Why did I lose 17 lbs with nausea and no appetite?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 23-year-old woman. Over the last two months, I have eaten significantly less, often consuming fewer than one full meal per day. I rarely feel hungry anymore, and the sight or scent of food might make me nauseated. Even a small bite can make me feel like vomiting. As a result, I have unwittingly shed almost 17.64 lbs. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I noticed you have experienced an unintentional 17.64 lbs weight loss recently, while your food intake has been reduced to less than a single meal per day. At your age, this is concerning and warrants a thorough evaluation.

The possible causes could be the following:

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Chronic gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.
Gastroparesis: Delayed gastric emptying without blockage.
Peptic ulcer disease: Open sores on the stomach lining.

Hormonal imbalances:

Thyroid dysfunction: conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Psychological factors:

Anxiety or depression can affect appetite and digestion.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): An eating disorder characterized by restricted food intake.

Systemic issues:

Malabsorption disorders: Conditions like celiac disease or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Early stages of metabolic or neoplastic processes: Uncommon but possible causes.

The recommended next steps

Laboratory tests:

Complete blood count (CBC).
Electrolyte levels.
Liver and kidney function tests.
Thyroid function panel.
Inflammatory markers.

Physical examination:

Assess overall health and specific symptoms.

Imaging and procedures (if indicated):

Abdominal ultrasound
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Meanwhile, please try to stay well-hydrated and consider supplementing with small portions of bland, high-calorie liquids, such as nutritional shakes, until we have more clarity. If you are experiencing significant anxiety around eating or a fear of food, professional support, either from a dietitian or a mental health specialist, is often essential.

This situation calls for prompt and careful evaluation. We will navigate this together to ensure you are on a safe and steady path to recovery.

 I hope this helps.

Kindly revert if there are any queries.

Thank you.