Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side, a fit or heavy bleeding needs help now, not an appointment.

112Any emergency108Ambulance102Pregnancy and newborn
Check a symptomManage a conditionHealth calculatorsUnderstand a lab reportFirst aid
General and whole body

Unexplained weight loss

Also called weight loss, losing weight, wajan kam, weight kam ho raha, unexplained weight loss

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs

What this means

Losing weight without trying, through diet or exercise, can sometimes point to an underlying condition such as diabetes, thyroid problems, infections or other illnesses, so it is worth checking.

Safe to do at home

  • Keep a simple record of your weight over time
  • Eat regular, nourishing meals
  • Note any other symptoms like fever, cough or change in appetite

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not assume it is harmless if it is ongoing
  • Do not take appetite or weight gain remedies on your own
  • Do not delay testing if the loss is steady

Book a consultation if

  • You have lost noticeable weight without trying over a few weeks or months
  • You also have fever, night sweats, cough or a change in bowel habits
  • You feel weak or unwell with it

Get help immediately if

  • Weight loss with coughing up blood or vomiting blood
  • Severe weakness or inability to eat or drink

The right doctor for this

General Physician

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for unexplained weight loss

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorGeneral Physician

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Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.