Weight loss can occur in patients with normal appetites or decreased appetites. Get the latest health tips and articles delivered directly to your inbox. Your health professional can refer you to a dietitian, who can offer suggestions on getting enough calories. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. What kind of weight loss is alarming? Long-term infections like tuberculosis, HIV, or chronic parasites can cause weight loss. What type of infection can cause weight loss? If itching persists or worsens, consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment. If you notice you’re having unexplained weight loss, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor. “If someone comes to me with unexplained weight loss, I’ll check their stomach and colon and bowels for tumors or inflammation,” she says. Other issues that may cause unexpected weight loss Other issues with your stomach and gut can also lead to weight loss, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.¹¹ This can cause weight loss.⁹ Typical oral health issues include losing teeth, a new orthodontic device, mouth ulcers, or jaw pain. What diseases cause weight loss? What is an unhealthy amount of weight loss? Yes, stress and anxiety can affect your appetite, digestion, and sleep, all of which can lead to unintentional weight loss. What is the main cause of unexpected weight loss? When should I see my provider about unintentional weight loss? Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. Often, a combination of things results in changes in your health and related weight loss. Unintended weight loss may have medical and nonmedical causes. According to the Mayo Clinic, losing more than 5% of weight in the span of 6-12 months without doing any exercise or following a diet especially should be a cause of concern and may indicate a problem. When you are on a weight loss journey, the shedding of every inch and kilo must be celebrated as it comes with a lot of effort. You may need a special diet to prevent further weight loss or to regain lost pounds. Your healthcare professional may order blood and urine tests that can give information about your general health. Interestingly, when calculating temporal associations, one study showed that the strength of the association between UWL and cancer decreased after 6 months of the UWL visit.13 For men aged 60–79, cancer was the most common condition diagnosed in patients with and without UWL, while in women with UWL in the same age group, cancer was the third most common diagnosis after depression and thyroid disorders. Strong evidence supports UWL as a risk factor for cancer across diverse populations, both in general practice and in patients with cancer. As the aim of this review is to synthesise the current evidence on UWL as a risk factor for cancer, no restrictions were made on study type; we included all relevant original research, and systematic and narrative reviews. Guidelines including UWL as a risk factor for cancer However, no literature exists solely looking at mirtazapine use for unintentional weight loss. Decreased saliva production, ill-fitting dentures, periodontal disease, and weakened mastication muscles can lead to poor dentition and impaired chewing.29 A cross-sectional, self-administered study distributed to more than 100,000 community-dwelling older adults in Japan found a significant correlation between having fewer teeth and lower weight in both sexes. Common strategies to address unintentional weight loss in older adults are dietary changes, environmental modifications, nutritional supplements, flavor enhancers, and appetite stimulants.28 Follow-up at least annually is prudent if the initial evaluation does not determine a cause for the unintentional weight loss.2 Jawwad is an experienced medical writer specializing in health and wellness topics. Approach to weight loss in adults. Some medications (like antidepressants or chemotherapy) and surgeries (like gallbladder removal or hysterectomy) can lead to weight loss. Can medications or surgery cause weight loss? Unplanned weight loss with fatigue, fever, night sweats, or pain is a big concern. At each of these stages there are many, wide ranging causes which can result in unintentional weight loss. There are many reasons a person can lose weight unintentionally, and they are not all because of specific health conditions. Hookworm infection of the gut is another example where weight loss may be the first indication of disease. If a comparator patient without unexpected weight loss was excluded, we excluded only that one comparator. If a patient with unexpected weight loss was excluded, their matched comparators were excluded. In the 3–24 months after presenting with UWL, cancer diagnosis was less likely than in comparators. A medical or mental health condition may cause this weight loss. “Identifying an underlying cause of unexplained weight loss can be challenging and may require a lot of diagnostic testing and time,” Goukasian said. It is, according to UCLA, the No. 1 cause of unintentional weight loss, and about 4 in 10 cancer diagnoses begin this way. If you lose more than 5% of your body weight in 6 months without trying, it’s considered unhealthy and worth checking with a doctor. Lifestyle factors and weight loss Future analyses must establish the role of risk factors and accompanying symptoms, signs and simple primary care tests that could safely be used to select patients with unexpected weight loss for further intensive cancer investigation. For patients with unexpected weight loss not initially investigated for possible cancer, or in those with ongoing unexpected weight loss for whom initial investigation does not identify malignancy, primary care clinicians could employ a policy of watchful waiting over the subsequent 3 months when the risk of a cancer being detected is greatest. Research is urgently required to identify patients with unexpected weight loss at greatest risk of cancer and other serious diseases to inform evidence-based guidelines by using additional risk factors, clinical features, and primary care tests. McMinn J, Steel C, Bowman A. Investigation and management of unintentional weight loss in older adults. