Increased appetite

Increased appetite (polyphagia) is a persistent or excessive feeling of hunger beyond normal needs. Much of the time it is entirely physiological: more physical activity, growth spurts in children and teenagers, pregnancy and breastfeeding, recovering from illness, or a change in routine or sleep all naturally increase hunger. But a marked, persistent increase can point to a medical cause, and the pattern of accompanying symptoms is the clue. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) speeds up metabolism, causing increased appetite alongside weight loss, heat intolerance, a fast heartbeat and anxiety. Uncontrolled diabetes causes hunger together with excessive thirst, frequent urination and, often, weight loss, because the body cannot use the glucose it is craving. Low blood sugar (in people with diabetes on treatment) triggers hunger. Certain medications, notably steroids and some used for mood or psychiatric conditions, increase appetite, as can psychological factors and poor sleep. So the key is whether increased appetite comes with weight loss, thirst, or other symptoms that point to a specific, treatable cause.

• Increased activity, growth, pregnancy or breastfeeding — normal, physiological hunger.
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) — hunger with weight loss, heat intolerance, palpitations.
• Uncontrolled diabetes — hunger with thirst, frequent urination and often weight loss.
• Low blood sugar — in people with diabetes on treatment.
• Medications — steroids, and some antidepressants and antipsychotics.
• Psychological factors and poor sleep — stress, low mood, sleep deprivation.
• Recovery from illness.

Increased appetite with a clear cause (more exercise, growth, pregnancy) needs no tests. When it is marked, persistent or unexplained — especially with weight loss, thirst or other symptoms — a targeted panel helps: TSH (and thyroid hormones) for an overactive thyroid, and fasting glucose or HbA1c for diabetes, which is particularly important when hunger comes with thirst and frequent urination. A medication review often explains a change in appetite. Mediora.AI surfaces the thyroid and glucose pattern from your results to help identify a treatable cause; the interpretation belongs with your doctor.