*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

[Previous Feature][Next Feature]

This Week - W : Weight Loss

Causes of unintentional weight loss

Unintentional weight loss can have many different causes.

It might be caused by a stressful event like a divorce, losing a job, or the death of a loved one. It can also be caused by a health condition or a combination of things.

Some causes of unintentional weight loss include:

mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
problems with digestion, such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
hormone conditions, such as an overactive thyroid or type 1 diabetes
heart conditions, such as heart failure
poor nutrition (malnutrition) or lack of appetite, although sometimes weight loss can happen when there's no change to a person's diet or appetite
side effects of some medicines, such as levothyroxine, which is often used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Sometimes weight loss and loss of appetite can be caused by cancer. It's important to get it checked if you're losing weight without trying.

See a GP if:

you keep losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine

It's important to see a GP as soon as possible if you have weight loss and other symptoms. The earlier the cause is found, the sooner it can be treated.

Treatment for unintentional weight loss

Treatment for unintentional weight loss depends on what's causing it.

A GP will ask about your health and may arrange some tests or scans.

Depending on the possible cause, they may:

advise you about things you can do to help, such as ways to reduce stress
recommend treatment for any condition that's causing you to lose weight
refer you to a specialist

[Previous Feature]

[Next Feature]

We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.