It may seem like a gift if you achieve weight loss without trying.  After all, dieting and exercising to shed the pounds is hard.  It can feel pretty great if your body just suddenly seems to be doing it on its own, right?

If your weight loss without trying is just a matter of a few pounds over quite some time, it’s likely that you’ve made some lifestyle changes you haven’t even realized.  These are bringing you some bonus results you weren’t expecting.  However, if you experience an unexpected drop of 5 percent or more of your body weight within six months to a year, it’s very important to speak with your doctor.

How to Explain Unexpected Weight Loss Without Trying

If you started at 200 pounds and drop 10 pounds without knowing why, or if you’re 150 pounds at the start and drop 8 pounds you can’t explain, there could be an underlying health problem.  Fortunately, many of these conditions are minor and easy to remedy, particularly when caught early.

The following are some of the most common health issues that can cause you to lose weight without trying.

Hyperthyroidism

Your thyroid gland is responsible for the production of vital hormones in your body. These play a role in many functions, including with your metabolism.  If your thyroid produces too many hormones, it could lead to a racing heartbeat, frequent bowel movements, feelings of anxiety and, yes, weight loss without trying.  This condition is important to manage and can typically be done with medication.

Diabetes

Though diabetes is most commonly associated with putting on extra weight, this is not always the case.  It can also cause your body to function in a way that leads pounds to drop.  In either case, managing these symptoms – and your weight – is very important to avoiding unwanted and potentially dangerous diabetes symptoms.

Medication Side Effects

If you’re taking prescription or non-prescription medication or even certain supplements, they may have an impact on your metabolism that will lead to weight loss without trying. If this occurs, talk to your doctor to ensure that this effect remains safe and does not become excessive.

Stress

Some people stress eat and will gain weight as a result of their discomforts.  Others will drop the pounds because they’re uninterested in food and simply don’t feel hungry.  The more powerful the stress, the greater the impact can be. A break-up or divorce, loss of a job, or the loss of a loved one, for example, can make it difficult for you to have an appetite or want to eat anything.  Sometimes time, support from family and friends, professional counseling or group therapy can set things on the right track again.