Unintentional Weight Gain
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Unexplained weight gain
Experienced sudden weight gain without a clear reason
Unintentional weight gain of more than 4.4lbs/2kg
Significant weight gain over the last month
I gained more than 5% of my weight in one month
About the Symptom
Weight gain of 5% or more in 1 month with no obvious intentional cause such as eating more or exercising less. It can be caused by medication side effects, hormonal changes or chronic or new illnesses.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Unintentional weight gain
Possible Causes
Generally, Unintentional weight gain can be related to:
- Drug-Induced Obesity
Drug-induced weight gain is a side effect of many commonly used drugs, such as long-term steroid medication. This often leads to obesity-related health problems. Due to the weight gain, some patients discontinue the medication.
- Cushing's Syndrome
This condition is caused by excessive amounts of a hormone called cortisol. It may be caused by the consumption of some steroid medications or the body producing too much cortisol because of a tumor. It can present with a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure bone loss or diabetes.
- Nephrotic Syndrome
A condition where the blood vessels in your kidneys get damaged and leak protein. Common causes include autoimmune (the body's immune system attacking itself) and diabetic kidney disease. It causes swelling in your body, usually in the feet and ankles.
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
- Portal Hypertension
- Depression
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Unintentional weight gain may be related to these serious diseases:
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Acute kidney (renal) failure happens when the kidneys suddenly can't filter waste products from the blood. This can cause dangerous waste levels to build up and the blood's chemical balance to be disrupted. Acute kidney failure can be life-threatening and it usually develops over a few hours or days.
- Acute Glomerulonephritis
- Preeclampsia
- Heart Failure
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Have you gained more than 4.4lbs/2kg in one month without trying?
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Hidetaka Hamasaki, MD (Endocrinology)
Dr. Hamasaki graduated from the Hiroshima University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University. He completed his residency at the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital and the Department of Internal Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine. He has served in the National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital and Kohnodai Hospital and joined Hamasaki Clinic in April 2017. Dr. Hamasaki specializes in diabetes and treats a wide range of internal medicine and endocrine disorders.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
How can unexplained weight gain be diagnosed?
A.
Unexplained weight gain can be diagnosed by examining medical history, lifestyle, and potential conditions like thyroid issues or diabetes treatment effects.
References:
Harsch IA, & Hahn EG. (2010). [Unexplained weight gain in a 41-year-old woman]. Der Internist, 19902156.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19902156/
Kyriacou A, Kyriacou A, Makris KC, Syed AA, & Perros P. (2019). Weight gain following treatment of hyperthyroidism-A .... Clinical obesity, 31267667.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31267667/
Edens MA, van Dijk PR, Hak E, & Bilo HJG. (2023). Determinants of excessive weight gain after the initiation .... Diabetes research and clinical practice, 37196706.
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Unintentional Weight Gain - Mount Sinai
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/weight-gain-unintentional