4 Hyperthyroidism
Unexplained weight loss could be a sign of a thyroid problem. "Also known as Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism is a type of autoimmune disease causing the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of the thyroid hormone, which speeds up the metabolism to the point where the body is burning more calories than it can consume," says Sherry Ross, MD, OB/GYN and Women's Health Expert at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "Causes of hyperthyroidism include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, certain medication such as lithium, radiation treatments to the neck, thyroid surgery, pregnancy, and iodine deficiency." Making sure your thyroid is evaluated with blood tests can identify an overactive thyroid.
