Unexplained loss of muscle mass, also known as cachexia, is a concerning condition that can have many underlying causes. When muscle mass decreases significantly without an obvious reason like injury, illness or immobility, it is important to identify the root cause.
Some potential causes of unexplained muscle loss include:
- Hormonal imbalances: Low levels of key hormones like testosterone, estrogen or growth hormone can lead to decreased muscle mass. Blood tests from your doctor can identify any hormonal deficits.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Lacking key nutrients like protein, iron, zinc or vitamin D can impair your body's ability to maintain muscle. Track your diet to ensure adequate intake of muscle-building nutrients.
- Chronic diseases: Conditions like cancer, kidney disease, COPD, congestive heart failure and others increase inflammation and metabolic abnormalities leading to muscle wasting. Managing the underlying disease is key.
- Medications: Certain prescription drugs like corticosteroids can increase protein breakdown and lead to loss of muscle mass as a side effect. Talk to your doctor about medication-related side effects.
- Aging: As we get older, muscle loss accelerates due to declines in hormones, activity levels and protein synthesis. Strength training and eating sufficient protein can help minimize age-related muscle loss.
- Inadequate calories: Consuming too few calories regularly can cause the body to break down muscle tissue for energy. Track your calories to ensure you eat enough to support your muscle mass.
If you are experiencing unexplained loss of muscle mass, I would recommend seeing your doctor for a full evaluation. They can run tests to check your
hormone levels, look for signs of
chronic illness, assess your
medications and
nutritional status, and identify any
treatable causes.
With an early diagnosis, many causes of muscle wasting can be improved through lifestyle changes, medications, nutritional support, or hormone therapy. Don't ignore unexplained muscle loss - take action to identify the cause and support healthy muscle maintenance. The specialists at
Balance Hormone Specialist can provide advanced testing and treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. Reach out today to start investigating your unexplained muscle loss.