Weight loss

[mbdavis1976]

Hello all,

Whenever I have a flare I lose weight because I lose my appetite and eat way less calories than when I'm not flaring.  Yet, all the "textbooks" say weight loss is an "alarm symptom".  Do other people have this issue with weight loss during flares of IBS?

Thanks.

Max

[Esjie]

Hi Max, this must be worrying you. But I think it's more that "unexplained" weight loss is a big red flag.
Whereas, if you haven't been able to eat much for a few days there would be an easily seen logical reason for losing weight, and it's not "unexplained".
I'm similar. I have always had a fast metabolism, and my weight stayed the same (slim) when healthy and eating at least 2000 calories a day. So if for any reason I even missed dinner on one evening I would notice I had lost a tiny bit of weight the next day. If I missed eating properly for a few days I would get quite skinny.
But as soon as I started eating normally again, after a few days I would regain the lost weight and return to my normal weight.
Def. check this out with your doctor, especially if you start eating properly again and still are losing weight.

[pen]

I do experience weight loss but it's because you're not eating as much

[Jeffrey Roberts]

On 9/2/2023 at 1:03 PM, pen said:

I do experience weight loss but it's because you're not eating as much

Yes, that is true. It could also be a red flag for another health issue. Weight loss is not something that is typically associated with IBS; however, if you find your self restricting foods and that is causing you to lose weight then you should speak to your doctor and/or a Registered Dietitian if you have access to one.