I want to know why I keep gaining weight. How can I figure out what's causing it?
Weight gain cannot always be explained by food intake alone, so sleep, activity, medications, and symptoms should be considered together. After tracking for a period, if a medical cause such as thyroid disease is suspected, it is confirmed through testing and a clinical consultation.
When looking for the cause, rather than concluding with a single word like "constitution," it is safer to separate lifestyle changes and medical possibilities step by step.
- Timing of change: Note when the weight gain began and any related events such as a job change, night shifts, childbirth, menopause, injury, or quitting smoking.
- Lifestyle tracking: Record meal times, beverages and alcohol, late-night snacks, sleep, activity level, and weekly weight trends together.
- Medication review: Inform your clinician about any recently started prescription medications or health functional foods, or any changes in their dosage.
- Accompanying symptoms: If present, severe fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, swelling, menstrual changes, or increased thirst and frequent urination should be evaluated together.
- Test decisions: Based on the consultation, appropriate tests such as thyroid function, blood glucose, lipids, and liver function are selected.
A brief self-check alone cannot diagnose thyroid disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep problems, or medication-related effects. If rapid weight gain is accompanied by shortness of breath or severe swelling, evaluation at a general medical institution is needed first.
At Baekrokdam, after reviewing this information, we assess the suitability of the Baekrok Gambijeong prescription and the direction of lifestyle management. Since causes and responses vary by individual, no specific cause is determined without a clinical consultation.
Clinician review