• Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Unintentional weight loss may be related to these serious diseases:

• Ketoacidosis

  Ketoacidosis is a metabolic state characterized by elevated blood ketone levels, often associated with diabetes.

• Adrenal Insufficiency (e.g. Addison Disease)

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you experienced unintentional weight loss of more than 5% or 4.4lbs/2kg within one month?

Find Similar Symptoms