Unexplained Weight Loss in Lagos: When to Take It Seriously
Losing weight without trying: especially more than 5% of body weight over 3 months, is a symptom that always warrants investigation. In Lagos, the most common causes are diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV, and hyperthyroidism. This page tells you what tests to do.
What Causes Unexplained Weight Loss?
Unintentional weight loss (losing weight without dieting or increased exercise) has a wide differential. The most important causes to exclude in Nigeria are infectious diseases, undiagnosed diabetes, thyroid disease, and malignancy.
New-onset Type 1 or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes, glucose is excreted in urine (taking water and calories with it), causing rapid weight loss alongside thirst and frequent urination.
Night sweats, weight loss, prolonged cough (> 3 weeks), and haemoptysis: TB remains common in Nigeria. Sputum AFB, CXR, and GeneXpert testing confirm.
Weight loss is one of the cardinal manifestations of AIDS. Unexplained weight loss in a person who has not tested for HIV should always include an HIV test.
Overactive thyroid: weight loss despite increased appetite, tremor, palpitations, heat intolerance, and sweating. TSH is suppressed.
Weight loss, jaundice, abdominal swelling: from hepatitis B-related cirrhosis or alcoholic liver disease.
Cancer of the stomach, colon, lung, lymphoma, unexplained weight loss is a classic warning sign. Requires systematic investigation.
🚨 Go to hospital or clinic today if you have:
- Weight loss + night sweats + cough > 3 weeks, possible TB
- Weight loss + jaundice + abdominal swelling: possible liver disease or cancer
- Weight loss + a palpable abdominal mass
- Weight loss + blood in stool or change in bowel habit
- Weight loss in a known HIV patient not on treatment
- Weight loss > 10% of body weight over 3 months without dietary change
What Tests Do You Need for Unexplained Weight Loss?
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Fasting Blood Sugar + HbA1c: Excludes diabetes as the cause, results same day.
HIV Test (4th Generation): Essential: HIV remains under-diagnosed and weight loss is a key presentation.
TSH (Thyroid Function): Excludes hyperthyroidism: rapid weight loss with palpitations and sweating.
Full Blood Count + ESR/CRP: FBC identifies anaemia; elevated ESR and CRP suggest chronic infection or malignancy.
Liver Function Tests: Assesses for chronic liver disease contributing to weight loss.
Chest X-Ray + Sputum Test (if cough): Excludes TB, especially with night sweats and prolonged cough.
What to Do Right Now
Weigh yourself today and compare with 1–3 months ago. Document the percentage of body weight lost.
Cough, night sweats, thirst, frequency, palpitations, jaundice, change in bowel habit, each narrows the differential significantly.
A blood sugar, HIV test, TSH, FBC, and liver function tests at Mascot Healthcare covers the most common causes in one appointment.
A 3-week cough + weight loss + night sweats = tuberculosis until proven otherwise. Sputum AFB and GeneXpert confirm.
Losing weight without trying? Get a full investigation panel at Mascot Healthcare.
Book online or via WhatsApp: same-day slots when available, transparent pricing, 4.9★ rated.
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Last updated 16 October 2026.