Unintentional weight loss? When to worry?

[Annon671]

Hi all,
Long time poster. But NC.

I was weighed at a hospital appointment 25 February. I weighed myself this morning and have lost 8lbs since?! In a total of about 6 weeks. I haven't been excersing or anything, have still been eating, even having a weekly take away every Friday! I am quite pleased at this weight loss as BMI was 27 but now in the 25 range... but Google says 5% of loss over 6-12 months is bad.

I calculated I've lost 5.2% in the 6 weeks.

So, do I listen to Dr Google and go to the GP? I'm 33 and did recently had checks for iron, thyroid and diabetes etc due to persistent exhaustion and my hair falling out. All ok, although ferritin low 30s so nothing else has been done about that.

Definitely don't have IBD as had colonoscopy previously due to this persistently low ferritin, it was unexplained and constantly in single digits. So 30s is good for me!

Thoughts? Causes?! I don't want to be that person that goes to the GP for no reason and look foolish. I am also not extremely thin or anything and concerned they'll say I'm wasting time or to come back when it's more than 8lb or something :/

Thanks!

Could your scales be inaccurate?

They're digital scales...
I can see I've lost weight

Two different sets of scales will give two different results. Always.

So weigh yourself again, on your own scales again, and compare results. Do this over a couple of weeks to check.

But if you have lost a lot in a short space of time, without changing diet/exercise routine, then no harm in asking the GP.

Weighing on two different scales could give you very different readings.9

Ah ok
Both scales digital one digital in hospital
One digital at home?
Thanks all I will continue to weigh I guess!

Ww posted together.

I would check with your GP if you are losing weight and have not changed anything.

Low ferritin, exhausted with hair loss, and unintentional weight loss? I’d be asking the GP to look for causes rather than just re-checking levels. Definitely worth a visit.

Genuine question. Do different scales fluctuate by 8lbs?! I would understand 1kg maybe even 2kg difference...
That's crazy if so

Did you weigh yourself at the same time of day ? Example, before breakfast / after going to the toilet.
Did you have clothes/ shoes on?
What you ate the day or so before can also make a difference. Eating more carbs makes you retain water.

Obviously if you still think you are losing weight then see the GP. It’s not for no reason.

I’ve always had a difference between my own scales and other scales at the GPs/Boots etc. It’s common for different scales to have a couple of pounds discrepancy. So unless you also weighed yourself on your own scales as well as the hospital scales that same day, you can’t be sure it’s an actual 8lb loss.

Also, my weight fluctuates based on my cycle. I am actively trying to lose weight so am weighing regularly, and in the year I’ve been watching my weight, in the two days prior to my period, I am always 3lb heavier than the previous week, religiously. It’s back off again the next week. So it could be that when you went to the hospital, you were at a point in your cycle where you were retaining some weight, and that this figure on your scales is your true weight.

Its highly unlikely there would be that much of a difference between scales, a pound or 2 difference maybe, but not 8. I think it is worth a conversation with your GP.

I got weighed for lung function test. I have asthma.
It had to be accurate i.e.no shoes coat etc

I weighed in the afternoon yesterday, no shoes as indoors

8lb loss

I would be surprised at an 8 pound difference. Did you weigh at the same time of day? I usually weigh in the morning before breakfast but when I attend GP for check up, I am weighed dressed and usually after lunch.

Please go and see your GP. If you’re aware of the weight loss yourself then the loss is real and your doc needs to investigate. Don’t worry about looking foolish - it’s their job to listen to your concerns!

Yes.

My home scales vary by 3lbs if you put them on the wrong bit of the floor. They are now only used in a fixed point in the bathroom. Even when in their accurate location they are 5lbs different from my old set. We chucked the old set and now only stick to this one.

Weigh yourself at the same time each day, scales in the same place, same clothing / state of undress etc. That's the only reliable way to track it.

I weigh in the morning after I've been to the loo and before I've eaten or drunk anything.

Monitor on your own scales, same time of day, same clothing for a couple of weeks as @BIWI suggested and if you are continuing to lose, definitely see the GP.

It could be worth keeping a note of what you've eaten to show the GP if needed that you've not been on any sort of diet that could cause your weight to fall through under-eating.

So many posters focusing on the possible inaccuracy of the scales and ignoring the fact OP can actually see she has lost weight and it is noticeable to her therefore it's not an insignificant amount in a short time.
I would think OP should talk to her GP .

Different scales could absolutely have a difference of 7lbs. So many different factors to take into account. At hospital you might have had different heavier clothes and shoes on, you might have just eaten - all sorts of things.

You have nothing to lose by going to the GP. That is a lot to lose in such a short time. With your other symptoms too I’d say you are absolutely not wasting their time.

8lbs is a big loss even allowing for variants between scales. My weight can fluctuate a couple of pounds but not by 8lbs! Can you see the change in the way your clothes fit/face? Definitely monitor on your own scales for a week or so.

8 lb is quite a difference if there’s been no lifestyle changes, even considering that they’re different scales.

I’d definitely monitor your weight on your own scales as pp have suggested. But given that you’ve said you can see a weight loss and you’ve got other symptoms, then it would seem sensible to see a GP and get checked out.