“My daughter has suddenly lost her appetite. Could it be a hormonal issue?”
My 16 year old daughter has suddenly stopped feeling hungry and is losing her appetite. Could it be a hormonal issue?
17 Answers
Yes, take her to a pediatric endocrinologist to have a complete evaluation.
Stress and anxiety can play a significant role in loss appetite. Medications side effects can lead to loss of appetite. Other causes include GI inflammatory diseases, tumors, and any other GI unrelated diseases.
Has she been losing weight? Does she feel full quickly? Hormones alone wouldn’t be the problem
Even though hormones could play a role in appetite regulation. However, at the age of 16 for a girl, female hormones are less likely to make one lose the appetite. we need to consider different options including checking her thyroid Hormone, screening for depression and anxiety, and possibility of substance use. Nonetheless, one would need a thorough history and medical investigations.
Yes, depression secondary to low thyroid production, fear, being in a position to hide a friend's secret
Be sure labs are drawn, esp thyroid.
Hunger is a cue tell us when we need calories for our body to function properly. Anorexia is a condition when we loose appetite. It could be temporary or permanent. It could be psychological, emotional, medical or due to medications. Gastrointestinal problems, mood disorders such as depression can cause anorexia. Anorexia Nervosa (emotional condition) is also common in teens due to self body image. They perceive that they are fat though they may have normal weight. They experience intense emotional issues with thier body and restricted food.
Hormones such as thyroid need to be ruled out as well.
You need to have open and honest conversation with your daughter. You will have some clue about the loss of appetite. Then talk to your primary care physician. If the anorexia is emotional, she needs psychological counseling.
Good luck.
Hormones such as thyroid need to be ruled out as well.
You need to have open and honest conversation with your daughter. You will have some clue about the loss of appetite. Then talk to your primary care physician. If the anorexia is emotional, she needs psychological counseling.
Good luck.
It can be as well as a social aspect many go through around that age. Just try getting healthy foods into her. Not fattening foods.
A sudden loss of appetite could be indicative of a lot of different conditions. It could be hormonal - but it could be something as scary as cancer. I'd start with taking her to the pediatrician for a full physical examination, including blood work. If all of that comes back completely normal then you might want to consult a psychiatrist to see if stress is contributing to her problems. Eating less than normal does not always indicate a loss of appetite but can sometimes indicate an eating disorder. Still, good practice calls for ruling out any organic (physical/medical) causes of her decreased intake of food first. Good luck!
Eating problems such as not feeling hungry and losing appetite could be the start of a depression or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa. Does she exhibit other peculiarities in her eating pattern, is she engaged in intensive exercise routines, is she overly conscious about gaining weight? If she shows any of these behaviors, it may be time to see a psychiatrist.
Yes, your daughter's loss of appetite could be associated with alterations of hormones and adolescents. That is the more optimistic point of view. Please be aware that a lot of adolescent girls are involved in clicks that can involve weight loss. Other considerations to weigh include a high rate of substance abuse even in the "finest high schools." If I might say, if it is possible, please sit down with your daughter in a noncritical way and say that you notice that she is losing weight and you're wondering if she felt she needed to lose weight or was it something else making her lose weight.
Unlikely, unless there is a specific mood disorder.
A sudden loss of appetite can mean a lot of things, some of them serious. It is advisable that she get a thorough medical examination before we assume it is mental illness.
Victor M. Santiago-Noa, MD
Victor M. Santiago-Noa, MD
Here are two links that may help answer your question:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322157.php
http://www.yourhormones.info/topical-issues/eating-disorders-and-hormones/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322157.php
http://www.yourhormones.info/topical-issues/eating-disorders-and-hormones/
If she is not eating and is losing a lot of weight, you need to worry about anorexia. This is common in teens who are focused on body image. If she has had abdominal pain or sore throat, she may have an infection that could affect appetite. If poor appetite persists, she would need a check-up.
Yes it can, but there may be a more serious cause, either physical or emotional that must be ruled out.
Yes.
