Diagnosis of unintentional weight loss at OpenMed Warsaw and Płock
Unintentional weight loss is a symptom that should not be dismissed. If you have lost kilograms over a few months despite no change in diet or physical activity, it is worth establishing the cause. Weight loss can be linked to metabolic disorders, diseases of the digestive tract or the endocrine system, as well as to chronic inflammation or cancer. At OpenMed in Warsaw and OpenMed in Płock we offer a comprehensive work-up for unintentional weight loss that helps find the source of the problem and plan further treatment.
From a medical point of view, unintentional weight loss means a drop in body weight of about 5% or more over 6-12 months without deliberate slimming. This symptom is not a disease in itself, but it can be the first signal of a developing condition. The earlier the diagnostic work-up is carried out, the greater the chance of quickly identifying the cause and starting appropriate treatment.
Possible causes of unintentional weight loss
There are many causes of unintentional weight loss and they can involve different body systems. In some patients the problem stems from diseases of the digestive tract that impair nutrient absorption, in others from hyperthyroidism, diabetes or other endocrine disorders. Weight loss may also accompany chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, neurological conditions or cancer.
Psychological causes should not be forgotten either. Prolonged stress, depression, anxiety disorders or eating disorders can also lead to significant weight loss. Effective diagnosis therefore requires looking at the patient's health as a whole.
Internal medicine doctors at OpenMed
Book a consultation and start the work-up for weight loss without a clear cause - from the history to laboratory and imaging tests.
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Symptoms that should prompt a consultation
Weight loss is not always the only symptom. It is often accompanied by chronic fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, night sweats, fever of unexplained cause or enlarged lymph nodes. Palpitations, excessive sweating or hand tremor can also be worrying and may point to hormonal disease.
If the weight loss is rapid, progressive or accompanied by other worrying symptoms, do not delay the consultation. Starting the work-up early makes it possible to establish the cause faster and introduce appropriate treatment.
What does the diagnosis of unintentional weight loss look like at OpenMed?
We begin the work-up with a detailed medical history. Our doctors - primarily gastroenterologists, diabetologists, endocrinologists and internal medicine specialists - ask about the rate of weight loss, diet, medicines taken, chronic conditions and accompanying symptoms. A physical examination and an assessment of the patient's nutritional status follow.
Depending on the clinical picture, our specialists select the appropriate scope of tests. The work-up may include:
- laboratory tests assessing the blood count, inflammation and liver, kidney and thyroid function,
- hormonal and metabolic tests, including diabetes diagnostics,
- imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound or other examinations performed as indicated,
- specialist consultations - gastroenterological, endocrinological, oncological or dietetic - if the test results call for them.
The scope of the work-up is always set individually. Our aim is to find the actual cause of the weight loss, not merely to ease the symptoms.
What happens next
Once the work-up is complete, the patient receives a detailed discussion of the results and a plan for further treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, it may involve treating the underlying disease, changing the diet, dietetic care or referral to an appropriate specialist. If the results do not indicate a serious condition, our doctors set out a plan for further observation and follow-up.
A comprehensive approach avoids running many tests at random and shortens the time needed to reach the right diagnosis.
Book a consultation at OpenMed Warsaw or Płock
If you have noticed unintentional weight loss or have been losing weight for some time without a clear reason, book a consultation at OpenMed. Registration by phone and online - the OpenMed team will help you choose a suitable appointment time and plan a comprehensive work-up.
FAQ Diagnosis of unintentional weight loss
If you have lost about 5% of your body weight over 6-12 months without dieting or increasing physical activity, it is worth starting a diagnostic work-up.
The scope of tests depends on the symptoms. Most often it includes blood tests, hormonal tests, imaging and specialist consultations.
No. There can be many causes, including hormonal and gastroenterological conditions, infections, mental health disorders or problems with nutrient absorption.
It is best to start with an internal medicine consultation. Based on the history and test results, the doctor will decide whether further diagnostics with other specialists are needed.
In most cases no. Most tests can be done on an outpatient basis, and hospitalisation is necessary only in selected clinical situations.