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Sudden Weight Loss? Find Out The Possible Causes

Ms. Smitakshi Guha

4 Min Read

Fast Check Fact Checked

Losing weight is most often a common goal in people’s life. But when you suddenly start losing weight without even trying or making any prominent changes to your lifestyle, it can be a matter of concern. Unexplained weight loss, in many cases, indicates an underlying health condition. It thus becomes crucial to keep a track of your symptoms and undergo timely health checks if you suddenly seem to have lost a significant amount of weight.

Below are 6 possible causes of sudden weight loss—

An overactive thyroid

This is a thyroid disorder known as hyperthyroidism, wherein there’s an over-secretion of the thyroid hormones from your thyroid gland. This over-production of the hormone results in a faster metabolism, making you burn calories quicker than usual, despite your regular appetite, and thus causing the unexplained weight gain.

Some of the other common symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism include fatigue, trouble sleeping, increased heart rate, scanty periods in women, etc.

If your unexplained weight loss is accompanied by any of these symptoms, it’s advised that you opt for a thyroid test. You can book an at-home thyroid screening from MFine and know if a thyroid disorder is indeed the reason behind your sudden weight loss.

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Sudden muscle loss

Human bodies are made up of fat mass and fat-free mass, including bones, water, and muscles. When you suddenly lose out on muscles, you end up losing weight. This is a common symptom in people who have a sedentary lifestyle, with little to no exercise and desk jobs, since in such people, the use of muscles is very less compared to others. Some common causes of muscle loss include ageing, stroke, injuries in the bones, arthritis, etc.

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Diabetes

While many people think that only being overweight is a common risk factor associated with diabetes, the reality is that sudden weight loss is a prominent symptom associated with diabetes, especially with Type 1 diabetes. When you suffer from type 1 diabetes, your immune system starts attacking the cells in your pancreas that make the hormone that lowers sugars. In the absence of this hormone, your body can’t use glucose for energy anymore and this results in high blood glucose.

Your kidneys start removing the unused glucose from your body through your urine, and along with this glucose, the calories are flushed out too, causing your weight loss.

Some other common symptoms associated with type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, fatigue, dehydration, excessive thirst, etc. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s recommended that you undergo a diabetes screening. You can book an at-home diabetes screening on MFine.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

This type of arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder, wherein your immune system starts attacking the lining of your joints. This results in pain and inflammation in the joints. The inflammation further speeds up your metabolism, causing that sudden weight loss.

Some common symptoms associated with RA include swelling and stiffness in the joints, restricted movement, etc. It’s better to go for regular full body checks to understand your risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis so that you can manage it better.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

This is a chronic lung disease that slowly damages the air sacs in the lungs, making it very difficult for one to breathe. Some of the early signs of COPD include chest tightness, wheezing, breathing difficulties, and cough. As it progresses, it may cause loss of appetite and subsequently a sudden loss of weight. One of the primary causes of COPD is prolonged smoking or exposure to dust and pollution. You should definitely take the smoker’s test on MFine in case you smoke regularly or occasionally, to know your health risks.

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Depression

The reason behind your sudden weight loss can also be your poor mental health. Medically, depression is defined as prolonged sadness or lack of motivation that lasts for at least two weeks. This state of mind can meddle with your daily activities, including your lack of sleep and appetite, thus making you lose weight. While the severity of depression and its symptoms vary from person to person, it’s always advisable to talk to an expert as soon as possible to manage the situation better. In case you’re stressed a little too much of late, it’s advised that you take a stress assessment test to know if you’re subjecting yourself to any health risks or deficiencies due to chronic stress.

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Now that you’re aware of some of the most common possibilities behind your sudden weight loss, make sure you undergo relevant health checks from time to time. You can book a lab test or a health check at home on MFine and avail attractive discounts. Stay home, stay safe!