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome of diminished muscle mass and function, which may or may not be accompanied by unintentional weight loss.Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, et al. There is no formal consensus definition of unintentional weight loss; however, the weight loss must be considered unintentional by the patient and treating practitioner. The most pressing concern is the assessment for the presence of cancer or other conditions for which early diagnosis may lead to better outcomes. However, unexpected weight loss may be a presenting feature of cancer in primary care that, when recorded in older people, warrants early investigation across a broad range of cancer sites. Our estimate of association between unexpected weight loss and myeloma was imprecise as there were few with myeloma, but a previous case–control study found an increased risk of myeloma in the 3 months following presenting with unexpected weight loss.41 A case–control study excluded unexpected weight loss as it was present in 39 A negative association means that breast cancer may still be diagnosed following unexpected weight loss, but this is less likely than in patients without unexpected weight loss. Most previous studies have used a 1–2 year pre-diagnostic period to examine the association between unexpected weight loss and cancer diagnosis.16 A common justification is ‘a 2-year period was used, since this represents the period of time during which existing cancers are likely to become clinically manifest’.32,33 This does not allow the predictive value of a given symptom to vary during different periods before diagnosis. Univariate smoothed hazard rate and cumulative hazard of cancer diagnosis by gender in patients with and without unexpected weight loss. Living Your Best Life with Diabetes If your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, it revs up your metabolism so you burn more calories and lose weight. After your provider finds the cause, they’ll work with you to determine the best treatment. Losing weight unexpectedly may seem like a good thing, so you might be tempted to ignore it. Univariable and multivariable time-to-event analyses examined the association between UWL, and all cancers combined, cancer site and stage.Unexplained weight loss can be from a multitude of underlying conditions.With appropriate treatment, many people are able to regain lost weight and improve their overall health and quality of life.However, in some cases, unexpected weight loss can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS.In most cases, the weight loss due to the above conditions is an identifiable symptom of a known underlying problem.After gallbladder removal, some individuals may experience weight loss due to changes in digestion and bile flow. We update content regularly to reflect new health information. Our team ensures that the information you read is accurate, up-to-date, and based on trusted medical sources. If it’s fast and comes with other symptoms, don’t delay seeing a doctor. These help look for infections, hormone issues, or cancer. The plant-based approach to weight loss that worked when nothing else did Prolonged weight loss can result in a loss of muscle mass, which can impair physical function and increase the risk of osteoporosis.Talk to your doctor if you keep losing weight.Diagnosing unexpected weight loss typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests.This evidence review informs recommendations for investigating patients with UWL and will contribute to a computer decision support tool implementation in primary care, enhance UWL assessment, and potentially facilitate earlier cancer diagnosis.What type of infection can cause weight loss?Weight loss affecting someone whose mental health is suffering may be the most obvious symptom to family and friends.While not always bad, unexplained weight loss often warrants attention. This was most often stage IV cancer but there was also an increased likelihood of stage III in men (Table 2). The same difference between sexes was seen across the first 6 months (Fig. 3, Table 2). Each model is adjusted for age-group, smoking status, alcohol intake, ethnicity, deprivation, BMI-group and family history of cancer and stratified by comorbidity. This evidence review informs recommendations for investigating patients with UWL and will contribute to a computer decision support tool implementation in primary care, enhance UWL assessment, and potentially facilitate earlier cancer diagnosis. If you’ve lost more than 5–10% of your body weight in 6 months without trying, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider. Did you know that unintentionally losing more than 5% of your body weight in just 6 months can be a sign of an underlying medical issue? Two studies in this review provided evidence in patients with pancreatic cancer suggesting that the risk of pancreatic cancer and mortality increases the higher the weight loss.25,30 However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the