Unexplained weight gain
Overview
Unexplained weight gain refers to an increase in body weight that occurs without obvious changes to diet, exercise habits, or lifestyle factors. This symptom involves gaining pounds or kilograms over weeks or months despite maintaining normal eating and activity patterns.
Common Causes
Unexplained weight gain can occur due to several common factors. Hormonal changes, particularly involving the thyroid, insulin, or reproductive hormones, can slow metabolism and affect how your body stores fat. Certain medications like antidepressants, steroids, or blood pressure medications may cause weight gain as a side effect. Stress and poor sleep patterns can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger and metabolism. Fluid retention from excess sodium intake, hormonal fluctuations, or underlying health conditions can also contribute to sudden weight increases. Age-related muscle loss naturally slows metabolism, making weight gain more likely even with unchanged eating habits.
Severity Levels
Mild: You may notice your clothes feeling slightly tighter or the scale showing a few extra pounds over several weeks, even though your eating and exercise habits haven't changed.
Moderate: Weight gain becomes more noticeable with clothing no longer fitting properly and a clear upward trend on the scale over a month or two, despite maintaining your usual lifestyle.
Severe: Significant weight increase of 10+ pounds occurs rapidly over a few weeks, causing substantial changes in how clothes fit and potentially affecting your daily activities, all without any changes to your diet or exercise routine.
Medical Attention
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience sudden weight gain of more than 2-3 pounds in a few days, or gradual weight gain of 5+ pounds over several weeks without changes to your eating or exercise habits. Seek immediate medical attention if weight gain is accompanied by severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or significant swelling in your legs, ankles, or abdomen. It's also important to schedule an appointment if you notice other concerning symptoms like extreme fatigue, changes in appetite, or mood changes alongside the weight gain.
4k+ Collection Centres
90k+ Biomarkers Tested
Early Detection