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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffUnexplained weight loss occurs when you drop pounds without trying to. While for some people it's a welcome surprise, unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of an underlying medical disorder.
Your body weight is determined by your calorie intake, overall health, age, nutrient absorption and other factors. After you reach middle adulthood, your weight should remain relatively stable from year to year, although a decrease of a few pounds is rarely cause for concern.
Sometimes you don't need to do anything further after unexplained weight loss, especially if it's temporary. However, if you unexpectedly lose 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or more, or 5 percent of your body weight, or if the weight loss persists, there might be something else going on.
- Rolla AR. Approach to the patient with weight loss. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 3, 2009.
- Bouras EP, et al. Rational approach to patients with unintentional weight loss. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2001;76:923.
- O'Grady G. Unintentional weight loss. In: Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141290047-8/848306837/959/149.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-00828-3..50030-3_601. Accessed June 3, 2009.
- Proctor DD. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141290047-8/848306837/1492/511.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50139-7--cesec32_5741. Accessed June 3, 2009.
