Unintentional Weight Loss
Losing more than 5% of body weight in 6–12 months without trying. A non-specific but always-significant symptom — the lab work-up rules in or out the leading reversible causes.
What it means
Unintentional weight loss is loss of >5% of body weight over 6–12 months without dietary or exercise change. It is never normal in an adult and warrants investigation. Roughly 25% of cases turn out to be cancer, 25% gastrointestinal disease, 25% endocrine / metabolic, and 25% psychiatric or social. The clinical approach uses a careful history, physical examination and a focused lab panel to triage into the most likely category quickly.
Common causes
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes — classic triad of weight loss, polyuria, polydipsia.
- Hyperthyroidism — weight loss despite increased appetite.
- Cancer — most commonly gastrointestinal, lung, lymphoma, pancreatic.
- Gastrointestinal disease — coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis.
- Chronic infection — tuberculosis, HIV, endocarditis.
- Depression, anxiety, dementia — common in elderly populations.
- Adrenal insufficiency — fatigue, low blood pressure, hyperpigmentation.
Lab work-up approach
Initial panel: CBC, comprehensive metabolic (glucose, creatinine, ALT, calcium, albumin), TSH, HbA1c, CRP, ferritin, chest X-ray, urinalysis, and age-appropriate cancer screening (faecal occult blood, mammography, colonoscopy). Targeted second-tier tests depend on findings — anti-TTG for coeliac, HIV serology if exposure history, abdominal imaging if GI symptoms.
Tests Mediora.AI can interpret
Related conditions
When to see a doctor
Any unintentional loss of >5% body weight over 6–12 months warrants a primary-care visit. Rapid loss (>10% over 6 months) or associated red flags (blood in stool, persistent abdominal pain, night sweats, persistent fever, palpable mass, lymphadenopathy) need urgent evaluation.