Weight loss - Clinical Symptoms

Weight loss

Loss of appetite (anorexia) and weight loss are important symptoms that may be due to an underlying gastrointestinal cause particularly cancer, but are also associated with other conditions including depression and any malignancy. If there is an increased or unchanged appetite together with weight loss, this suggests either malabsorption or increased metabolic demand/state, e.g. due to hyperthyroidism. The history should establish the duration and severity of weight loss.