US Medical Term · symptoms
Unexplained Weight Loss
Pérdida de peso inexplicada
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Unexplained Weight Loss |
| Spanish (Español) | Pérdida de peso inexplicada |
| Chinese (中文) | 不明原因體重減輕 |
| Korean (한국어) | 원인 불명의 체중 감소 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Sụt cân không rõ nguyên nhân |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Hindi maipaliwanag na pagbaba ng timbang |
| Portuguese (Português) | Perda de peso inexplicada |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | น้ำหนักลดโดยไม่ทราบสาเหตุ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 原因不明の体重減少 |
What it means
Unexplained weight loss is a decrease of 5% or more of body weight over six to twelve months without intentional dieting or increased exercise. It can be a sign of serious illness, including cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic infection such as tuberculosis or HIV, depression, or heart failure. The cause is not always serious, but significant unintended weight loss always warrants medical evaluation. Your doctor will likely order blood tests and imaging to identify the underlying reason. Early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes in many conditions.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have lost about fifteen pounds without trying to lose weight.
He perdido aproximadamente quince libras sin intentar bajar de peso.
My clothes are fitting much looser even though I have not changed my diet.
Mi ropa me queda mucho más holgada aunque no he cambiado mi dieta.
I have not had a good appetite and I keep losing weight.
No he tenido buen apetito y sigo perdiendo peso.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
R64 CachexiaRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026