specific amount of weight loss over a certain period and how it correlates with the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis in primary care.33 In this review, only Wong et al tailored their recommendations to the amount of weight loss. The literature links unexpected weight loss with long delays in the interval between the symptom onset and the final cancer diagnosis (the diagnostic interval).6 Our analysis shows that patients are diagnosed with cancer within three months of their GP recording it (the health system interval). To our knowledge this is the largest study to examine the association between unexpected weight loss and subsequent cancer diagnosis in primary care. After the initial three-month period, the risk of a cancer diagnosis dropped below the risk of cancer in patients without unexpected weight loss, and this reduction is sustained for the following 21 months. Save on diabetes test strips, glucose meters, lancets, and more from trusted brands such as FreeStyle, OneTouch Ultra, Accu-Chek, Bayer, Prodigy, TRUEtest & many more. Dexcom G6 vs. G7 Comparison If you’ve been living with diabetes for... Those of us living with diabetes are often forced to look at... Living with diabetes doesn’t mean your best days are behind you. For more information about diabetes and related topics, visit our blog at Diabetic Warehouse. In all, 63,973 of 4,832,140 (1.3%) patients had at least one record of unexpected weight loss in the eligible population (Fig. 1) (1.5% prior to exclusions).The first signs of cancer depend on the type and site of the cancer.However, complications like internal hernias can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss.Save on diabetes test strips, glucose meters, lancets, and more from trusted brands such as FreeStyle, OneTouch Ultra, Accu-Chek, Bayer, Prodigy, TRUEtest & many more.Decreased saliva production, ill-fitting dentures, periodontal disease, and weakened mastication muscles can lead to poor dentition and impaired chewing.29 A cross-sectional, self-administered study distributed to more than 100,000 community-dwelling older adults in Japan found a significant correlation between having fewer teeth and lower weight in both sexes.“Unexplained weight loss is a red flag,” she added in a news release.Losing more than 10 lbs (4.5 kg) in a few months without trying is a red flag. The data is provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support. This study is based on data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink obtained under licence from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Studies used to inform policy should therefore report estimates of association for the period of increased risk, which will likely vary by symptom and cancer site. NICE recommend urgent cancer investigation for patients with clinical features with a positive predictive value ≥3%. Similarly, predictive values could be overestimated as cancers occurring after the ‘at-risk’ period would be incorrectly classified as true positives. It can affect your metabolism (in both directions), so stress can result in both weight loss and weight gain, depending on how your body responds. The most common cause of unintentional weight loss is experiencing a stressful life event. While there are potentially a number of reasons for unexpected weight loss, some are more common than others. Unexpected weight loss is one of the reasons why doctors routinely weigh patients even during routine physical check-ups. Whatever the reason, rapid weight loss can be a big health concern¹ and should not be ignored. That tires you out and makes your body burn more calories, which can lead to weight loss. That can make it hard for your body to take in nutrients, and that can lead to weight loss. Sudden weight loss without a reason can be a sign of a health problem. Treating the underlying condition causing the weight loss can help you regain weight and start feeling better. The extra thyroxine causes many of your body's functions to speed up. Some people who drink a lot of alcohol may struggle to look after themselves well, which can cause them to lose weight. Weight loss affecting someone whose mental health is suffering may be the most obvious symptom to family and friends. Losing this much weight can be a sign of malnutrition. You may have an illness that needs treatment. Your weight often returns to normal when you start to feel better. It's normal to lose weight after the stress of changing jobs, divorce, redundancy or bereavement. His mission is to ensure that every article published on MedicaWire is accurate, trustworthy, and medically sound. When the body cannot use glucose (blood sugar) for the energy it needs to function correctly, it begins looking for other fuel sources.Adjusted hazard ratios for cancer in people with unexpected weight loss in men (5a) and women (5b) in the 6 months following presentation derived using cox regression adjusted for all covariates.Univariate smoothed hazard rate and cumulative hazard of cancer diagnosis by unexpected weight loss status.People with a family history of eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis may be more likely to experience itchiness during weight loss.The sooner you identify it and begin treating and managing the disease, the better you’ll feel and the healthier you’ll live.The amount you weigh is determined by a number of factors including age, your calorie intake and overall health.This condition causes the body to burn calories faster than usual, even without changes in diet or exercise.That tires you out and makes your body burn more calories, which can lead to weight loss. Implications for research and practice The appropriateness of the proportionality assumption in the Cox model varied by disease type (FigureS1).Sleeping problems or feeling hot all the time are also common symptoms of an overactive thyroid, she says.Men with UWL (HR 3.28 (2.88–3.73)) and women (1.87 (1.68–2.08)) were more likely than comparators to be diagnosed with cancer within 3 months.