Unexplained weight loss? Your body could be sounding an alarm
Unexplained Weight Loss: When Should You Get It Checked?
Have you noticed that you've lost weight recently without trying? Maybe five kilograms or more in the last few months.
At first, you might think, "Great." But unexplained weight loss can actually be your body's way of sounding an alarm.
In Australia, we generally define significant weight loss as losing more than 5% of your body weight over six to 12 months.
As a gastroenterologist, I often see patients whose weight loss is linked to the gut. Today, I want to explain why it's important to check it out early.
Why Might You Be Losing Weight?
Your body could be losing weight for a few main reasons.
Maybe it's not absorbing nutrients properly. Maybe inflammation is burning extra energy. And in some cases, something more serious, like a growth or cancer, is affecting the digestive system.
So, here are the most common digestive reasons we see.
1. Coeliac Disease
Number one, coeliac disease.
This isn't just gluten sensitivity. In coeliac disease, gluten causes damage to the small intestine, so your body can't absorb nutrients even if you eat well.
2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Number two, inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD.
This includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Ongoing inflammation in the gut can increase your energy needs, which may lead to weight loss over time.
3. Pancreatic Problems
Third, pancreatic problems.
If your pancreas isn't producing enough enzymes, then you can't digest fat and protein properly. A key sign may include pale or oily stools.
4. Stomach Issues
Stomach issues, including things like ulcers or delayed stomach emptying, can make you feel full too quickly, so you eat less without realising it.
5. GI Cancers
And finally, GI cancers.
These are less common but serious. Cancers in the stomach, colon or pancreas can cause weight loss, especially if you notice changes in your bowel habits or feel unusually tired.
How We Investigate Unexplained Weight Loss
When you come to us, we take a careful, step-by-step approach.
Blood tests, stool tests and sometimes a gastroscopy and colonoscopy help us see exactly what's going on.
The good news is that most digestive causes of weight loss are treatable, especially if we catch them early.
The Take-Home Message
So, here's the take-home message: your weight is an important health signal.
If it's dropping and you haven't changed your diet or activity, don't ignore it.
Talk to your GP, get a referral to see a gastroenterologist, and let's figure out what's really going on.
Catching it early makes a big difference.
Additional videos on a range of common conditions are available to view on the Gastroenterology Specialist Care YouTube channel.
Note, this video is not a medical consultation. Any medical information is general in nature and is not intended to provide individual clinical advice. You should contact your doctor or other healthcare professional in relation to any concerns they may have, as your own circumstances may be different.
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