Weight related health conditions

This section explains conditions and factors that commonly affect weight, including:

• Medications that can influence appetite, cravings, or metabolism
• Hormonal changes such as perimenopause and menopause
• Factors that contribute to weight loss resistance
• Metabolic issues that affect insulin sensitivity
• Situations where weight increases without a clear cause

Each article focuses on a single topic, explains how it may influence weight, and outlines general strategies that may help people understand what is happening.

• Unexplained weight gain
• Weight loss resistance
• Does amitriptyline cause weight gain
• Does sertraline cause weight gain
• Does HRT cause weight gain
• How to reset female hormones for weight loss
• Metformin and weight loss
• Menopause and weight loss

These pages sit between our Behaviour and Clinical content. They are designed to help people make sense of physical or medication-related patterns that may influence weight, while signposting to further information where relevant.

 

Changes in weight can be linked to several processes in the body. These may include:

• Shifts in hormones that affect hunger, energy levels or body composition
• Altered sleep patterns or changes in mood that influence eating behaviour
• Medications that act on appetite, digestion or metabolism
• Reduced insulin sensitivity that makes it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar
• Age-related changes that affect muscle mass and energy use

These factors can sometimes make weight change feel sudden or difficult to explain. Understanding the possible mechanisms can help people recognise patterns and seek appropriate support.

Speak to a doctor if you experience:

• Sudden or unexplained weight changes
• Weight gain accompanied by new symptoms such as fatigue, swelling or changes in appetite
• Concerns about how a medication may be affecting your weight
• Difficulty losing weight despite consistent lifestyle changes
• Any symptoms that worry you or impact your daily life

A healthcare professional can help assess potential causes and advise on safe, appropriate next steps.

Dr Jackir Hussain is a GP who has been a doctor for 14 years after obtaining his medical degree from the University of Manchester, England. He has worked across a range of primary care settings and has special interests in weight management and telemedicine.

Dr Abby Hyams completed her medical training in Bristol and has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire alongside other independently validated medical information about you and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases, the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See Terms of Service for more information.