“Early symptoms may be fever, fatigue bleeding from any site, changes in moles, lump in the breast, hoarseness of voice or there may be no symptoms other than weight loss.This is the largest study to date examining the association between UWL as coded in the medical record and subsequent serious disease diagnosis in primary care.Withrow et al’s pathway for general investigations in primary care offers a valuable framework, ensuring a comprehensive approach tailored to specific populations (Supplementary Table S6).8 Another source of evidence to inform the selection of investigations for patients with unspecific symptoms, particularly UWL, is Rapid Diagnostic Centres in the UK.He or she may actually uncover other symptoms that you were either unaware of or did not think were significant.Your doctor might also order a urine test to rule out certain infections and chronic conditions. Unintentional weight loss in older adults is a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, total body weight usually peaks at 60 years of age with only small decreases after that. Multiple studies have looked at inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and gut hormones such as cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide, and ghrelin.5,6 Although evidence supports that inflammation and inflammatory mediators play a role in weight regulation, the exact mechanism is not understood.7 Dr Nicholson and his team did not participate in the selection or analysis phase of the studies included in this review. All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files. However, barriers to implementation, such as workflow integration, need to be addressed.48 Our review serves as a foundation for future research focusing on translating knowledge into actionable recommendations, potentially through tailored CDSS and guideline applications targeting unspecific symptoms like UWL. While cancer should be considered, especially in those over 60, other common disorders, particularly in those under 60, should not be overlooked. All studies included in this review originated from high-income countries and were written in English. Finally, when related to a common disease state, unexpected weight loss usually represents a deterioration or complication, such as end-stage COPD or wasting in dementia.34 The prevalence of these conditions is potentially high, and it is challenging to identify severity of disease in EHRs. Other studies have adjusted for previous cancer, though without considering how long ago the cancer was diagnosed.32,33 Fourthly, we excluded patients with evidence of intentional weight loss with medication or surgery. By using cancer registry linked data we have been able to investigate the association between unexpected weight loss and cancer stage, however, We took care to ensure that the cohort with unexpected weight loss was accurately defined. In women, 37 late-stage cancers (0.1%) were diagnosed in 36,057 women with unexpected weight loss in the first 3 months rising to 52 (0.1%) over 6 months compared with 38 (0.02%) in 145,203 women without unexpected weight loss over 3 months rising to 75 (0.05%) over 6 months. In men, 54 cancers (0.2%) were diagnosed with late-stage cancer in 25,551 men with unexpected weight loss in the first 3 months rising to 66 (0.3%) cases over the first 6 months compared with 46 (0.04%) of 10,7706 men without unexpected weight loss in the first 3 months rising to 88 (0.08%) by 6 months. It's important to get it checked if you're losing weight without trying. It can also be caused by a health condition or a combination of things. In later stages, you may lose a lot of weight because you forget to eat or find it harder to chew or swallow. Unintentional or unexpected weight loss occurs when there is a sudden and noticeable weight loss without the intent to lose weight. It’s essential to monitor your symptoms and adjust your self-care routine accordingly to minimize discomfort and promote skin health. The duration of itchy skin during weight loss can vary depending on individual factors, such as the rate of weight loss, overall health, and skin type. Some causes of unintentional weight loss Therefore, seeing a mental health professional when you admit you might have depression can go a long way in helping you deal with these depressive symptoms.A thorough medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.Also searched were Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Effective Healthcare Reports, the Cochrane database, Dynamed, and Essential Evidence Plus.In addition, untreated weight loss can worsen underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.Treatment for unexpected weight loss depends on the underlying cause.These things can make you lose your appetite and eventually lose weight.Weight fluctuations are normal, but if you notice a steady decline in your weight over several months, pay attention.There is no formal consensus definition of unintentional weight loss; however, the weight loss must be considered unintentional by the patient and treating practitioner.In older adults, weight loss may sometimes be the first symptom friends or family notice. It’s essential for individuals who are prone to skin issues to take extra precautions to manage their skin health during weight loss. If you’re experiencing persistent or severe itchiness, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying issues. It’s crucial to monitor your symptoms and consult with a healthcare professional if the itchiness persists or worsens over time. On the other hand, if the itchiness is mild and temporary, it may be a sign that your body is adapting to the changes brought on by weight loss. If you’re experiencing persistent or intense itching, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. If all of your tests come back normal and there isn't a clear cause of your weight loss, your doctor may recommend close monitoring of your symptoms and condition for a few months and then follow-up consultation. In order to get to the bottom of your unexplained weight loss, your doctor will want to ask you a few questions to get a better sense of what could be going on with your health. The number of days between the index date and the cancer diagnosis is defined as the diagnostic interval (DI).21 It was summarised using the median (inter-quartile range (IQR)) and mean (standard deviation (SD)) for cases and comparators, and differences between medians assessed using the k-sample test. We classified cancer of unknown primary (CUP) if patients’ records indicated secondary cancer but no primary. The records were examined for a diagnosis of cancer for 2 years after the index date. For example, sensitivity was higher in studies at risk of recall bias and positive predictive values were higher in case–control studies compared with cohort studies on the same tumour site. None of the studies reported on cancer stage; knowing this is crucial when considering how to improve outcomes. These infections keep your body in “fight mode,” burning more energy and killing your appetite. Losing more than 10 lbs (4.5 kg) in a few months without trying is a red flag. These affect metabolism, appetite, or how your body absorbs nutrients. Smokers may find they respond by smoking more; nicotine can reduce your appetite, causing weight loss. However, occasionally, weight loss is the first symptom that is noticed. Weight loss is usually defined as a loss of more than 5% of the person's body weight. Unintentional weight loss is different. Unintentional weight loss can have many different causes. Recommendations for follow-up of UWL at risk of cancer Specifically, it’s defined as a loss of more than 5% of your body weight over 6 to 12 months without a known reason. Alternatively, the apparent delays may signify that these diagnoses are made as a diagnosis of exclusion following testing for diseases that are more easily excluded or considered more serious, such as cancer. For diagnoses with potentially more complicated diagnostic workup, the excess risk was sustained for at least a year after diagnosis.Similar to follow‐up time, few studies have stratified risks by age and sex. These things can make you lose your appetite and eventually lose weight. Your doctor can help you ease these symptoms with medicine and changes in your diet and lifestyle. This is when your immune system turns on your body and attacks your tissues and organs. Talk to your doctor if you keep losing weight. In general, the prognosis is good if the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly. These complications can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or CT scans, may be ordered to evaluate the digestive system or other organs. Some common causes include gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Economic, social and physical factors That is why one should take unexplained weight loss seriously,” says Deepti Khatuja, Head – clinical Nutritionist, Fortis memorial research Institute, Gurgaon. It might indicate an underlying medical or disease. Your healthcare professional may suggest you keep a food diary and track your weight. Your healthcare professional likely also will review any recent cancer screenings. Unexpected weight loss can lead to a decline in overall health, reducing your quality of life and making everyday activities more challenging. Prolonged weight loss can result in a loss of muscle mass, which can impair physical function and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Malnutrition and underlying health conditions can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression can lead to changes in appetite and eating habits, resulting in unexpected weight loss. Early detection and treatment can improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of complications. It is essential to work closely with a healthcare professional to develop a personalized treatment plan and monitor progress. A healthcare professional or registered dietitian can help develop a personalized meal plan to ensure adequate nutrition and promote weight gain. Ignoring unexpected weight loss can lead to unnecessary suffering, reduced productivity, and a decreased ability to perform daily tasks.There are numerous possible causes of unexpected weight loss. Many people who experience unexpected weight loss may brush it off as a positive development, especially if they have been trying to lose weight. It's important to see a GP as soon as possible if you have weight loss and other symptoms. Sometimes weight loss can be caused by cancer. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your health professional may suggest that you stop following a diet that limits healthy food choices and calorie intake. Sometimes, if the tests do not show a cause, watchful waiting for 1 to 6 months is a next step. Based on the results or other symptoms, you may have other tests, including imaging tests. These may include a colon cancer screening test, breast exam and mammogram, or a prostate exam. Diabetes Lean body mass can decrease up to 0.7 lb (0.3 kg) per year between 20 and 30 years of age. Recommended tests include age-appropriate cancer screenings, complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, liver function tests, thyroid function tests, C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lactate dehydrogenase measurement, ferritin, protein electrophoresis, and urinalysis. The differential diagnosis is extremely broad. Your body weight can change often. A big weight loss can be the result of an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia. Sudden, noticeable weight loss can happen after a stressful event. BMI, body mass index; IMD, index of material deprivation; IQR, inter‐quartile range; SD, standard deviation. Patients with UWL coding were more likely than matched controls to be current smokers (14.6% vs. 8.7%) and to have two or more comorbidities (56.6% vs. 39.0%) but less likely to be overweight or obese (25.1% vs. 51.7%). A comparison between patients with and without UWL codes is provided in Table1. For cancer, prevalent and incident diagnoses were based on the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology codes in linked National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service cancer registry data. Recommendations from reviews included a complete history and physical examination to identify other signs and symptoms that may lead to determination of causality. We classified recommendations as 'general', 'laboratory tests and imaging tests', and targeted recommendations by age, sex, and probable differential diagnosis. The most cited guidelines were the NICE guidelines for suspected cancer referral (70%).6 These guidelines contain pathways for investigation by symptom, including UWL; the most common reason for referring to them was their recommended 3% threshold for investigation.6 There are numerous medical conditions that cause sudden, unexplained weight loss,” says Dr. Hyacinth Peninnah Paljor. Given the nature of primary care and the challenges of recognising non-specific symptoms like UWL, CDSS could play a pivotal role in early recognition and assessment.48 CDSS utilise algorithms aligning scientific literature and clinical guidelines with patient information in EMRs to provide specific recommendations for clinicians.49 A systematic review suggests CDSS’s potential to improve cancer referrals and reduce the time to diagnosis. Of all patients referred, 8% had a cancer diagnosis and over 50% were diagnosed with non-neoplastic conditions.46 In another study, cancer was identified in 7% of patients and 35% of patients were diagnosed with serious non-neoplastic conditions.47 Preliminary evaluations show a significant percentage diagnosed with non-cancer conditions, emphasising the need for comprehensive investigations.45 In a preliminary evaluation, 66% of patients were referred due to weight loss (the most common reason for referral in this cohort). A healthcare professional may also refer the patient to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist or endocrinologist, for further evaluation and treatment. Diagnostic tests may include complete blood counts, electrolyte panels, and liver function tests to rule out underlying medical conditions. A thorough medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment. Ignoring unexpected weight loss can lead to unnecessary suffering, reduced productivity, and a decreased ability to perform daily tasks. This scoping review provided strong evidence of UWL’s association with cancer risk in primary care. Withrow et al’s pathway for general investigations in primary care offers a valuable framework, ensuring a comprehensive approach tailored to specific populations (Supplementary Table S6).8 Another source of evidence to inform the selection of investigations for patients with unspecific symptoms, particularly UWL, is Rapid Diagnostic Centres in the UK. Although various tests according to clinical presentations are recommended, evidence shows that simple tests available in primary care can be markers of cancer risk. Adjusted hazard ratios for cancer in people with unexpected weight loss in men (5a) and women (5b) in the 6 months following presentation derived using cox regression adjusted for all covariates. Population level predictions of the hazard ratio for cancer in the next three months for people with unexpected weight loss by age and gender using marginal effects at representative values. In women, 282 cancers (0.8%) were diagnosed in 36,057 women with unexpected weight loss in the first 3 months rising to 360 (1.0%) over 6 months compared with 630 (0.4%) in 145,203 women without unexpected weight loss over 3 months rising to 1305 (0.9%) over 6 months. In men, 441 cancers (1.7%) were diagnosed in 25,551 men with unexpected weight loss in the first 3 months rising to 548 (2.1%) cases over the first 6 months compared with 575 (0.5%) in 10,7706 men without unexpected weight loss in the first 3 months rising to 1215 (1.1%) by 6 months. How much weight loss is worrying? But if you’re not trying and still dropping that much weight, it could point to a health issue and should be investigated. Can overthinking cause weight loss? Even digestive problems or certain infections can lead to weight loss without trying. Medical issues like an overactive thyroid, diabetes, cancer, or depression are common triggers.